Now you see it...

Now you don't!

This poor old shrub had a date with an electric saw at the weekend. It's cruel, I know, but it has enjoyed a good life. It was there when I moved here three years ago, and I don't even know what it was. It was deciduous, and was plastered with little white flowers around May. Last year I took out a huge dead Hebe that was next to it. Of course this meant one side of the above mystery shrub was left looking sorry for itself, and I'm afraid I just couldn't bear to look at it any longer. Now that it's gone, the Buxus next to it is showing its ugly side too - I could go on wrecking the whole mixed hedge like a set of dominoes! But the Buxus will recover, so I think that's it now. Oh, but I did take out another dead Hebe - swiftly to be replaced by a Ceanothus which should fill the gap - I have nice neighbours but I do like to feel enclosed!

Carpets of Snow

I enjoyed a visit to Pembury House in Clayton, Sussex today, open for the NGS. The gardens are known for their winter interest, but it is clear from the emerging shoots that they must be pretty splendid all year round. The garden is around two acres, mostly open with trees and large swathes of planting, and lovely views across Sussex. My favourite part of the garden was closer to the house, where a series of intimate areas have been created, also planted with lots of snowdrops and hellebores. Also took the opportunity to pop into Rushfields Plant Centre at Poynings, just north of Brighton, to check out the plants...and the cheese scones...yum!

Last of the Leeks!

I'm not a great vegetable gardener, but I do like to get some leek seeds started about now. How wonderful that the seeds I planted 12 months ago are still giving me a harvest. Today I arrived home from work with a little daylight to spare, so I popped up to the veg coffin (only after building the raised bed did I realise it looked just like a coffin!) to pull up some tasty leeks.

 Once cleaned and chopped I put them in a pan with some garam masala. Next I added some veg stock, sweet potatoes and lentils.

After 20 minutes it all got whizzed with my magic wand (hand blender), seasoned, then.....mmmm, ready to eat!

And just a curiosity for you to end with - about a month ago I pulled some leeks, and rather lazily chucked the roots into a pot with just soil in it. Bizarrely, they have rooted and are now trying to grow into new plants!