Spring Clean and The end of an Era

All change! Our French garden which was planted 17 years ago was once a joy but box blight has ravaged the central parterres. So at dawn on Tuesday the dreaded moment arrived and out came the box; so too the hornbeam towers. Fastigiate yew will replace them without the need for trimming twice a year, while lavender will replace the central box on either side of the path. It is a warm, sheltered spot and the lavender will be good for the bees, good for my cakes and will still provide a little French influence.
Elsewhere in the garden ceanothus, buddleja globosa, cistus and solanum glasnevin have all fallen pray to the winter weather. Its a great shame because we are very fond of them all. I just can't imagine May without the glorious blue of Ceanothus so hopefully my replacements will do well.

The Green Green Box of Home

The box is fast putting on new growth and looks so so green. In fact,unbelievably green. At the same time the hornbeam towers and hedge are just coming into leaf. The whole effect is an explosion of green. Spring green!

box blighty

Fifteen years ago we planted the box parterres in our formal garden. Over the last three years, sad signs of box blight have appeared in the upper portion and various attempts to conceal and replant have gradually failed. So last weekend we decided to remove about fifty plants and try and make good a repair at the beginning of one of the 'S' designs.

It was a huge task, but by the end of Sunday the job was complete with new membrane down, all concealed with gravel.