Progress in the front border

April 15th 2009 by maggi

 Since my last entry we have measured the border. It is 40 feet long and 2 feet deep and is taking a lot of filling. The Japanese anemone is still popping through all over the place but I keep on trying to dig it out and I hope I'm not deluding myself but it does seem to be weakening. Although a little bit of couch is coming back that is digging out well so that too is good news.

The paeony is looking much happier as it is getting more light since the tree has been pruned. The tree itself is looking better than it has for years too and is full of blossom. Some sort of bulb has come up among the crocuses. I'm not sure at the moment what it is and I'm quite certain that I didn't put it there. Photos to follow when it is in flower. Some tulips I'd forgotten about are looking good also bluebells. Again photos when there are in flower as I would like to know whether they are English or Spanish.

I have planted some nerines which are showing, chocolate cosmos which are just showing too and something else, I can't remember what which isn't through yet. I do usually write things down, This time I put in copper plant labels. Very organised , I thought. Mmmmmm. The labels for existing snowdrops (so I know where they are later on) and for the cosmos have disappeared entirely. The rabbit that kept trying to dig a burrow from the border under the path must have taken them back home with him to brighten up the living room. He kept starting this hole just where I had planted some daffodil bulbs that had been under the staging in the greenhouse and were doing their very best to grow. Every couple of days I would find the bulbs scattered and a new hole about 9 inches deep which I promptly filled in and replanted the bulbs. This happened 5 or 6 times. The bunny must have been seriously annoyed with me as he seems to have gone off in a huff. The daffodils are fine and can be seen in picture 2.

My complaint to the Ministry of Education on rabbit illiteracy seems to have borne fruit. The rabbits are now heeding the sign 'No rabbits allowed, Gardeners Click are coming' and seem to be leaving us alone (just touching my lucky rabbits foot here). Also the roses, crocosmia, lavatera and angelica that I thought were done for have all recovers and now doing well. I think the cold winter brought the rabbits into the garden where there was more food. Now it is warmer and the grass and crops are growing in the fields they seem to be staying there. We have reinforced the wire netting in the hedge on one side of the garden which may have helped too. There are plenty of other places to get in but bunnies aren't renowned for their brain power are they? The netting was to keep the dog that we look after when friends are away from escaping. But if it keeps the rabbits out too that is a bonus.

I know what else I meant to say. The copper labels that are remaining have lost the writing on them. Perhaps I didn't press hard enough. Hence I have a label which is a good thing, but, I don't know what is there. Oh well, it will be a nice surprise. Has anyone else had that problem with copper labels?