Hostafan - bog brushes or not, you’re lucky to be in the warmer part of the U.K. where there’s a good chance plants arnt wiped out and you don’t have to protect everything each winter, that saying one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure comes to mind.
I have many plants which need protection. I grow bananas, gingers, alocasias, colocasias, all of which need winter protection. Please do not presume to know anything about me, what I grow, or how I care for them.
I don't like Cordylines either - they don't suit my conditions, so they're only good for temporary displays. However, the problem arises when they get wet, warm conditions, then it swings the other way. They aren't suited to that which is why so many of them look so dreadful just now. It's also why they're suited to coastal conditions - wet and windy is fine if the soil's very light and free draining. Inland and/or at any altitude, or further north, and it's a different story. They can't manage wet then very cold - that freeze/thaw cycle. They often look terrible here after winter, but it's when that freezing is more prolonged that they fail, although some will come back from the base if the freeze isn't too severe or prolonged. There are numerous threads about them this year.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So many gardeners have posted problems with Cordylines this year. The combination of very wet weather followed by very cold weather is the problem. They are from the southern hemisphere so it is wrong to assume they will always do well in our climate. Shoots should reappear at the base in spring if they are alive and a chance to start again. Lots of threads on this subject.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I think it's difficult to find your gardening mojo at this time of year @Heather Reed. Personally l'm itching to get going but for me it's far too soon to start sowing, planting, pruning etc. I usually find that when March arrives my mojo returns. Fingers crossed that it does the same this year
@AnniD I know it’s still quite early but usually I’m a lot like yourself 😆 literally checking on things and willing them along - planning things out etc but i just can’t seem to find any interest at all… hopefully in a couple more months things might have changed.
@borgadr I love a nice big cordyline especially when they are in flower and they are humming with honey bees…. I hope yours all stay fit and well.
Sounds like you’ve done very well in Kent…. It’s like opening the door on the freezer most mornings here in Manchester, I’d still not say it’s been massively cold compared to some years but it has been dry on the whole… I’m ready for some sun and heat now I’m at a loss at what to do in the garden this year now completely lost my mojo
I know how you feel Heather. I felt the same right through the summer when other areas were getting rain (even London) that always seemed to miss us here - that feeling of helplessness as the garden faded away. The flip side is our kinder winters. You'll get your mojo back when the temperatures pick up (not long now) just as I did when the rains finally came in mid September, raring to go again for a fresh start in a new year.
I have been doing alot of gardening this week in the South Midlands. When I worked as a gardener I needed work in the colder months too. As long as I could feel my fingers[nearly chopped one off once they were so numb] I worked.
I do grow alot of deciduous grasses so time has been taken up clearing them.When the ground is frozen or very wet I resort to my garden note books and do some research. August is always a good month for checking out any gaps in the borders so this is noted. In the winter I make plans for what will fill these spaces. Taking time over this is far more benficial than going to the GC and just choosing something. Planning for some creative pots can also be done now. Also thoughts for growing something for the first time?
A few years ago I changed my garden entirely planning over the winter, anything that struggled went and I looked for something more suitable. Plants that I knew would do better else where were moved. Favourites that did well were split. I tried to create a rhythm of planting to give shape to the whole garden during the winter.
Gardening isn't just for the warmer months having plants with interest all year round can help you feel that there is no gap and gardening is there for you twelve months of the year.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@GardenerSuze, good philosophy. I have no place for something that doesn't want to live with me and our ever-diminishing wildlife needs an all seasons garden
Posts
Please do not presume to know anything about me, what I grow, or how I care for them.
However, the problem arises when they get wet, warm conditions, then it swings the other way. They aren't suited to that which is why so many of them look so dreadful just now. It's also why they're suited to coastal conditions - wet and windy is fine if the soil's very light and free draining. Inland and/or at any altitude, or further north, and it's a different story. They can't manage wet then very cold - that freeze/thaw cycle. They often look terrible here after winter, but it's when that freezing is more prolonged that they fail, although some will come back from the base if the freeze isn't too severe or prolonged.
There are numerous threads about them this year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Lots of threads on this subject.
Personally l'm itching to get going but for me it's far too soon to start sowing, planting, pruning etc.
I usually find that when March arrives my mojo returns. Fingers crossed that it does the same this year
hopefully in a couple more months things might have changed.
I do grow alot of deciduous grasses so time has been taken up clearing them.When the ground is frozen or very wet I resort to my garden note books and do some research. August is always a good month for checking out any gaps in the borders so this is noted. In the winter I make plans for what will fill these spaces. Taking time over this is far more benficial than going to the GC and just choosing something. Planning for some creative pots can also be done now. Also thoughts for growing something for the first time?
A few years ago I changed my garden entirely planning over the winter, anything that struggled went and I looked for something more suitable. Plants that I knew would do better else where were moved. Favourites that did well were split. I tried to create a rhythm of planting to give shape to the whole garden during the winter.
Gardening isn't just for the warmer months having plants with interest all year round can help you feel that there is no gap and gardening is there for you twelve months of the year.
In the sticks near Peterborough