Hello fellow gardeners, When I started to write this newsletter a week ago I could see the pelargoniums blooming on the terrace, the leaves clinging to the trees and my neighbour’s hanging baskets still flowering their socks off. I know I should have been be bubble wrapping the pots that I would be leaving outside over winter and bringing in the dahlia tubers from the greenhouse to dry off in the cellar – but I hadn’t. It was such a wrench to actually dig up the dahlias in the first place as they were flowering so well! This state of affairs is very alien to gardeners – the coming winter slow- down would normally have been threatening   by then and we would have experienced a few frosts. The weather has been so mild this autumn I am now wondering (and somewhat worried) about what we will be facing come mid. December! With climate change a reality it is hard to tell. Working in the wintery conditions we are suddenly faced with is not something I enjoy so I will be finishing all my essential tasks in the greenhouse for the next few days. It does beg the question though as to how much one can do to prepare for the ravages of colder climes but I suppose the old adage still applies that we should hope for the best but plan for the worst. If the weather forecasters on the television are anything to go by we are going to be snowed under soon. I am sure I am not the only one to think that they don’t half exaggerate! If they ‘get it wrong’ we won’t know who to blame because there are so many of them! I heard that a very popular gardener has told all his fans that he will not be heating his greenhouse or shed this winter. I would be really interested to know how he intends to keep his tender perennials ‘ticking over’ during the dark days. Perhaps we will find out in spring….. Whilst we’re waiting, there will be plenty to do in December on our own plots but first, make a date in your diaries for our Christmas event which will be taking place on December 17th  The committee is confident that you will enjoy the entertainment we have lined up for you so why not forget the gripes about the weather men and women and come along and join in the Christmas spirit.

 

Before I give my full attention to Christmas, there will be some tidying up to be done in the garden during December. Tidying the garden and greenhouse has always been a priority for me during the colder months. Cleaning the greenhouse is important because pots, trays, and other surfaces harbour pests and diseases so it is wise to clean all pots with disinfectant and get rid of salts that have built up on them. Windows will also need cleaning too, letting as much light into the space as possible. I am always amazed at how dirty the windows are after the growing season. Water butts will need emptying to prevent excess condensation.  All tools will need maintenance too. I soak secateurs and scissors in white vinegar for a couple of days to remove all rust and grime before sharpening and oiling them. Outside, it is so much nicer to walk down the garden when hedges, evergreens, climbers and lawns are cut and they and the paths are cleared of leaves which can be used to make leaf mould.  However the soil will be much healthier if they are left to rot on beds and borders so that the worms can drag them down into the top layer thus enriching it. You may wish to wait until the spring to clear your herbaceous borders leaving old foliage to protect tender species and for seed heads to provide food for birds when they need it most. Because I have a few borders to look after, I spread the work load by clearing and manuring some areas of the garden in early winter and leave the rest until January and February. Leaves of evergreens are those we won’t have to worry about clearing away. These plants are very noticeable during winter so mine will be pruned to look structured. Those I particularly notice because of their long association with Christmas are Holly and Ivy. Holly (Ilex) and Ivy (Hedera helix) have been used for winter decorations since ancient times. The pointed leaves of Holly symbolize the crown of thorns placed upon the head of Jesus. In fact, it is known as Christdorn in Germany meaning Christ thorn. It was adopted as a decoration in early Christian times from the Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions of warding off evil spirits during the winter solstice celebrations. In Norse mythology holly was associated with Thor, the God of thunder and holly plants grown at home were thought to prevent lightning strikes. The Romans used it to decorate their homes during the festival dedicated to Saturn, the God of agriculture and husbandry. With these associations it is easy to see why it is still seen as an appropriate and colourful ornament for our homes at Christmas.

 

Growing holly in the garden brings us closer to these ancient traditions as well providing us with very good specimens for all year round interest. Ilex make wonderful shrubs of all heights, widths and colours. They give very good privacy and security as perimeter hedges. The varieties I ‘Argentea Marginata’ and I ‘Silver Queen’ are good but Ilex ‘Ferox Argentea although slower growing is very dense making it ideal as a deterrent to intruding man or beast! Holly can be topaired into all manner of shapes. Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ is one of countless cultivars bred from the common holly Ilex aquifolium. It produces lovely gold effects when pruned into balls, tiers and spirals. The joy of using holly for this purpose is that it grows direct from the bud to which it has been clipped, meaning there is little die- back. Despite the name this variety is female and will give you berries even when you have clipped it. Larger cones (if that is what you want) can be grown using the bluer hollies. The now famous Ilex ‘Blue Maid’ and Ilex ‘Blue Stallion’ bred by Kathleen Meserve are now somewhat outdone by the new China hollies: I ‘China Girl’ I ‘China Boy’ and I ‘Blue Princess’ are wonderful for hedges. Ilex ‘Dragon Lady’ has an outstanding pyramidal form. The Japanes holly Ilex crenata ‘Luxus’ and I ‘Dark Green’ of which I have written about in previous newsletters have much smaller leaves and make good substitutes for box in sun or part shade. To prevent it rotting off at the roots ensure that it is planted in free draining soil conditions.