Parrotia persica 'Vanessa'

Over the last two days six new trees have been planted in the college grounds. Graham and Ali spent time this morning planting one of these trees, Parrotia persica 'Vanessa', Persian Ironwood. Supplied in a 65 litre bag, the Parrotia, dormant at the moment, is a medium sized tree, reaching a height of 10-15 metres on maturity. Chosen for its stunning autumn colour it is a welcome addition to the Nuffield Lawn. The other five trees planted were Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak), Taxodium distichum (Swamp Cypress), Sequoiadendron giganteum Glauca (Giant Sequoia) and 2 Malus 'Evereste' (Crab Apple).

50 Meters Of Wire

Over the last few days Graham and Ali have been adding new wires and replacing old wire for some of the climbing plants on the college buildings and walls. The biggest task was to add three new rows of wire for the Vitis coignetiae, Crimson Glory Vine, that is up against the wall of the staircase 24 block of the Ruskin Building accomodation. A Ladder, battery drill, rawl plugs, vine eyes, turn buckles, wire cutters and 50 meters of 1.6mm galvanised wire, the complete kit for providing new support for the college climbing plants.

Post And Rail Fence

The first new project of the year has continued, a new yew hedge has been planted and the area levelled in preparation for grass seed to be sown in the Spring. Starting yesterday, a new post and rail fence has been constructed around the Provost's garage.

A Further Section Of Yew Hedge

Sometimes projects can feel finished but are never truely completed. Almost two years ago, an old privet hedge was removed and replaced with a new yew hedge, see blog entries 'Privet Hedge' 14th March 2011, '70 Yew In One Day' 11th April 2011 'The Last Section' 18th April 2011, 'Where Did We Put It?' 21st April 2011. Well, now that three Leylandii have been removed and the last section of privet removed, a further section of yew has been planted. The end of the yew hedge project, that remains to be seen.

Campsis radicans

Campsis radicans is a vigorous, self clinging, woody, deciduous climber which produces clusters of red trumpet shaped flowers on the current years growth in late summer to early autumn. Pruned by the team at this time of year, along with all the climbing roses and wisteria, last years growth is cut back to a pair of buds. However, the Campsis above the door to the Provost's garden, located in the right hand corner of the front quad, has had a radical prune by Ali, (hence her nick name, Radical Ali). Last year Simon did a test prune on one of the old branches and, as it responded well to this test, it was decided that the remainder of the climber could also be pruned in this manner. (The reason for this, some might say drastic pruning, is that it had got too tall and beyond the safe reach of the ladders when working over the spiked railings.) Under Simon's instruction, Ali radically pruned the Campsis.

First New Project Of The Year

Not slow at getting going in the new gardening year, the team have immediately started a new project in an unkempt corner of the garden. Towards the end of last year three large Leylandii trees were removed and the area they had occupied left abondoned until now. The first task of this new project was to remove an old, tired privet hedge and replace with a new yew hedge. Rather than dig it out using manual labour and brute force, the New Holland tractor with the grap attachment was used to rip it out. The project will continue over the coming weeks.

Welcome To Worcester College Gardens 2013

Happy New Year to all our reader and followers, and best wishes for 2013.
Fresh from a two week break, following the college shut down, the team returned, to what I am sure, will be another busy year in the Worcester College Gardens. The blog will continue to record these activities throughout the coming twelve months, so keep reading and leaving your comments.