A New Garden, All-spice tree, Magnolia stellata, Hellebores

We created a new garden last year, where the pistachio tree had been. Here is how it is pictured in October 2020. There’s a picture of the tree coming down in this post.

I replaced the tree with roses and our miniature windmill which we thought looked good.

Better seen here which shows the yellow flower “Eleanor” that has sprung up with renewed vigour and the two standard fuschias I’ve made in pots on either side. Looks luxuriant.

And here it is from the back of the house. We quickly became accustomed to no tree.

Then we replaced the windmill with the birdbath. I’m told birds prefer an open space in which to bathe. The change doesn’t seem to have disturbed them – blackbirds, wattlebirds, miner birds.

In the absence of the tree lots of aquilegias have sprung up. Not surprising as I’ve had one or two here before. The abundance is new. Although to date all I’ve seen are spreading leaves. Hopefully we will get flowers in Spring.

Another plant that has sprung into life after the tree was felled is this, what I think, helped by Jane, is an echium candicans. It’s from Mum’s garden, so has some sentimental value. I had one or two flowers years ago – blue spiky things – and then it has been dormant for the last nearly twenty! It has emerged looking very healthy. I look forward to seeing what flowers emerges.

Two longstanding features of the garden have come into their own this year. First the all-spice tree. Here it is in full bloom – it’s scent pervading the garden at twilight.

And here you can see the flowers up close. The many seed pods from last year look like fruit bats hanging from the branches. I wish I knew how to extract the all-spice.

We finally harvested the seeds. My neighbour tried grinding them and concluded they do not produce the allspice we use in cooking – not the right shape according to the internet. Nor taste.

This magnolia stellata directly opposite the allspice tree is looking the best its been for a long time – and it’s not completely out yet. Perhaps because I have cleared all around its base.

It has a beautiful flower; pink bud opening up to a perfectly white star shaped bloom..

And another – so lovely.

I bought some hellebore last year – three very fancy ones and was a bit doubtful as to whether they would continue to produce. And on top of that I moved them during the year – given advice from my local nursery that you shouldn’t water them too much. They’re under the Japanese maple on the southside of the garden.

I’m pleased to say they’ve returned with aplomb. Here’s the first of what I’m confident will be many blooms.

Here is my original single flowered variety which gets better every year.

They’re hard to photograph. Here’s an attempt to capture the second double flowered variety I bought last year that is growing in front of the mirror on the fence.

And this is the deep purple variety I also bought last year. It’s looking lovely.

Here are later pictures of this one – these are only half the stems – it’s been proficient.

And up close – which is a bit hard to get to – it’s very beautiful.

I’ve bought some more – tiny -hellebores from the Garden of St Erth, so there will be more next year; Otto permitting. He tends to spray on new plants in the garden!