At least as much as can be Moved is moved.

The silver lining to leaving so many plants behind is the opportunity to buy new ones!

Roses

I’ve completely replaced the hybrid tea roses I use for cutting, which has allowed me to try out different varieties. I couldn’t not have Chandos Beauty and even though it gets rain ugly very easily, White Parfumella is lovely. I’m trying out white Parfum de Provence in the Hope that copes better with rain. Moving to the pinks and reds, I’m sticking with Fragrant Cloud in the hope it will thrive in Sunbury rather than sulking in Isleworth. Two new to me is Jubilee Papa Meilland and Pure Poetry. At the moment, it’s all potential.

Peony tubers

I was confident about lifting the Peony Tubers, I have after all been down this road once before. But having lifted one Duchesse de Nemours tuber, I changed my mind. The tuber ‘arms’ were very brittle and I managed to snap several. I’ve left the rest for the new tenant and ordered new tubers. There will be more Duchesse as well as Sarah Bernhardt but new to the team is Coral Sunset and Eden’s Perfume. I’m convinced I’ve planted this Duchesse too deeply, but I’ll wait and see. This bed is 5m long, so plenty of space for the others.

Pears

I moved the last pear, Red Sensation. It’s only really started to grow in the last few years and the root ball was relatively easy to lift, it fitted into the car without any drama. Last year was its first decent year for fruit (typical) but I do have this to hope for again…

There is supposed to be space for an apricot tree next to it – I’m sure this pear took up less space at Cole Park. 

I won’t leave any fruit to develop on the trees next year to give the roots a fighting chance to establish. I’m still apologising to Beth, the tree closest to the path with the green netting, for her brutal removal in the hope of seeing green shoots in the next few months.

Even though there are no more plants to lift and replant, there is plenty more planting to be done.

Wishing you all a happy and fruitful New Year.