This is turning out to be a long winter.The birds are desperate for food and water and the overnight frosts make it impossible to undertake any ground work until early afternoon. Even the plants under cover are frozen in their pots for most of the day. We have however noticed that the sun, when it is not cloud covered, is getting stronger and the daytime light is now extending towards the feel of early springtime.
Discussions are taking place between Iris of Sissinghurst and garden designers/exhibitors for Chelsea 2010. We hope to be able to finalise which plants will be put aside for displays and for exhibiting, in addition to those already committed, by early March 2010. We hope to provide information on the gardens that we will be helping for Chelsea and elsewhere in future news articles.
In the last week of February we undertook our first watering of the plants undercover since before Xmas. We expect the heat of the sun and the longer days will be encouraging plants to start their spring growth and a limited watering should kick start this process. Of course you have to watch the weather forecasts for overnight frosts because the plants would be damaged if watered and then exposed to frosts.
The winter flowering irises are now starting to flower. For example Kilndown, Lazica and Mary Barnard. This is complemented by the reticulata varieties such as Harmony, J.S.Dyt and George. Iris histroides Katherine Hodgkin is also in flower and looking particularly attractive.