Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
28th September 2019
Seeds and Sneezes
It’s time for the big chop in the garden – not the ‘Chelsea chop’ of spring when early flowering herbaceous plants are cut back to encourage a second bloom, but the autumn chop when spent growth is cut back and the garden is tidied up or ‘put to bed’ for the winter (as my dad used to say).
I have already started in my own garden and for clients, and I have been reminded to take care when cutting some shrubby stuff back as it can ‘fight back’ and make you cough and sneeze!
Buddleia davidii should be pruned hard during mild weather in early spring, (Buddleia alternifolia and Buddleia globosa bloom on stems made in the previous season, and don’t really need pruning – just shape and remove dead wood) but as it’s been such a good year for growth in general, Buddleia davidii’s will no doubt be monstrous now. It’s best to reduce them by about a third before the winter to prevent wind damage and (if we have it) damage from heavy snow blankets.
But take care – as you cut them back now, the dry flowerheads are still in place and they can cause irritation to your eyes, nose and throat as I was reminded last week. Spent flowerheads on other shrubs and herbaceous plants can have the same effect and if still harbouring seeds, can be even more of an irritant. Many seeds have tiny little barbs or hooks on them to enable them to be spread by animals and humans, but those barbs can cause havoc with an unprepared and unprotected gardener.
Well known for ‘being irritating’, is the Freemontadendron, or California Glory, and contact with the shoot hairs can irritate the skin. It is recommended that you protect the eyes and exposed skin before attempting to prune it.
So as well as needing a good pair of secateurs at this time of year, you may need a pair of safety goggles and a dust mask too.
Get Crafty and Relax
I have enjoyed trying out some lovely ‘crafty’ things over the past 12 months and as well as enjoying learning something new, taking time for myself and just the whole creative aspects, I have actually discovered a few new passions. After the relevant inspiring workshops, I am still making wire birds, animals and people and painting and sketching.
So I think the idea of having a weekend retreat in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, where you can experience new (or favourite) crafts and learn, or just relax, with like minded crafty folk, is a brilliant one. And that’s exactly what you can do on the aptly named, ‘Creative Retreat in the Brecon Beacons’ being held near Crickhowell on 7th-9th February next year.
There are 15 inspiring workshops to choose from including spoon making, leather working, willow weaving and Rachel Cadman’s lino printing on fabric (which I loved earlier this year, and was enamoured by Rachel’s patience as I insisted on recreating Yogi’s rather difficult visage onto a cushion cover -see pic).
There is also an eclectic mix of interesting evening speakers too and the venue is the wonderful Gliffaes Hotel near Crickhowell. The Gliffaes holds a special place in my heart as Dad kept the garden there for years and when he died my brother took over. Derek Brockway and I also started our Weatherman Walking expedition from there, as it was so poignant for me.
The hotel and the grounds are fabulous, with open fires and wonderful mature trees respectively (I highly recommend a river walk) and the food is fabulous, as are the hosts.
The emphasis of the weekend is on pleasing yourself, and you are encouraged to attend a variety of workshops and/or to relax and ‘reboot’ as you choose. Have a good read through the website www.beaconsretreats.com for more details and ways you can ‘retreat yourself’. Who knows, you may discover a whole new career!
WAND-erful!
I’m not known for my use, or even understanding, of make up but for those of you who are please could you save all your old mascara wands, wash them in soapy water, pop them in a Ziploc bag and post to the New Arc Wildlife Sanctuary, Nether Auquhadlie, Auchnagatt, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 8UW.
The staff are being very industrious and recycling the little brushes to clean away oil, fly eggs, mites and mud from young wildlife, like ducklings, baby rabbits and degus.
I recall a good friend describing a not-so-good-day as ‘a complete waste of make up’, but what a wand-erful opportunity to recycle and not waste your little brushes. Thank you.
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