EarlySpring

Newsletter!

Welcome to our first E-newsletter of 2014 !

Only the first week in January and what a ‘year’ of weatherwe’ve had already!

In, fact, sat at my desk for the past hour there has been sun,rain and fierce hail driven by gusty winds. My heart goes out tothose poor souls who are suffering from flooding in both house

and gardenHowever, I am determined that this is just a blip and there are

much better things to come as the diary is already full ofgardens that need designing and planting, lectures to be given,

not to mention a full show diary which, once again,includes RHS Chelsea Flower Show

This newsletter is just a taster of things to come-brighten your

Once again, I am holding a series of monthly talks in my owngarden, called ‘What The Books Don't Tell You’ which add up to

month by month practical sessions that demonstrate whatneeds doing and when. See 10 page for details

I hope that this will be the first of several newsletters thisyear to keep you up to date with what’s going on at the nursery

A whole decade of healthy, hardy plants grown in

Hertfordshire!

I hope this newsletter brightens a dull winter day & reminds youspring, and another year full of exciting garden possibilities is just

around the corner.The nursery opens again on March 7tH

I look forward to seeing there!

At Daisy Roots, I sow around200 packets of seed every

season.I find getting seeds to

germinate is relatively easy,but how best to deal withthem afterwards seems tobe where many people get

stuck.

£12 per person

Join me for ‘Sow It, Grow It!’ on Saturday March 8thand I will explain how to save, store and sow seed and how

to deal with the young seedlings to get the very bestresults.

Whether you want to grow your own perennials, annuals orvegetables from seed, the basic rules are the same.

You will get to ‘have a go’ and take home your experimentsat the end.

It’s easy when you know how!Call me, Anne on 07958 563355or email anne@daisyroots.com

to book your place

January and February may be the coldest months ofthe year but there are still plenty of plants that makedonning on an extra woolie and wellies worth the effort

of going outside!

Eranthus hyemalis or Winter Aconites areone of the earliest bulbs to poke through

the ground

The leaves of hardy annual Cerinthe purpureacontrast with those of Euphorbia amygaloides

purpurea. Both will flower in spring at the frontof a sunny border

The slender evergreen leaves of Libertiaperegrinans add an unusual shade of orange to any

sunny, well drained border

Galanthus nivalis, always the first sign spring is on its way…..

January and February may be the coldest months ofthe year but there are still plenty of plants that makedonning on an extra woolie and wellies worth the effort

of going outside!Crocus Blue Pearl opens flowers

wide in late winter sunshine to

attract passing bumble bees

brave enough to venture out this

early

Cyclamen coum enjoys dappledshade on any reasonable soil.Where happy it self seedsforming a carpet of colour fromlate winter into spring

The leaves of hardy annual Cerinthe purpureacontrast with those of Euphorbia amygaloides

purpurea. Both will flower in spring at the frontof a sunny border

The slender evergreen leaves of Libertiaperegrinans add an unusual shade of orange to any

Helleborus foetidus ‘Wester Fisk’ is a form selectedfor the striking red tints found on the stems and

flowers

Reticulata Iris flower in Februaury when nothingelse comes close to their vibrant blue and shades.

They do best on well drained soil

Iris unguicularis flowers on and off from Nov-March and gives offa heavenly scent. Pick a few flowers to bring indoors and enjoy

them and the scent close up

Ophiopogon nigrescens is often referred to asblack grass but is really a member of the Lily

familly. It forms dense . Low clumps of evergreenleaves and insignificant flowers are followed by

striking black berries

Helleborus lividus is native to Majorca and is,therefore, best grown in a pot of well drained compost

and given shelter from the worst of the elements -but well worth the effort!

Iris unguicularis flowers on and off from Nov-March and gives offa heavenly scent. Pick a few flowers to bring indoors and enjoy

them and the scent close up

Pulmonaria rubra is,for me, the earliestof the lungworts to

flower, oftenopening a few

flowers beforeChristmas

Ophiopogon nigrescens is often referred to asblack grass but is really a member of the Lily

familly. It forms dense . Low clumps of evergreenleaves and insignificant flowers are followed by

striking black berries

Why not plant all your winter interest inone border, somewhere near the house sothat you get the full impact without even

stepping outside

Ivy may just be a very common native

plant, but its nectar rich flowers in

Nov-Dec are invaluable for late flying

pollinators and the berries that follow

are a useful food source for birds in

winter and make great Christmas

garlands and wreaths too!

