Look closely and you’ll already see signs of spring in the garden.
If you’re one of those people for whom winter is too long and dreary, buds offer the certainty that it won’t last for ever. Here’s what’s budding in my garden now.
Chaenomeles – flowering quince
I think these bright green buds look like miniature sprouts. If you’re a sprout lover they may get your mouth watering for Christmas dinner. I’m not a sprout fan but I am excited to know that the line of shrubs under this bay window will soon be ablaze with the rusty red rosebud flowers of the Chaenomeles japonica.
For those unfamiliar with this plant, here’s a picture of the quince flowers in bloom from last spring.
Witch Hazel – Hamemelis x intermidia ‘Pallida’
I have one witch hazel in my garden – behind a bench alongside my shady shrubby path.
I would love a few more but they are rather expensive. I planted one last year to see how it fared before risking buying any more. It’s still pretty small but is beginning to spread. I look forward to a time when it will grow more – potentially filling a space 3m x 3m.
This week I took a close look at my plant and was overjoyed to see lots of happy buds developing. The picture below shows a close-up of the flowers when open. I think they look like slightly sparse cheer-leaders’ pom-poms.
Camellias
I was a bit worried that I would be heading for a spring with few Camellia flowers this year. I have know for a long time that Camellias need water in summer to ensure good bud development. Knowing something and acting on that knowledge are two different things though and in this summer’s heatwave I neglected the Camellia, deploying the watering can elsewhere.
Still, 4 of my 8 plants have a good number of buds and others have one or two. As most are planted on north facing walls, they are spared direct sunshine and the soil stays pretty damp.
My Camellia in full bloom Spring 2017
Wisteria sinensis
Wisteria never rests. It’s an all night party girl.
It clings onto its leaves well into November before depositing them in a soggy heap on the floor just when you’re thoroughly sick of leaf raking. This one still has many leaves still attached – it refuses to disrobe. When it does, and you think it’s finally sleeping off a night on the tiles, look closely and you’ll see next year’s buds already developing. It’s preparing its party frock for next year so it can thoroughly show off next May.
Magnolia ‘Kobus’
I have three magnolias, including this lovely multi-stemmed Magnolia ‘Kobus’. It’s happy as larry planted within a courtyard area carved out at the top of the drive as part of my greenhouse project build.
It’s nerve wracking planting new trees and this one had the hardest of summers to contend with during the heatwave. I prioritised watering here and have no concerns about the health of the tree as it’s smothered in furry buds.
This variety of Magnolia has slightly smaller flowers than the usual large goblets that you see around but they are a very pretty shape and lovely creamy white colour. I can’t wait to see these open next spring but as a reminder here’s a picture from last year.
Magnolia Kobus – simple, pure white and enchanting
Hazel – Coryllus avellana
Most people only notice Hazel catkins once they start to elongate in January, developing sulphur yellow hues and blowing pollen when shaken by the wind.
I also like them pre-christmas when they are still a pinky grey colour. They look like stubby little caterpillars. I often cut hazel branches to use in christmas decorations or here as twiggy supports for indoor bulbs. I’ve noticed that this arrests their development entirely and they never progress to the yellow phase – but they can be used all winter in various ways indoors.
I’ve written a piece on hazel and another twiggy bough – twisted willow – and how I use them in winter decorations. If you’re interested you can read it here.
Six on Saturday is a weekly meme – take a look at the comments at the base of host The Propagator to see more ‘sixes’ from other keen gardeners from all over the world.
Lovely Six this week about close-ups of buds. Except Hamamelis, I have all the others … or rather I had … the flowering quince is sick and I don’t know if it will survive … I transplanted it a few years ago and the place still doesn’t seem to please it.
Strange about the quince – they always seem so robust to me. Do I see a witch hazel in your future?…
I volunteer at Mt Edgcumbe to work on their National Collection of Camellias and the only plants there that suffered in the dry were the ones planted in the last two or three years. Some of them were hard hit. Everything else seems fine and well budded, even in competition with Beech roots, which I find quite surprising, and impressive.
Interesting info as ever Jim and thinking about it my newer plants are the ones with few buds. Now I want to go to Mt Edgcombe to see the Camellias!
Evening Katharine, a hopeful six. I used to have a witchhazel. It was rubbish, I dug it up. Yours looks much more promising. Your magnolia looks splendid in that spot, very neat and tidy, and your wisteria also looks fab. I love it when the buds start showing. Been inspecting my many clematis to see if can see any. Not yet…
Maybe a bit early for the clematis but then it has been so mild hasn’t it? Sad for your witch hazel. I wonder why it was unhappy.
These are all really good garden denizens, but you’ve helped me see them in a new way. Quince buds as sprouts. Wisteria as a party girl. Bringing hazel inside. Really lovely Six.
I lie to challenge you Lora!
Plenty of promise in your garden Katharine. Witch hazel and Magnolia are on my wish list, but I garden on chalk and have no room even for a small tree at present.
Thanks Ciar – Yes, wanting something and finding the right plant for the right place are very different things.
Lovely Six, so much promise for the future. I love the Magnolia buds
Yes the Magnolia buds are so furry – lovely.
It seems crazy to be thinking of Spring with Christmas just around the corner, but you’re right. If we look closely there are signs of spring everywhere. And I have to agree that your Magnolia Kobus is enchanting. Thanks for sharing!