After the rain

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After a (for Central England) long dry spell, we finally had some rain last night. It was much needed, as fields and gardens alike are coping with a very dry year.

When gathering my tools to head out this morning, I walked past this little beauty. The raindrops nestling on the leaves caught my eye. Consider it as a friendly gesture after yesterday's pictured.



Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (spurge)

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (spurge)

 One problem with spurges is that they can really spread themselves around and quickly take over a border. Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' is much better behaved and I find the odd seedling but there is none of that "constantly pulling out bits of plant" business.

The foliage is bluegreen tinged with a deep red. It is evergreen and thrives in dappled shade. In Spring it has gorgeous limegreen flowerheads that seem to be suspended above the leafy canopy. Once faded I simply cut off the flowered stems. That's it until next year.

I did not get a chance to inspect the rest of my garden but had a quick peek in the coldframe. The peas sown about 10 days ago have all germinated. Yes, satisfied grin on face, 100% germination rate.

In case you do not get what the fuss is about, let me explain. I trialled a short variety called 'Douce Provence'. This is sown in Spring for Summer harvesting. I needed two attempts to get about five pea plants. I binned the seeds. And started again, this time using 'Kelvedon Wonder'. They did better. By July it is too late in the season and peas for an Autumn harvest have to be sown. 'Ambassador' is the variety I chose.

Pea 'Ambassador' ten days after sowing

This is what I did this time:

• root trainers
• slug pellets
• cover
• placed in open cold frame

I think the only difference (apart from the different variety) was that the cover was popped on the root trainers. But really this should make no difference at all because you can sow peas straight in the ground and this is how most people would sow them. I would love to hear your theory. 

Lest I forget

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It would not be the first time that I forget sow peas for autumn and to take cuttings of penstemons.

The rain forecast for this afternoon did not materialise so I loaded a frame of root trainers with pea 'Ambassador', a variety to be sown in July, ready for picking in October. I had already sown a big batch at the start of the month with great success but they went to the veg plot in the rectory. As I like peas just as much as my clients, I am glad I remembered to sow them today. Four books of root trainers seemed a bit measly (plus the spacers that I finally acquired don't work very well), so I filled the whole frame.

Pea 'Ambassador'

The other job that I have on occasion forgotten, is to take cuttings of penstemons. I am particularly fond of Penstemon 'Raven', a tall variety with large dark purple flowers. Alas it is not as hardy as some cultivars. As I use this variety in several gardens and struggled in Spring to replace plants lost to the harsh winter, I am upping my odds this time by taken cuttings from side shoots. They were inserted in fresh potting compost within minutes of being cut, watered and put in a ziplock bag to conserve moisture. Fingers crossed they will root.