Green Fingers: Some useful plants for the time of year
If we want some scent and flowers during the winter months then we might include some Narcissi, Snowdrops, Algerian Iris, Viola odorata, Christmas Box, Daphne (pictured), Camellia, Mahonia or Witch Hazel.
It is an in between time now, moving swiftly from warmer months into wetter, colder periods and we have really appreciated the occasional beautiful clear days. Our moods appear to move with the weather so it can be tricky to remain in high spirits when we have prolonged periods of wet, cold and windy conditions.
One of the winter survival codes is to be rested, well fed, warm and dry and the easiest way to do this is by staying indoors when conditions are bad outside.
Now, in addition, we know of the benefits of being outside, even for a few minutes, so when there is a suitable opportunity, get out there and scurry back inside if you have to if it suddenly turns rotten. Trouble is, as a race, we are becoming more demanding in what we want and even if we take all the advice above on board, we want more, and this is where some garden activity can come into play.
If we want some scent and flowers during the winter months then we might include some Narcissi, Snowdrops, Algerian Iris, Viola odorata, Christmas Box, Daphne, Camellia, Mahonia or Witch Hazel. Now fragrance can be subdued and you might have to venture outside to appreciate the best scent. While this cannot be appreciated from indoors you can bring a few flowering sprigs inside and get the best of both worlds.
Actually, for pruning, this is what we do for many of our plants and for the most part there is no further cutting required.
We need a prolonged period of warm, dry weather in Ireland to obtain those fiery autumn colours and it can be hit and miss at the best of times. This year we have had some of the best colours ever, including an abundance of berries on a wide range of plants - hawthorns, cotoneasters, hollies and viburnums to name a few.
There are also a new group of shrubs that have proved to be successful with colourful flowers and berries, and that is the evergreen Hypericum inodorum, which is a naturally occurring European native hybrid between H. Androsaemum and H. hircinum. They were initially bred for the cut flower market and they can be seen in mixed bunches wherever cut flowers are sold. They have numerous small, yellow, starry flowers from late spring until autumn and produce long-lasting oval berries in red, orange, yellow, white and pink, depending on variety.
As a guide they all have either ‘Magical, Mystical or Miracle’ after the name Hypericum and are now available for gardens and make attractive shrubs around 1-1.2m (3-4’) high and wide, and you can pick for indoor decoration too.
There was a flurry of activity planting spring flowering bulbs, winter onions and garlic, and that time is almost over but you might still be able to obtain supplies if you missed the opportunity before. Do gather excess leaves to help feed the ground or make compost.
If you have any queries or comments you are welcome to share them with me on 051-384273 or orchardstowngardencentre@hotmail.com and if of general interest I will include them in a future article.
