Tree Following March 2015 - Sorbus Autumn Spire

Buds March 2015

My rowan tree, Sorbus Autumn Spire, is showing the minutest signs that spring is advancing. The tiniest of speck of green is proof that those leaves are about to burst.  If you look closely at the bud on the right you can just make it out.  The remaining buds on the tree are still tightly closed. I may have been a tad hasty in hoping that those buds would have burst by now.  Joining in with Lucy's Tree Following meme will go a long way in educating me in the tree's cycle of life.  Although I am only posting about one particular tree, I am observing others and taking notes.  Not something I've ever done before.  The wee coconut feeder continues to be well used by the smaller birds.  I had trialed a small suet feeder here too but I worried about the detrimental effect 30+ starlings would have on my fragile wee tree.  It's probably tougher than I think but i am not willing to take that chance.    

Sorbus Autumn Spire

At the beginning of the year, I envisaged snowdrop naturalising around the base. I've been busying myself lately by lifting and dividing a few of the more mature clumps of Galanthus nivalis. There has been plenty to go around.  This small grouping should fill out over the next few years.  It always amazes me just how little G. nivalis flinch when lifted from the ground in their prime.  I think technically you are supposed to wait until the flowers are about to go over but I generally tend to seize the moment as and when and have never found it hinders them the following year.

I am trialing some Eranthis in this spot.  I mentioned in my previous post that this area can be prone to the occasional water logging.  Everything I try here is experimental for the first year or so.  Over the years I've had failures and as my experience and knowledge grows I am having more positive results. The snowdrops will fair just fine, they cope with the same conditions further down the border. It will be a long wait until next year to see how the Eranthis do.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Galanthus nivalis, Eranthis cilicica and Primula denticulata Alba

Primula denticulata Alba are one of the successful plants I've trialed here.  Growing here for 3 years now, they are now spreading themselves along the stone edge of the border.  Trollius, Ligularia and Astilble that provide early and late summer blooms are as yet showing no signs of new growth.  In the gap to the left, last year's experiment, Darmera peltata, is not showing either.  The soil is probably not warm enough quite yet.  I was given a piece of this by a friend a couple of years back, I grew it on in a pot until it was bigger.  Last spring was it's first in the ground and I look forward to those huge architectural leaves adding a bit of impact this year.

Over the years it has been difficult choosing plants that thrive in this spot.  Conditions here vary, depending on rain fall.  They cover both ends of the scale.  Moisture can be excessive or the ground is very hard and dry.  Since it's easier to introduce moisture than it is to take it away (without prohibitive costs that is) I opt for plants that cope with the water rather than those that don't.  The excessive rainfall of 2012 saw this area under water for almost the whole summer.  The Philadelphus, Persicaria (growing nearby) and Primula are all the remain post 2012.

I am hopeful there will be more to report next month and just in case you missed the link at the top of the post, please join me and other garden bloggers who on the 7th (or thereabouts) of each month link their post to Loose and Leafy's Tree Following meme.  See you there!