Moving The Tender Plants To Their Winter Home

Removing The Banana Plant

Not wanting to wait until the first frosts arrive, the team have been digging out the tender plants that need winter protection and taking them back to the greenhouse.

Suited And Booted

One of the plants, the Red Abyssinia Banana, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', causes a slight problem due to its close proximity to the large leafed Rice Paper Plant, Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'. Due to the  dust on the underside of the Tetrapanax leaves, which can cause irritation to the lungs and eyes, coveralls, goggles and a face mask are worn when digging out the banana plant. This time it was Danny's turn to adorn the outfit as he dug out the plant. 

Albizia In The Border

Working their way along the border, Ali and Danny carefully dig out all the remaining tender plants, even the small Albizia trees, and transport them back to the greenhouse. 

Moving The Albizia

The Last Of Five Trailers

Over two days the team have filled up the trailer five time with plants big and small, potted them in to containers and placed them under glass where they will remain until next June.

Tender Plants Under Glass

The herbaceous border is now full of empty spaces where all the tender plants once stood but the greenhouse is filling up fast.

Holes In The Herbaceous Border