Hurray for Heucheras and their evergreen leaves in an

endless range of green, gold, red, silver and purple

shades. Also usefull in winter tubs to fill gaps until

spring bulbs push through

Fatsia japonica is related to our native ivy

and produces similarly shaped flowers that

are blanched white. Site this evergreen

shrub in a spot sheltered from cold winds

Evergreen ferns such as Dryopteris add

foliage texture all year. Cut all ferns back in

spring to encourage lots of fresh new leaves

Sarcoccoca is the hands down

winner for winter scent. Plant in

your front garden or somewhere

else you frequently pass at this

time of year to get waves of sweet

scent. One stem in water will scent

a whole room indoors

Hurray for Heucheras and their evergreen leaves in an

endless range of green, gold, red, silver and purple

shades. Also usefull in winter tubs to fill gaps until

spring bulbs push through

Fatsia japonica is related to our native ivy

and produces similarly shaped flowers that

are blanched white. Site this evergreen

shrub in a spot sheltered from cold winds

What The Books Don’t Tell You!Once again, in 2014 I am holding a series of monthly talks in my own garden,

called ‘What The Books Don't Tell You’ which add up to month by monthpractical sessions that demonstrate what needs doing and when in any

garden.Each month we will focus on one of the topics listed below and also take a

look at what is flowering and looking good that month.

February 22nd 9.30am - Rose & Wisteria pruning - easy when you know how!

March 15th 9.30am - Spring bulbs, under storey planting ( extending theseason), using mulches

April 19th 9.30am - Shade lovers, lifting & dividing perennials for clumpvigour & propagation

May 29th 7.00pm - Staking, the 'Chelsea Chop', using annuals to fill thegaps

June 26th 7.00pm - Cutting back spring flowering plants & pruning springflowering shrubs

July 24th 7.00pm - What to deadhead and when, summer pruning wisteria

August 23rd 9.30am - Extending the season, keep the colour coming &softwood cuttings

September 27th 9.30am - Using ornamental grasses in borders and flowersfor autumn colour

October 25th 9.30am - Planning & planting a bulb display for next year

November 22nd 9.30am - ‘The Big Chop’ - what to start cutting down andwhen

If you wish to book a place please send your name, address and contactnumber, stating which month(s) you wish to attend and enclosing acheque for £12 for each month or £30 for any 3 months. You will

receive confirmation of your booking and directions.Send to Anne Godfrey, 8 Gosselin Road, Bengeo, Hertford.

SG14 3LG.Feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.

anne@daisyroots.com 07958 563355,

Mistletoe is an unusual plant in that it is semi-parasitic by nature; it’s small green leaves provide the host tree with

energy through photosynthesis, but it also sends a root under the bark of the host tree and gathers nutrients there.

Mistletoe grows most readily on trees belonging to the rose family; apple and hawthorn are favourites and grows most

commonly on trees in parkland, gardens and orchards where hosts are grown as individuals with plenty of light available.

Lime, willow, sycamore, maple, rowan and oak also accommodate on occasion.

Seeds from stems cut for Christmas rarely germinate; much better to collect seed in March or April and sow immediately.

An internet search will provide details of companies who will send fresh seed if you do not have access to a supply.

Branches 20 cm in diameter make ideal ‘seed beds’; bark is still thin enough to allow seed root to penetrate but

substantial enough to support the weight of mistletoe. Using the berries own ‘glue’ - the viscous flesh that surrounds the

seed - smear the seed onto the side or underside of the branch. Put several on each branch to increase your chance of

success, spaced about 40 cm apart.

If seed germinates successfully, only roots appear in year 1 and just one pair of leaves in year 2. If you’re lucky, you

might get your first berries in year 4!!

