Rain Rain Rain

It has been the wettest winter on record here in the UK. The days that it has not rained in the last three months can probably be counted on both hands and after this morning's rain had finally ceased, I took a look around the garden to see what effect all this water has been having.

Copyright Robert Widdowson 2016

Droplets of rain hanging on our Maple Tree

Our garden can be divided into two general areas; the sunny, well draining half and the shady half with poor drainage. The bed on the well draining side has been benefiting from the constant deluges of rain and the Conifer hedge we have planted in the corner has been taking full advantage of this and is sprouting plenty of new growth. The plants which really require the free drainage, such as our collection of Lavenders have just about made through but don't really seem to have enjoyed it. We do have one Lavender which we planted below our decking area, where the drainage is relatively poor and this plant seems to have died. We shall see if it manages to produce some new growth this year but it looks doubtful.

Copyright Robert Widdowson 2016

Our Grass was looking great with rain droplets hanging from it

Over on the Damper, shadier side of the garden, the main thing I have noticed is a proliferation of moss, growing from within the lawn and into the bedding area. I will try and keep this under some control and as the weather warms up it may well die back, but I actually quite like moss and may try and collect some of it for upcoming projects i have planned for the months ahead. We have quite a few tulips planted in this bed and due to the mild winter conditions, they are already springing up all over. We also have Foxglove planted here, they should flower this year and these seem to be fine, which you would expect considering their shady woodland homes in the wild. The have Dogwood and Hibiscus we have planted in this bed seem to be fine. We also have Clematis and Passion flower growing against the fence besides this bedding area and they also seem to have suffered no problems.

Copyright Robert Widdowson 2016

Moss has been thriving in the garden with the very wet winter

I have noticed that the lawn has been growing a surprising amount this winter and is looking quite wild. Normally the cold weather would slow the pace of growth of the grass during the winter and although it has not been growing as fast as in the summers months, it is now quite long and will need to be cut at the first opportunity.

Copyright Robert Widdowson 2016

A close up of one of our Climbing Roses

Finally, the wet and mild winter weather seems to have meant less birds visiting the feeders. As the warmer winter conditions have been perhaps less challenging for them, they may have chosen to stay away. We have had the regular Blackbirds and Robin, as well as House Sparrows, Wrens and Chaffinch, as well as a the odd passing Goldcrest. One other creature in the garden and one that is definitely benefiting from this wet spell are the Slugs. They have already managed to have a go at the emerging tulips and have also got into the cold frame and eaten a Hydrangea cutting we had in there from last year. They definitely will be providing a challenge later in the year!