After the floods on 9th April we were seriously waterlogged. There was no chance of working in the garden because it was just too soggy. But since that day it has been dry and mostly cold and grey. The ground has dried out quite a lot and I have been able to cut down the last few grasses at last.

Yesterday I moved 3 Aruncus Knieffii which were rather hidden behind some quite large clumps of Sanguisorbia ‘Tanna‘. This took quite some time because in turn I had to move some primulas and some Viola cornuta ‘Alba’ elsewhere first. The aruncus have very attractive divided leaves and plumes of white flowers in late summer. In their place I planted some white asters. One job I’m not keen on doing is cutting back the leaves of epimediums. They are so colourful but hide the emerging flowers so I have cut the leaves off. I also barrowed some compost to scatter in different parts of the borders. Weeds  are beginning to grow well now including goose grass and hairy bitter cress.

A few customers came in on Saturday. We seem to sell a lot of alpines, I wonder if this is due to people having small gardens? Or maybe it’s because they mostly quite easy to look after. Speaking of alpines…..I have replanted 4 of the Belfast sinks. One of them had a considerable number of ants in the compost so I’m pleased to have done that. They all look much better with the new plants and fresh grit on the surface.