Springing into life

Spring may have eventually arrived at Fagley Primary! The bulbs we planted in Autumn have begun to emerge. In entrance way planter, grape hyacinths now border the winter pansies. In the butterfly garden, daffodils in a variety of yellows and oranges bob merrily in the Spring breeze.

Now the latest phase of building work has been completed, we have been able to continue with our hedge laying on perimeter of the school field. We have been planting a combination of hawthorn, hazel and osier. We are also planting a small copse of downy birch and goat willow.

 These trees, donated by the Woodland Trust, should go some way to alleviating the issues we have with heavy, wet soil.

May will see the The Chelsea Flower Show celebrate its 100th year. As part of the celebrations, Miracle-Gro are creating a garden through the ages. They have asked for schools across the country  to grow flowers and vegetables to illustrate typical gardens from a number of eras over the last century. Fagley Primary have been growing plants for their 1940s garden. We have planted an old chicken feeder and tin bath with broad beans, forget-me-nots and poppies. We should find out this week whether or not our planters have been selected to exhibit at the show.

In other Chelsea Flower Show news, I have been selected to champion a plant (the Erysimum Bowles's Mauve) as part of the show's   'Plant of the Centenary' contest. More information on the Plant of the Centenary can be found on the Royal Horticultural Society website http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/POTC