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2020 Covid-19 Memories

Bill Tait, Ferry Road Allotments
The entrance gates to the Ferry Road allotments was once an entrance into Easter Warriston House, now the Crematorium.  As with many manors, avenues of trees were planted and several are still growing as one approaches the plots.  In the late winter to early spring, there is a drift of snowdrops, snowflakes and winter aconites to greet plot holders. These were planted by my three grandchildren, ‘in the green.’

That is, planting just as the flowers are fading.  Clumps of existing bulbs are divided into groups of three to five and planted randomly from, nine to twelve inches (22 – 30 cm) apart. Wide ‘V’ shaped cuts are made in the soil, two inches (5 cm) deep; the point of the ‘V’ is lifted up with a hand fork and the bulbs slipped in and the soil firmed back on top.  Within a few years, the bulbs will have increased creating an even greater display.
 
Further into the site is a selection of shrubs planted to add interest.  A white winter flowering Viburnum farreri begins the year and is followed by an Amelanchier, also with white, narrow petalled flowers.  This plant has glorious autumn colour.  A clump of the double yellow flowers of Kerria japonica is increasing in size but the yellow flowering tree peony is slower growing. A Rhododendron and a Pieris rescued from a garden have salmon pink and white flowers.  A ‘Beauty Bush’ Kolkwitzia amabilis has been smothered in pink blooms on arching stems and is followed by the sweetly fragrant Philadelphus microphyllus.  Hanging from a gean tree is a creamy rose, grown from a hardwood cutting from Gosford estate.
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