You can almost tell what kind of weather we are having by the way the blooms of these snowdrops behave.
SNOWDROPS: Enjoy your snowdrops. Notice how, on mild days, their petals stick out like tiny propellers, and how in the cold they fold down and huddle together for added warmth. You can almost tell what kind of weather we are having by the way the blooms of these behave! Notice also how evergreen shrubs fold their leaves like half-closed umbrellas in cold weather in their attempt to offer as little surface area as possible to drying winds and cruel frosts.
LILY BEETLE: Be aware that, due to the rather mild conditions to date, lily beetles are once again active in the garden. Last month, in mid-January whilst adding mulch to the crown of deeply-planted lily bulbs, two small, distinctively coloured young beetles were trying their best to hide amid the application. Their bright scarlet wing cases made identification easy. These Europe-wide pests are still in the top three of garden pests following slugs (snails) and vine weevil.
BIRDS pose a threat to the early blooms of crocus, but black thread strung criss-cross above the buds will deter them although it can spoil one’s appreciation of such small flowering plants. Birds tend to attack yellow flowers more frequently than others, so it may be worthwhile leaving some unprotected in the hope that they’ll let the other colours alone.
IRIS: If you are growing small, early bulbs such as Iris reticulata, Iris danfordiae, or Crocus imperati in the open garden give them a slate or gravel mulch now in order to protect their blooms from mud splashes. If you get the opportunity, give them a feed with a liquid fertiliser (Miracle Grow or Phostrogen) for it will boost their ability and performance in the weeks ahead. Conditions during autumn may have caused nutrient leaching from the soil and artificial application is the only way of renewing these quickly. Incidentally, Iris reticulata gives off an unbelievably powerful fragrance from those tiny refined blooms if you encourage pots into bud in a cool greenhouse and then allow them to open fully in a cool room indoors.
COOL HOSTAS: A single established hosta, lifted and divided now before the leaves expand will make you ten and more for repositioning about the garden or for giving to friends and visitors. If the clump is large (as it should be) lift it as a whole, then use an old saw to slice through the root-ball, cutting it like a cake into as many sections as you want. Each piece should however, have a least three growth buds and roots attached. Replant these at the same level having enriched the ground in the meantime with as much manure or compost that you can spare. No portion of manure is too much for these princely plants whose magnificent leaves in shades of lime-green, yellow, cream, blue, even dark slate are a joy to behold. All will be found cool, luscious, and utterly desirable. These are popular plants with those who have shady, damp places to fill , but how sad to see them at less than their best due to lack of feeding and regular division. Be aware that old, established clumps develop hard, woody centres and the only way to prevent deterioration is to divide every third or fourth year during late winter.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, February 04, 2012
