Just One More? Oh, Go On Then

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Although we generally think of spring as the time for buying new plants, autumn is also a good time for planting. The soil is still warm, and roots can get settled in without having to meet the heavy demands from new growth above ground. Spring flowering bulbs also need planting now, so websites are awash with pictures to tempt us with how our gardens are going to look early next year. Bare rooted plants can only be sent out in the winter months, while there are other goodies that can only be sent out while they are dormant. So my wallet has been open on several occasions.

Firstly, I bought two hydrangeas with black stems for the front garden. These will give a long season of colour in an area where the planting has deteriorated over the years, and I will add a few shade lovers under them in the spring. Next was a shrub to replace the lilac that keeled over earlier this year, along with some perennials to go in front of it.

I have been adding lilies to my bulb garden, plus three more gooseberry bushes in the fruit cage. Two paeonies arrived from Kelways, and are now in their new homes. Several shrubs are now large enough to host a climber, so that’s six clematis winging their way to Devonia.

Four times I have included a kalmiopsis in a Spring order from Glendoick, and four times the box has arrived with ‘sold out’ marked on the delivery note. On checking their website this autumn, I found it was still available, so it was fifth time lucky.

Remember that new raised bed in the bulb garden?

That takes a LOT of bulbs. Especially small ones. Especially if the nursery drip feeds exciting and rare ones to its website as they become ready to send out.

I visited my friend Gill last week and admired a camellia sasanqua flowering in her garden. Yes, you’ve guessed it – there’s one on its way. The nursery was selling off surplus stock, and it was too good an opportunity to miss (that’s my excuse ….)

And I’ve just seen the Facebook page for Evolution Plants has a paeony for sale that no other nursery in the country stocks. And it’s half price. Just one more? Oh, go on then.