My new secateurs have arrived. My Niwaki are as beautiful as they are sharp and my favorite new thing.
This week I have felt that winter pruning can begin in earnest. I am getting to grips with long overdue and renovation work on those deciduous shrubs that need a bit of careful attention. I did cut back a Viburnum opulus to within an inch of its life today, which now means that a long forgotten wall is now in full view . I think Vitus Coignetiae is my number one for contender at the moment. However at this time of year you cannot go far wrong with a well pruned Cotoneaster horizontalis with its blood-red berries against the iridescent red, peach and burnt orange foliage.
Light levels have been either full on blue sky, or dull as ditch water this week, with many gardens still full of glowing embers of colour. Or just a variation of brown . This image is from my favorite border in my care. If you have read my blog on stepping into the border it is that one. When the light is right on the Asters and Crocosmia it is simply stunning in its simplicity.
Hosta leaves are still looking good, in their disintegration state of play.
Also stripped down giant lilies were looking good last week.
I look after a garden which belongs to a family with the surname of Wilde. As their garden ventures away from the house, the garden becomes bigger in its capacity to be big and wild. The far side of the stream is amassing Gunnera on an annual basis. I must phone with my latest idea Pampass with Miscanthus , with the strong winter stems of silver birch – all that yellow and white going on. I know it will work.
Just watched the culture show on BBC 2 all about Paul Smith , catch it on iplayer if you can. I have come to the conclusion that we all need to collect to inspire. I gave up the idea of minimalism a long time ago.
Sally Wicks 