A Kiss-Me-Quick hat maybe required in the interim………

Grow Your Own Mistletoe

When deciduous leaves fall in autumn, host trees, such as

this Lime, take on the appearance of arboreal cheerleaders

waving their Mistletoe Pom Poms on bare branches

Mistletoe is an unusual plant in that it is semi-parasitic by nature; it’s small green leaves provide the host tree with

energy through photosynthesis, but it also sends a root under the bark of the host tree and gathers nutrients there.

Mistletoe grows most readily on trees belonging to the rose family; apple and hawthorn are favourites and grows most

commonly on trees in parkland, gardens and orchards where hosts are grown as individuals with plenty of light available.

Lime, willow, sycamore, maple, rowan and oak also accommodate on occasion.

Seeds from stems cut for Christmas rarely germinate; much better to collect seed in March or April and sow immediately.

An internet search will provide details of companies who will send fresh seed if you do not have access to a supply.

Branches 20 cm in diameter make ideal ‘seed beds’; bark is still thin enough to allow seed root to penetrate but

substantial enough to support the weight of mistletoe. Using the berries own ‘glue’ - the viscous flesh that surrounds the

seed - smear the seed onto the side or underside of the branch. Put several on each branch to increase your chance of

If seed germinates successfully, only roots appear in year 1 and just one pair of leaves in year 2. If you’re lucky, you

Grow Your Own Mistletoe

When deciduous leaves fall in autumn, host trees, such as

this Lime, take on the appearance of arboreal cheerleaders

waving their Mistletoe Pom Poms on bare branches

Show & Plant Fair Diary 2014Feb 23rd Snowdrop & Hellebore Event, Goodnestone Park, Kent

www.hpskent.co.uk/category/plant-sales

Mar 23rd Plant Fair, Lenham Community Centrewww.hpskent.co.uk/category/plant-sales

Apr 1st-2nd RHS Great Spring Plant Fair, Westminster Hallswww.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-London-Flower-Shows

Apr 13th Great Comp Spring Fling, Great Comp, Kentwww.greatcompgarden.co.uk/diaryofevents.html

May 3rd Plant Heritage Plant Fair, Highgate, North Londonwww.nccpg.com/In-your-area/Local-Groups/London.aspx

May 11th Ashridge Plant Fair, Berkhampsteadwww.friendsofashridge.org.uk

May 20-25th RHS Chelsea Flower Showwww.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2014

May 31st-1st Jun Hatfield House Garden Showwww.hatfield-house.co.uk

Jun 11-15th Gardeners World Live, NEC, Birminghamwww.bbcgardenersworldlive.com

Jul 8-13th RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Showwww.rhs.org.uk/Hampton-Flower-Show

Jul 20th Chenies Manor Plant Fairwww.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk/plant_fair.htm

Jul 27th 35 Digswell Road Garden Open NGS, Welwyn Garden Citywww.ngs.org.uk

Aug 31st Sussex Prairie Garden Unusual Plant & Art Fairwww.plantsandart.co.uk

Oct 21st-22nd RHS Shades of Autumn Show, Westminsterwww.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-London-Flower-Shows

www.hertshps.com

THE HARDY PLANT SOCIETYThe aim of the Hardy Plant Society is to stimulate interest in growing hardy

herbaceous perennials. It aims to give its members information about the wealth ofboth well and little known plants, and to ensure that all worthy plants remain in

cultivation and have the widest possible distribution.The Hertfordshire group is one of 50 regional and specialist groups of the Hardy PlantSociety. We are friendly and enthusiastic gardeners and garden lovers of all levels of

skill and ability, with a common interest in learning more about perennial plants.

In winter months we meet in Wheathampstead on the first Saturday of the month for aprogramme of talks, with slides or of a practical nature, from well known speakers

including the likes of Fergus Garret, Andy Sturgeon, Graham Rice, Helen Yemm andVal Bourne. These talks are followed by refreshments with home made cakes, and a

members’ plant stall. Our summer programme includes coach trips, garden andnursery visits, a seedling exchange and a public plant sale.

We welcome new members and visitors to the group. Visit www.hertshps.com fordetails of our programme for 2014

The nursery opens for 2014 on March 7th, see you there!