Gardening weather at last

Overgrown and very weedy!

We've been in France for a week and a half, but the weather has kept us out of the garden until now - freezing cold, high winds, then downpours... but finally today was perfect gardening weather. I decided to concentrate on one area at a time - so much of the garden needs attention, but I can make the biggest noticeable difference if I do this. Today's work was on the front (north) border where escallonia and cotoneaster were rampant. 

Unfortunately I have had to cut both of them hard back - the escallonia because it had black spot, and the cotoneaster because it harbours the "tigers"  (Stephanitis pyri) on the underside of its leaves, where I can't spray the insecticide. At least cutting them right back meant there was a chance to get at the persistent weeds (reminders that this land was once a vineyard). I still haven't been able to remove all of the roots, so they will return - but I hope not too soon!

After a day's hard work

The border also contains one remaining dianthus plant (there were three originally) and some summer flowering bulbs but for now looks rather bare - just the Japanese quince and the dwarf myrtle with a few tulips coming through... some spring colour is needed!