Heavenly hornbeam hedging

The mighty carpinus betulus. Hornbeam. I have had a wonderful afternoon getting all 19 of my hedging plants into the ground.

Most of them hornbeams, but also two yews, four rosa rugosas and one euonymous.   All from Teo. I am so lucky to have such generous friends.

I didn’t want to plant them all in a phalanx formation of rigid uprightness; instead I have tried to dot them about.

Who was it who said if you plant a hedge of one species all you are doing is creating green concrete?

So dot I did.   But mainly, their job is to screen the pool from the road.   So I planted four up around the walnut tree right on the road (they are going to need a lot of muck to improve the sandy soil).   And then the rest in a little area in front of the walnut tree, and the rest right on the road in what I call the hedge extension.

I had so much fun. It was mild, it was drizzling and it was mucky.   I was in my element.

I’ve only been away five days, but just to get my hands dirty again felt great.

Artur was waiting for me up at the potting shed in the morning. I can’t say he was ecstatic in his welcome, but I was granted a cuddle before he was off chasing moles or mice or whatever he was up to today. I’m always just pleased to see him looking so well and frisky.

Something has been frisky in one of my tulip planters in the courtyard.   Do stone martens eat tulip bulbs? I’m not sure, but it could be a red squirrel.

Whatever the creature; it has dug up my bulbs and disturbed the compost. So I have no idea what will or will not come up in spring.

But sharing with the wildlife if all in a day’s work for a country garden.

Tomorrow I’m determined to get the wildflower bed fully weeded and sorted.   I just have to hope my filthy work trousers dry out overnight.