Sunshine and showers kind of weather . Beautiful clouds .
This is the most darkest dampest part of the garden , behind the garage . Therefore it is the perfect place for growing ferns and shade loving plants .
During the height of summer , when it becomes unbearably hot and very often we'll have drought . I can move some of my plants in pots and tubs onto the bench in there , to keep cool .
I have several Dicksonia antarctica tree ferns in there and a Dicksonia squarrosa .
All around is a steep bank and Cornish hedge . Behind this are a mixed variety of trees including several coppiced Sycamore trees .
I need to climb in there and lop out some of the new fast growing Sycamore branches which I noticed are growing through the crowns of the tree ferns !
In another area of the garden I usually like to leave most of the old tree fern leaves on as a "skirt" underneath the new leaves . When you stand back and look at it from a distance , I think it looks fabulous .
However inside the fern garden , that doesn't work . It is more intimate and one is compelled to observe the plants closer up .
Last year I was lucky the tree surgeons left me a good pile of woodchip after they finished coppicing work on some of our surrounding trees .
I took tons of it down and spread it around in the fern garden . It nearly killed me ! Today there are some interesting toadstools popping up . Doing their work of breaking down the woodchip . There are also seedlings sprouting . Probably Sycamore , I will rake it all over , and when it has finally all broken down , I intend to spread it around the tree ferns .
Anyway , here we go ....
I had to climb in , right around the back . I actually made a video of this which Google then wouldn't let me share . (Too long apparently 4 minutes 21 seconds )
And then I made a second video ( one minute and three seconds ) when I realised I was standing right beside a hedgehog ! Oh! My heart was racing !
If I can figure it out I will upload these later on . I'm sure there is a way ..there's just got to be a way !
Anyway .... It really made my day !
Dicksonia antarctica
Can you see how the Sycamore branches are growing over and through the tree fern crosiers . I should have delt with this problem before the tree ferns started to wake up .
During the winter , If we get a freeze or cold weather warning , then I usually throw old sacks over the crown . I didn't have to this year .
We had some pretty violent storms and fierce scorching gales ..but no real freeze as such .
I had to be very careful not to break these new shoots off . I'm afraid one did succumb . It was hard to reach up there .
The tree ferns are about 25 years old . They were just tiny things in 3" plastic flower pots .
Dicksonia squarrosa gorgeousness ! Trust me ..you want this one !
It is a little bit more tender than Dicksonia antarctica , but doing well in my sheltered little fern garden .
Osmunda regalis
Another form of Osmunda regalis . And lots of native English ferns actually growing out of the bank and Cornish hedge . I have long forgotten their names !
I have some new ones waiting to be planted out too .
There used to be a small pond made out of a washing up bowl that I made with my Grandson . We found frogs too ! We had such fun doing that . I might make another one with my Grand-daughter ....writes it down in my little red garden note book .
Hands sore from pulling stinging nettles....even through thick gloves ! Pain !
Now somewhere over here is the enchanting Athyrium niponicum var.pictum metallicum . No-where to be seen . It's not woken up yet !
It's another one you are going to want .🌿You can't have it until you have learnt how to say it ...and spell it . I will post pics when she arises ! 🌿
I had to prune back bushes from around the summerhouse window . We now have more light in there and a lovely view . Need more time to sit and sew .
I still have a lot more tidying up to do . Brambles .
I adore ferns , I really do ; but I have allowed a few other shade and damp loving plants .
There are a couple of Hydrangeas and a nice Acer that has coral new shoots .
Robin is following me everywhere I go now .
Cyperus papyrus is very elegant ....until it's not ! Then it's very simple to snip out the tatty leaves .
There is a lovely yellow Iris , also very tall and elegant . I think it is a wild one .
Deep in the shade there is Arum italicum "pictum" .
Another weird and wonderful plant is this one ....
🐭 Arisarum proboscideum 🐁
It is more commonly known as "The Mouse-Tail Plant "
And then while I was up and around the back of the tree ferns lopping out brambles that I noticed the hedgehog bumbling along .
I chose to film it rather than take a picture and then couldn't upload it , possibly because I'm stupid . My husband calls me "a Billy " as in "Silly Billy " So sorry , no photo .
I decided to finish off at this point , not wanting to disturb the Hedgehog and possibly a nearby nest maybe .
I have a couple more new ferns to plant out in there and also my new Hostas !
Oh my goodness ! I'm getting "into" Hostas !
These are miniature ones .....now I want giant ones ....is there even such a thing as a giant Hosta ?
I want them ! I want them all ! 🤩
Then I think about 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
Presently safe from those slimy creatures , on the seat of a plastic chair ....and the pots laced with slug pellets .
Obviously they can't stay there !
🎵🎶 I think I'd better work it out again ! 🎶🎵 ( Oliver - that fabulous musical )
🌿 🐌🌿
