This month I began to clear some of the woodland enroute to the stream. First I made a wider access beside the eucalyptus tree with a couple of stone steps leading down from the lawn into the woods. Then I made a narrow flat path using a spade to create a channel through the encroaching undergrowth, banking up the earth on one side to create a kind of informal border. Into this area, I transplanted all the polyanthus and primroses that were scattered about the garden in random places as well as any stray evening primroses and white honesty. I also cleared quite a large of area of the slope leading down to the stream of nettles and other weeds, carefully leaving the foxgloves, meadowsweet, red campion and bluebells to multiply in the loamy soil. I hope that the lily of the valley, which I introduced into the woodland garden earlier in the year will multiply happily, but I will have to wait for next Spring to see the results. There is a type of miniature euphorbia growing in here profusion naturally, of an electric green colour, which acts as a kind of ground cover.
I have also started to infill the area surrounding the drain-away for the septic tank at the edge of the woodland. Ironically, this could be the most beautiful spot overlooking the stream and with stunning views to the river valley to the south. A Tibetan tree peony has sprung up here along with several large ferns. I am waiting to plant in a couple of large bamboos once the ground is ready. By the steam, one the black bamboos Phyllostachys nigra has taken hold. In the future, I would like to make a proper wider pathway covered in chipped bark mulch leading down to the stream, past the infill area, through the woods and then up the bank by the herb garden to create a circular route. By the herb garden I have planted some ornamental trees the Chinese Redbud; Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ which has cerise flowers in April or May; another Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ for Spring colour and the Canadian Redbud, Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’. When the sun glances through the trees, the valley looks beautiful … but there has been a great deal of rain this month and the river below has flooded more than once.