Cutting back in stages…

It is interesting to cutback the ornamental grass plantings in stages. By February they can be quite beaten about and more importantly they are hiding the fresh new growth. However, the contrast of the straw colour with the fresh green of the native Hellebores still works nicely. The verticality of the C. ‘Karl Foerster’ continues to add depth to our deep borders the sedum still provides wonderful contrast and both still screen the square beyond.

Therefore this year I have experimented with cutting back the inner grasses and leaving the ones at the boundary. I have also edited, but kept, the skeletal forms of the cardoon - which still has seeds that the birds love. So far it looks like it has let in much needed light for the bulbs - and has been easier to achieve in the gaps between the rain. This may only be a temporary state but it feels like it has given a much needed refresh to the garden and I look forward to seeing it as the bulbs start to push through.