Daphne odora 'Marriani'. I've been waiting two years for this to flower and now it's living up to expectations. I've planted it on a corner of two paths, where I pass often, and the intoxicating scent lingers around the area. I asked MrC if he'd noticed it but he hadn't...
Looking around to see what might go with it, I found this little collection. The Daphne is almost lost in here but of course, the scent wafts around wherever I place my little jug.
I've included Hellebores, Penstemon foliage, a few Tete a Tete, an amazing little Pieris flower and some Laurel flowers. I thought I'd try them for something different.
As we all strive to keep Hellebore flowers alive in vases, against their will, this week I've learnt a new idea. Several people have reported scoring a vertical line down two sides of the stem before soaking in deep water. Using a scalpel. I don't know if it will work but it's worth a try or perhaps we should accept their beauty is fleeting and cannot be preserved. They do last better if cut later when the seed pods are forming.
As you can see the sun is shining. We've had an amazing few days of weather, coats were discarded and it felt like spring. I'm not saying this weather is right but we have enjoyed it. We've had warm daytime temperatures and often frosts at night.
This is the first week I've noticed plants actively growing. Little seedlings which have been sitting in pots all winter are suddenly putting on growth and tiny leaves are showing on shrubs.
We got stuck into several projects one of which include digging up nettles. It was strangely satisfying as the roots are so shallow. The longest one I pulled was as tall as me, that's not hard, but impressive anyway. I hope I've got rid of the worst ones. We've now covered the area with cardboard for now and it will become my new dahlia bed in time for the late May plant out.
Lots to look forward too.
What fun you have had pulling out those nettles!! Sounds as if you and I might be in the same ballpark heightwise... ;) How exciting to have your daphne flowering after 2 years of waiting - your vase and the plant itself must smell gorgeous. You have added quite a little collection to it - and what an intriguing suggestion for hellebores... I have tried piercing the top of the stem with a needle but that didn't really help - so, slicing it ALL the way up the stem on 2 sides? Won't they both just curl up then? I will definitely give it a go though
ReplyDeleteI think it's more of a score than a slice. Just enough to slit the outer stem. I guess experimenting is a good idea.
DeleteI grew Daphne odora in my former garden and this winter's half-decent rain has me thinking of trying it again in my current garden, which could use a bit more scent. I've had little experience with using hellebores in a vase but I'll try your trick next time I have a stem or two to cut.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed every year by the way winter shrubs pump out scent.
DeleteA beautiful vase, and an interesting idea for preserving hellebores. Do report back if it made a difference! Pulling nettles sounds like hard work - I know how long those roots can be, but as tall as you?! Yikes! I will be trying out the cardboard trick for the first time on a freshly dug patch this spring. Fortunatley there were no nettles or horrible weeds there, just grass.
ReplyDeleteThe roots were very shallow so it wasn't too bad. It's not like bindweed which goes five feet down as well as sideways. Cardboard is my best friend in the battle against the weeds.
DeleteSuch a pretty Spring posy and nothing compares with daphne for fragrance. The hellebore trick is worth trying.
ReplyDeleteI've tried a few today so I'll see what happens.
DeleteI love all the Daphnes but sadly it is much to hot and dry for them here. Bob Flowerdew always says he would actively grow nettles if they didn't grow as weeds because their leaves are so good in compost. It will be great to know what Dahlias you plan to grow.
ReplyDeleteWe still have plenty of nettles, probably enough to keep Bob Flowerdew happy. I can give you an idea of the dahlias next week.
DeleteI wonder whether you have made some nettle soup or tea? We are not as high as you and haven't had frosts but the sunshine continues nicely. Your arrangement is delightful...the Pieris is most effective, and a very good everygreen shrub in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't much green on the nettles as we had been storing bits and pieces on top of them. Lots of root but not much leaf. This is a shrub which my Mum gave me as it wasn't doing well for her. It obviously likes it here.
DeleteThat's an interesting suggestion regarding the hellebore flowers Alison. You must report back. I've battled with a good few nettles over the years and getting the better of them is a most satisfactory state of affairs. How pleasing it must be that your daphne has lived up to expectations :)
ReplyDeleteLet's hope I have got the better of the nettles. There are a few other areas where they like to lurk and catch bare ankles so I need to get onto those too!
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