Solar Panels

Another frost, yesterday, and more time spent clearing the cotoneaster. The plants we set out to remove this time are now gone, probably representing 40% of the bed cleared. It's unveiled two hebes (which I've cut almost entirely down, to see if they rejuvenate: no tears if they don't), and revealed a silver birch and rhododendron that were previously emerging from the cotoneaster canopy. The latter's a bit leggy, but we'll see how it does.

Having cleared the cotoneaster, we've immediately used the space to plant out the large number of perennials that have been in pots for up to the last 18 months, so hopefully they'll be a lot more content. At the same time, we planted 160 tête à tête narcissi, and 50 Iris reticulata 'Harmony' from recent orders.

We also had an appointment with a renewable energy company, as installation of photovoltaic solar panels is, now, pressing. We're not sure, though, about their quote, so we're going to be hitting the phones over the next few days to get something sorted rapidly.

Tonight was our normal garden centre's annual Christmas launch event. We're not, normally, keen on starting Christmas in November, but we make an exception: mostly because of the mincepies and wine, and the fact that there's 15% off (almost) everything on the night.

I'm always surprised how little use people make of this: we always get a few routine things as well as anything festive that catches our eye. This year, as well as an illuminated Christmas thing (photo in a month, if I remember), we picked up some willow trellis, some ivies and skimmia, and a quince.

I am uncannily excited about the quince. I've wanted one for ages, but the 'right' variety wasn't available from the nursery where we bought our other fruit trees. A bare-root 1-year maiden can, with searching, be had for about £20 (plus delivery). Obviously, that's smaller than a three-year tree, but they usually run to £35-40. However—and here's the really pleasing part—the garden centre had kindly sent a '50% off an outdoor plant' voucher to me (part of their loyalty scheme). Restrictions on its use did not encompass fruit trees, which I suddenly realised while browsing heucheras. Off to the end of the yard we went, and found a 'Leskovac' or 'Serbian Gold' 8 foot, 3-year-old tree: £19.

Serbian Gold is very hardy, and produces heavy crops of apple-shaped fruit—or so I am hoping. In a year or two, I'm hoping to make some marmelo, and quince jelly, and a very exciting apple tart.