Drunken hedge

It certainly looks like one; these are the hedging plants I’ve just brought back from Leslie and Teo’s. And hurredly heeled in.   It’s cold and wet and I’m in the wrong clothes for gardening.

But in this patch of ground are the wonderful plants from Teo’s trip to Belgium this month: 11 hornbeams (carpinus betulus) four rosa rugosas, pink and white, and from the garden two yews and a lovely tall euonymous.

It’s all very exciting.   And when I find a clear day I’ll have a good long hard look and see where to plant them.   They are to be the continuation of the hedge that surrounds two sides of the potting shed.   But I have to try for the dotting effect rather than a solid wall of hornbeam.

In keeping with the idea of the borrowed landscape on the mountain above our garden, I like the idea of randomly placed trees.   Above us we have pine, oak, chestnut, crab apple, rose, indeterminate peach and wild cherry.   So I would like some of the hornbeams to take on the character of single specimens somewhere.   And play the role of screening the garden from the track.

It’s a tall order in soil as sandy as ours, and in such dry conditions, but I’ll give it my best shot.

Easier today was the Christmas tree. I love the smell of christmas trees indoors, but just can’t manage the sight of them dead and dying in January. Plus the expense.   We could be manly and go up into the forest and chop one down. But it doesn’t seem fair.   Poor tree.

So instead I have brought in the huge willow jar that has been sitting at the front door.   Out came the decorations from the basement and voila, a bit of festive cheer.

Now, time for a warming pot of tea and a rack to dry my wet clothes.