Despite the recent wintry weather here in the northwest, the temperatures have been just mild enough to start waking up the farm. As the days continue to lengthen and become warmer, this slow start will soon gather pace, so I took a moment on Friday evening to soak up all the new growth that is happening out in the field right now.
The trial patch of daffodils is just about ready for its moment in the spotlight, with one brave little soul already in full bloom. Despite it’s North African origins, the tiny Narcissus romieuxii ‘Julia Jane’ has found it’s way out of the ground amid lashing rain and strong winds. It’s a little dishevelled, but still a very welcome sight at this far end of winter. Although there are only a few of them in this trial they could look stunning en masse in a meadow where the grass is no taller than their own leaves, or perhaps more modestly, a handful of bulbs planted in a terracotta pot, topped with gravel to be admired up close.
As heartening as it is to see flowers right now, there are plenty of other signs of life out there which are just as pleasing. The deep red peony shoots are shouldering their way out of the ground, whilst vigorous new leaves emerge from long thorny rose stems; a reminder that pruning them will be on the task list soon enough! At a class on rose care recently I learned that President’s Day here indicates the time to start rose pruning… or alternatively, when the Forsythia flowers. I haven’t seen a Forsythia recently, but it’s President’s day on Monday so it’s about time to sharpen the secateurs.
Of course, with all this new growth comes the weeds… or wild flowers as I’m preferring to view them at the moment (this view point tends to become less generous as their rate of growth quickens)! Clearly the Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is just as happy and abundant here in America as it is back in the cutting garden at Chatsworth, and has already started to flower. Perhaps the odd early bee will be glad of it’s presence. Combined with Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and the silver foliage of thistle-like plant that I don’t yet know, they’ve made they’re own rather classy little garden in one area of the farm.
The Anemones and Ranunculus that fill two polytunnels look beautiful & healthy, obviously enjoying their protected environment and the care of the Floret team. There are plenty of Anemone buds now; lots of bowed heads on long straight stems (always pleasing to a cut-flower grower), and even a handful of flowers. Like the daffodils, the first few flowers of the season tend to be a bit bruised and mucky as they’ve arrived in the colder, wetter, harsher part of the season. I caught this one (below) too late in the day to see it open, the lowering light and temperature levels had already closed it back up for the night.
In a separate polytunnel, lots of seeds are being sown by the team who love this part of the season. There is excitement for seed sowing and planting and anticipation of all the flowers and vegetables and fruit to come. The timing of Erin’s new book ‘A year in Flowers’ has been perfect. A big celebration to mark its launch happened on Tuesday at a beautiful local nursery called Christianson’s. The following day, also Erin’s birthday, these first few daffodils and anemones had opened up, and with this seasonal shift there has also been a shift in the focus of our work at Floret. The seed packing and book orders continue in the barn, but as the intensity lessens there, greater attention goes towards the farm and the growing season ahead. The tiredness of the previous week gives way to a new energy as we all plunge into work we love.
In the background there has been a steady arrival of lots of new plants, which promise to transform the farm over the course of the year… and for many years to come. Plans are afoot to add more permanent plantings and structure, with the intention of bringing even more beauty to this remarkable place, whilst increasing habitat and feeding opportunities for birds and insects, and whoever else wants to join the party. One of the things I’m looking forward to the most this year, is observing which creatures show up and which plants they are most drawn too.
