Nigel Slater's substantial task for the current year outlined
In the heart of winter, when the garden lies dormant and bare, one gardener finds solace and opportunity. This impulsive gardener, with a notebook full of plans, drawings, and checklists, is known for their unexpected choices that often lead to striking successes.
The gardener's recent decision to remove an overgrown Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'China Girl' tree in winter feels like a sensible idea. The bare branches reveal hidden spaces, making way for new roses and perennials, including irises, to flourish.
This gardener's impulsive nature is not limited to major changes. An impulse purchase of deep burgundy hellebores turned out to be a stunning success, adding a splash of colour to the garden during the colder months. There's even a mysteriously grown love for an unplanned, screaming pink rhododendron.
The gardener's plans can sometimes go astray, but unexpected events, such as the contractors requesting to bring the plan forward, can bring as much pleasure as carefully planned ideas. Major construction work, such as resurfacing paths and terraces, requires extensive effort in a small urban space, but the gardener finds joy in the challenge.
However, the winter's bareness can sometimes make it difficult to plan major changes, as hidden growth can be difficult to predict. The gardener likes to take their time and mull things over before starting a project, ensuring that each decision is well-considered.
This winter, the gardener plans to replace an unhappy Clematis armandi with a thriving plant for the bottom of the garden. The plants bought at RHS Chelsea two years ago might finally be planted this year. The gardener also has plans to fit in a much-needed shed and address the woodruff that has run amok in one of the beds.
The benefits of impulsive decisions in gardening are numerous. They can lead to creative freedom, immediate action, experimentation, and emotional fulfillment. However, it's essential to balance impulsiveness with knowledge and planning to ensure successful outcomes.
As the winter season progresses, the gardener will draw up a wish-list for the garden, ready to make bolder decisions come spring. The impulsive gardener's approach to gardening serves as a reminder that sometimes, taking a risk can lead to beautiful rewards.
The gardener, in the midst of winter's dormancy, contemplates replacing an unhappy Clematis armandi with a thriving plant from the collection acquired at RHS Chelsea two years ago, planning for a bolder change come spring. This home-and-garden lifestyle enthusiast also aims to address the overgrowth of woodruff in one of the beds and install a much-needed shed, embracing the unplanned yet exciting aspects of gardening. In the heart of nature, these impulsive decisions bring not only creative freedom and emotional fulfillment but also serve as reminders of the potential rewards that come with taking calculated risks.
