JEARRARD'S HERBAL
25th December 2022
Galanthus 'Three Ships' .
An extremely sunny and rainy week. Extreme in the sense that the rain, though sporadic, has fallen in torrents. The sun, though low in the sky, has been bright enough to make me wear sunglasses while driving.
It has felt like a very benign week. It isn't entirely true, but the rain fell through the night and didn't wake me. The sun shone every time I went outside.
I have been dithering, and not looking in the greenhouse too closely. Radiation frost had done some damage last week, and it was more obvious this week. I put some fleece over things
and reminded myself that it is better to anticipate the damage than to try and remedy it. It's a sensible approach, but I won't remember. We haven't had very low temperatures here. I
don't think that the greenhouse dropped much below zero, if at all. However there has been significant radiation frost damage. Some things won't recover, and some of those things won't be missed.
It has been educational, but not catastrophic.
A warm week in the garden has seen a lot of new growth. There are enough snowdrop noses poking through the soil to give a sense that spring is on the move. Another cold spell
would pause progress, but not change the cheerful tone.
Galanthus 'Three Ships' has delivered on its promise to arrive at Christmastide. I have had a single flower looking lonely for a couple of weeks, but in the last few days
there have been a lot more buds opening. There hasn't been enough sun yet to stretch the tepals wide like snowflakes, or perhaps I wasn't there when it happened.
25th December 2022
Correa alba 'Pinkie' .
Between the sun and the rain, there has been some significant wind. It must have happened through the night, and it wasn't blustery enough to wake me, but it
has removed a couple of sheets of plastic from the Hedychium house roof. It doesn't matter, there were a few sheets missing anyway, but it did allow more
damage from the radiation frost. The Hedychium that remain in there have been cut to the ground. They will all recover, and it might
encourage me to find more space for them outside.
When I first started clearing space in there, I planted a number of Clivia seedlings. They have done well for several years, but this time I think the frost got to them.
Some have distinctly darkened leaves. I like to think they will throw it off but I know I'm deluding myself. The plants will get a set-back but hopefully they will pull through.
It's a pity because the Clivia were just getting into good condition again after some difficult years, but it reminds me to take more care. I was warned about the approaching cold
and did nothing.
Among the Clivia I have a few Correa species. Correa alba 'Pinkie' has been the best, coming into flower in late autumn and continuing through to spring. It isn't hardy outside
for me but it survives with the minimum protection, by the open door of the greenhouse. I say open door, it doesn't actually have a door. Currently it doesn't even have a roof.
25th December 2022
Camellia transnokoensis .
The same sense of promise that has been dwelling on the ground around G. 'Three Ships' has been glowing from the buds of Camellia transnokoensis.
They started to swell at the start of November. The silvery pearl of bud scales opened slightly to reveal a hint of the pink tipped petals within.
As they passed into December the buds have filled the branches with elegant, pink-tipped wonder. Camellia transnokoensis is a delightful
plant at every season, but early December found it filled with a heavy promise that seemed unsurpassable.
In perfect time for Christmas, the first flower has opened. It has reminded me that there is much more to come.
It is a tall, narrow shrub and every year it seems to get better. It is a bit hemmed in now by other things and I might have to consider moving it.
Sometimes, when moving large plants, it is difficult to find a large enough space. In this case the problem will be finding a space that is special enough
to grow a wonderful Camellia.
25th December 2022
Galanthus 'Santa Claus' .
I spent the night sleeplessly, listening for the distant sound of reindeer, the distinctive scrape of a sleigh landing on the roof. I didn't hear it. Santa visited, but as always he did so discreetly.
Arrival and departure passed without me noticing. It's a good thing, I have only just repaired the roof. I'm not suggesting that Santa caused the problem up there,
just that he visits and I've repaired the roof. Coincidence. Pure coincidence (but it would make an interesting insurance claim).
Out in the garden Snowdrop Santa arrived in the middle of December and has been hanging around for a week waiting for the moment to be right. As a snowdrop, I know nothing about it.
I bought it on the strength of the name alone. Who wouldn't want Santa Claus in their garden?
At present it is a single bulb but it leaves me in a quandary. Perhaps one Santa is enough. If I had a dozen it might be very confusing. Christmas lunch is delightful,
but a dozen of them would be horrific.
The short days are flashing past. Time is escaping like the air from my lawnmowers tyres. The Nerine need watering. It's a good job to do on a mild and relaxed afternoon.
On the other hand, lunch needs digesting. There is some serious sitting to be done.