local outdoors


Happy New Year and I trust everyone had a great festive season? December was very busy with Christmas tree sales, conservation work and children attending Santa’s Grotto. Although regarded by many as the quieter time of the year, the next few months will see much activity, not only conservation work in the woods and gardens, but also gearing up for our next big event ‘Snowdrops’ which takes place throughout February. We all look forward to seeing you on the estate soon.


Forthcoming events: Sun 8th Jan - Winter Wonderland Walk - 11am - 3pm


Blow away the Christmas cobwebs on this 7 mile guided walk up to Knockmountain, including some steep climbs. Packed lunch required. Sun 15th Jan - Conservation Day - 10am – 4pm


Join the Rangers rhododendron bashing and make a positive difference on the estate. All you need is energy, enthusiasm, old work clothes, boots, waterproofs and your lunch (unless you wish to buy one in the tea room?).


Sun 29th Jan - Big Garden Bird Watch - 1pm -4pm


Join in with nationally important ‘Big Garden Bird Watch’ to count birds in the garden. Garden


Our gardener Willie says ‘We can normally expect January to be our coldest month of the year and probably the wettest too, with average rainfall in the region of 200-250mm, however, even in these poor conditions we can still enjoy the garden. Many shrubs and plants in our winter border will be blooming; The Silk- tassel bush (Garrya eliptica) looks stunning with its long silver catkins which can measure up to14” (35mm) in length; Viburnum bodnantense with their rose tinted flowers, (which are sweetly scented) are still in bloom and are great value plants as they bloom for most of the winter. Even though flowers are scarce at this time of year, there are many evergreens; Conifers, Hollies, Mahonias etc which add great structure to the garden (especially when draped with fresh snow), they make great subjects for photographers and artists alike.


My plant of the month for January is Galanthus nivalis (the snowdrop), as they pop their heads through, around the end of the month, they bring a ‘freshness’ to the garden and signal to us that spring is just around the corner.


Tip of the month; Transplant Snowdrops whilst still ‘in the green’, as they have a much better survival rate than ones grown from bulbs and they prefer to be planted in groups, divide clumps every 4 years or so and replant at a depth of 2-3” (5-7.5cms), in groups of 3 or 5.’


Help required with Snowdrops


Regular visitors will be aware that February is Snowdrop time at Finlaystone and many hours are spent lifting, splitting, selling and replanting these magnificent plants. If you would like to be part of this activity, even if it is just for a couple of hours, please contact Norah or Chris as soon as possible on 01475 540505.


Volunteers


Our regular volunteers are really getting stuck in to many tasks in the woodlands and gardens, but we are still looking for more! If you are one of those special elusive people who have time on their hands we’d like to hear from you. Volunteering at Finlaystone is a great chance to meet people, learn new skills and have a bit of fun as well as keeping fit & active! We are looking for help in the gardens and woodlands particularly. A few hours a week would certainly make a tremendous difference to what we can achieve.


Finlaystone Decorative & Ornamental Trees


We have a fine selection of decorative ornamental garden & landscaping trees available that will provide spring, summer & autumn colours, as well as giving privacy in a garden. If interested please email info@finlaystone. co.uk or check our website.


Feedback


We are always looking for ways we can improve the estate, events, website etc., so if there are any comments you wish to make on any of these, or anything else about the estate or our activities, please do not hesitate to drop me an email at info@finlaystone.co.uk. Thanks.


David L Finnis On behalf of all at Finlaystone | www.advertizer.co.uk| 01505 613340 and 01505 874385 | 27


Paisley Flower Club


Held on the last Tuesday of each month at 2.15pm in The Auditorium, School Wynd, Paisley. For further information call Catherine on 0141 887 8234.


when most other plants are dormant. Daphnes hate transplanting and should only be pruned when


absolutely necessary.


Prune back any Wisteria side shoots to about 10cm [4in] in length. This pruning ensures that the plant will flower more profusely later on in the year.


By feeding the birds in your gar den, you can help them survive the worst of the winter weather.


A Happy New Year in The Garden


Hellebores herald the start of the New Year, with most plants coming into bloom in early January. Plant with plenty of organic matter in the soil.


Bring some winter cheer to your garden by planting a Daphne for early colour and a stunning scent. This lovely plant makes an ideal shrub for the small garden because it is quite slow growing and flowers during the late winter


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