Reclaiming The Silver Birch garden - part 1
By pamd
21 comments
This little bit of garden originally had a very old apple tree in it, when we first moved into our 200yr.plus cottage, nineteen yrs.ago. So I decided to make it into a mini “woodland garden”. No photo’s for this part. Put in a few more shrubs, bulbs, Hellebores & biggest mistake of all Vinca.(Perewinkle). For a few years fine. Then we had a big storm, which brought the apple tree down, huge rootball on end. So, my husband had the bright idea of trying to save it, & with a car jack, bricks, etc. we jacked it up again. Using all sorts of things to keep it upright. Anyway, it seemed to work for a few years, appeared to have re,rooted, & the garden took on the look of a mini woodland. Very pretty.
But, of course the inevitable happened. One calm, summer’s day (I was out) I had a panic phone call from my husband, to say the apple tree had come down again. We don’t know why really, it was such a still day. Just became to old.
So that was that, the tree had to be removed, & of course that spoiled the look, no longer “woodland looking”. So, one day out with a friend, came across this lovely little nursery, &, planted in the grounds a spectacular Silver Birch. So it became “I have to have”. Then I had the idea of buying three, to make a small copse where the apple tree had been.
Only about three feet high to start with & certainly no white trunk, but after a few years, as the nurseryman promised, they started to turn white. Our woodland effect was returning.
But, as we all know, turn your back for awhile & things go beserk. The Vinca mistake. Ivy, Monbretia, few stinging nettles etc. Oh, & a seeded Bay tree & A Myrtle. Which hubby found the wynch very handy to get the trunk & roots out with, but what a backbreaking job. The Vinca, a nightmare.
So, as the next couple of photo’s show, we are clearing the area again to replant with less invasive plants, we hope!!. Watch this space.
3 Mar, 2009
8 likes
More blog posts by pamd
Next post: New Year's Day 2010
Comments
Looks like Vic will be needing a hot bath and maybe a .....massage??? Actually Pam don't let him see that bit haha!
3 Mar, 2009
Vic says he cann't wait for you to visit! Chloris
3 Mar, 2009
Hello bulbaholic, Thank you for your comments, yes the birch trees are staying & the pittosporum, I do have a Daphne (Jacqueling Postille) waiting to go in, so thanks for reminding me. I quite fancy doing a white flowered garden to compliment the white bark of the birch trees.
3 Mar, 2009
I've just posted a picture of ypsilandra thibetica. Difficult to track down but perfect for woodland conditions. My plant is only two years old
3 Mar, 2009
I hope your new plants will behave themselves Pam.
3 Mar, 2009
Thank you Andrewr, I do have it in another part of the garden & had the same thoughts as you. May move it or buy another one!! saw one today.
3 Mar, 2009
So do I Blodyn. PamD
3 Mar, 2009
Looks nice and woodlandy. I know what you mean about Vinca (lesser Periwinkle). I do gardening as my job and I've been asked on many occassions to dig it out but of course I don't give any guarantees that I'll get all the root first time!!
5 Mar, 2009
You are so right. It's rather like bindweed isn't it. I so want to start planting soon but I know if I do too soon & there's any bits of root left they'll sprout up. Thank you for your comment.
5 Mar, 2009
Sorry I forgot the D. It's my age. lol
Hywel .
6 Mar, 2009
I don't mind Blodyn, or should I call you Hywel?. You can call me Pam it's obvious it's my name. Although I wished I'd given my name as Pamina same as the anemonie on the photo.
6 Mar, 2009
I'd rather be called Hywel. Blodyn is my cat's name. I put it when I joined because I thought I just needed some security word. I didn't realise what the site was and that I'd actually be called by my cat's name.
Have a nice day. It's very cold here but maybe spring is just around the corner.
6 Mar, 2009
I've just realised that Hywel, I've replied on your mum's photo. I was the same about what name to use.
Mum looks a lovely lady, so does Blodyn, look lovely I mean. PamD
6 Mar, 2009
Are you having a senior moment Pam...I'm chuckling away here!
6 Mar, 2009
they are lovely trees arent they pam, especially when the bark turns white
15 Jan, 2010
Yes Sanbaz, the're trunks are bigger this year & I cann't wait to see if all the snowdrops I planted come up, sometimes it seems to be a few years for them to settle.
15 Jan, 2010
look forward to a pic when they show pam :o))
15 Jan, 2010
Me too Sandra, just catching up on blogs and things. It really is becoming a full time job lol. Did Chloris ever come Pam?? She's obviously a very generous lady:-)
17 Feb, 2010
Yes she did he didn't get the massage though
17 Feb, 2010
:-(
17 Feb, 2010
Recent posts by pamd
- Another lucky win
8 Feb, 2014
- Three Flower Competion
7 Feb, 2013
- "One thing leads to another"
11 Jan, 2013
- Tulips from Amsterdam ~ Tra ~ La
12 Apr, 2011
- St. Pirans Day March 5th.
5 Mar, 2011
- A snowdrop afternoon in Cornwall
22 Feb, 2011
Members who like this blog
-
Gardening with friends since
4 Feb, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
12 Feb, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
29 Mar, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
6 Feb, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
17 Feb, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
22 Jan, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
7 May, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
1 Apr, 2009
The birch trees are staying, I trust, Pam? You have a very nice space for a woodland garden. You can use hellebores and a Daphne laureola (spurge laurel)beneath the trees and, of course I have to say, snowdrops and daffodils for early colour. I am sure that many more suggestions will be forthcoming.
3 Mar, 2009