29/02/2020
‘Makeover’ is a bit of an exaggeration admittedly, but at this time of year, when the snowdrops pop up all over the front garden, I try to clear away enough brambles and ground elder etc. so that we can enjoy these first signs of spring.
1 – Front garden bark chipping path BEFORE picture, with snowdrops
As I crawled along the meandering path with my trusty trug, secateurs and trowel, removing the weeds, it became clear that it was time to replace the almost-composted bark chipping that forms the basis of the pathway here.
So, between the worst periods of wind, rain and storms this week, I have been doing exactly that. Seven large, heavy (waterlogged) bags of landscape bark chipping later, this is what it now looks like:
2 – Path weeded and new bark chipping spread along its length
Instantly tidier, bit like edging a lawn! Plus, I have removed four large trug loads of weeds and ground elder along the route (It will never be gone – I ‘manage’ it).
As the snowdrops finish, cheerful Tête-à-tête daffodils are injecting a bit of a glow along the edges:
3 – Clumps of Tête-à-tête daffodils light up the path edge
And my favourite dark purple crocuses (Ruby Giant) are opening at the weakest hint of sunshine to provide sustenance for passing pollinators and gardeners alike:
4 – A cluster of crocus ‘Ruby Giant’
I found that I got a good view of the various hellebores in the garden from clearing the path on my knees too. This one is Harvington’s ‘Pink Speckled’. It looks adorable with the sun behind it:
5- Hellebore Harvington’s ‘Pink Speckled’
I also noticed that the flowering currant is already starting to come into flower … that seems very early to me:
6 – The flowering currant is coming into flower
I’ve still got a large patch of self-seeded stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) at the very end of the path to dig out (I’m potting them up until I decide what to do with them) and then the job is done. I should be out there now really … but it is so soggy from earlier that I am here with a cup of tea, in the warm instead, typing in a quick Six-on-Saturday post.
Many thanks to Jonathon for posting and hosting. There are plenty more gardening Sixes to see via the comments on his blog, so do take a look.
And as the weather is looking better for tomorrow I hope that you get to enjoy your gardens then!
Frogend dweller's Blog 
Looks great! As you know, we’re still in winter here – it’s snowing right now (sigh). 😉
Thanks Eliza. I was so happy when we had a little bit of snow here on Thursday. It only lasted a few hours, but it made me happy. Mostly it is wet. Very wet. I know that you are used to long winters, but I hope you still get some enjoyment from your snowy landscape. Take care.
Yes, it is pretty to look at and at this stage, it won’t last long. There are already open patches here and there. I hope the sun comes out to dry up your garden!
Your path looks very nice, I think I will get some edging like that, it looks great. You have ground elder too? It’s the bane of my life. Spring flowers are cropping up everywhere, it’s so exciting.
Thanks Liz. The edging comes in different colours, including straight terracotta (which is the most popular), but I like this slightly more muted mix. Ground elder is an underlying ‘condition’ around here in both literal and figurative sense.
I’m not at all familiar with ground elder, and I suspect I’m lucky in that respect. Other weeds are the bane of my life, such as spotted spurge. Your path looks very smart now that you’ve topped it up.
Thanks Jane. Ground elder is indeed awful, but the problem here is that my soil is thick clay and when it’s rhizomes are laced through that there is no possibility of removing it all.
Looks so much better with the new bark down doesn’t it! I like those crocuses too.
🙂
The bark path really sets off the daffodils and spring planting. Having a good weeding session can be very satisfying.
Thank you and you are right of course about the weeding!
Lovely garden! I especially like your edging,. I have never seen anything like that here in Seattle. Ah yes, every spring a flurry of activity! I have one crocus coming out, which I planted years ago and forgot about. I’m always afraid to plant bulbs because of the squirrels, so any that keep coming back are a bonus! I don’t think my flowering currant is out yet.
I love that about crocuses, disappearing, forgotten and then popping up unexpectedly. They seems to be a recurring feature in abandoned gardens. I struggle with bulbs and squirrels too, so I sympathise. I think that if they (the bulbs) escape notice the first year, you have a good chance that will be OK going forward.
That path looks beautiful ! Good stuff
Pretty flowering currant too ( early to me too…!?)
That looks really good! And lovely shots of your hellebores. Nothing like getting down on your hands and knees in the garden to appreciate the flowers better… weather permitting! 🙂
That’s one reason that I like the bark path … it’s good to knee on in all weathers ‘cos the top layer dries /drains quickly.
What a difference that bark made in the path area. The daffs popping up certainly helped as well. The hellebore w/the sun behind it is really lovely. I’ve no currant around me so don’t know if yours is early, but a few plants do seem to be arriving early this year. We’ve had so little sun, I don’t understand why.
Thanks Lora. Clean lines and all that! The front garden is very much a spring garden, because the light levels drop as the mature field maple leafs up. The temperatures this year have not really dropped around here (only one or two good frosts).
It all looks really pretty. I love all your plant beauties.
Thanks Brigid. Spring is such a hopeful time of the year.