GARDENING
IN THE
The rites
GARDEN of Spring
With Tina Hughes
U
nbounded optimism is the mood of spring
for me, every bud, each unfurling flower
promises something magical and perpetually
amazing, I watch mesmerised and exhilarated
by the rolling tide of green stealthily covering
fields, trees and hedges. The next thrill is
watching seedlings I’ve sown emerge tiny,
tender leaves forcing open hard seed cases
that have protected and sheltered them. The
mystery of it all leaves me breathless. Although
I credit myself with the success of the plants
I’m growing, in reality I’m merely a facilitator
providing new opportunities for the natural
processes to carry on as they have since the
dawn of time and I’m truly humbled by the
privilege.
Auricula awe
A
uricula’s are the
connoisseurs’ answer to
primroses, they’re prima-donnas
requiring cool roots, sharply
drained soil and protection
from heavy rain, especially
when in flower. Their origins are
obscure, possibly imported by
16th century Flemish weavers
from Europe. However they
arrived here, they inspire
obsession, producing the most
extraordinary flowers.
Some look as if they’re covered
in flour, an effect known as
‘farina’. Display in an Auricula
theatre, lined up in clay pots
against a complimentary
background to show them at
their beguiling best.
Three of the best
P
eonies are one of the glories of April and May
with their luscious, glossy petalled flowers whose
colours range from white and yellow through to the
deepest, darkest crimson. ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ my all time
favourite, apple-blossom pink and scented too. P. lutea
Var Ludlowii, is a tree peony with bright yellow flowers,
whilst P. ‘Claire de Lune’ has single, yellow flowers curving
around a mass of golden stamens. Give them a well
drained spot and avoid planting too deeply. Happiest in
full sun they hate root disturbance so once planted they
will grow for decades in the same spot.
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