Now that summer is here and the weather is improving, our thoughts start turning to things that need doing or that could be changed or altered in the garden.
We always forget to cut this box edging and when we do it's a bit of a back straining job. Recently when I was out looking round, I noticed it had some sort of infestation.
There were several caterpillar's on the box and some damage. I looked it up online, it is The box tree caterpillar! Now they can be sprayed and the box will recover, I cut some of the box back and then decided that maybe now was the time to consider this area.
Whenever we decide to change or amend something in the garden, it starts with one idea and then proceeds through a series of idea's until we hit on the right one.
Well, I first decision was to remove the box, and redo the whole area completely. My only problem is I don't want to lose the standard rose that flowers beautifully every year. Which is in the centre and will need to be worked round. We are now in our mid to late sixties, so also need to think about having less work to do in our garden as we get older.
We started off by deciding to clear the site and plant up the beds with roses. That was our first plan. Despite having lots of other jobs that need doing in the garden, I decided to start removing the box, since I didn't want to spray the caterpillas, they can taht their chances.
So, one side is already cut down but the roots still need to be removed, our garden waste recycling is collected fortnightly and was due to be collected today, so we made sure both our bins were full.
When we were both working on it yesterday, we sat on the bench in the garden and also on the bench that faces the entrance to this area of the garden.
This is the current view from the entrance off the cloisters to this area. Another reason for removing that box is we have to at present, lift heavy pots over the hedging to get some colour with changes of planting, tulips in spring, canna's or other plants in summer. Again the pots can be heavy and hard work to lift in and out.
So already the plans have changed and it won't be getting a rose bed!
more to follow
Hi Dee!
ReplyDeleteYou and Paul are such great gardeners, but you are doing the right thing in planning for years to come. We left that a few years too late and, quite honestly, the gardens have got way ahead of us. Apart from the vegetable and fruit areas, we now have 'a wildlife garden' where buttercups, cleavers and a couple of brambles that won't die are having their own nature party.
I've never heard of box being invaded like that but do remember my great aunt's gardeners spending upwards of three hours a week trimming the box in her knot garden at this time of year.
Will you put a rose garden somewhere else?
Can't wait to see what you do next once the box has gone.
Hi Jenni
DeleteI agree now is the time to start sorting things out to make life easier in the long run.
I'm sure the insects are loving your wild area :)
We have never had such a problem with box moth before but it seems there are a lot more this year and lots are having the same problem.
We have a plan now for the area, just a case of getting it all done!
We will add some roses up by the house I think.