What’s new in the square

Hamamelis mollis

You will have noticed that the AA’s stalwart volunteer gardeners have finally cleared the southeast corner of the perimeter border. The parched earth needed many barrows of compost and manure – so apologies that for a few days in early November, there was a whiff of Ambridge about Arlingtonia. Replenishing the earth was very necessary so that the new plants can flourish for many years.

Daphne odora

There will eventually be a mixture of small ornamental trees and shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs to provide year-round interest. The new plants include rhododendrons, Styrax (‘snowbell’), acers (maples), flowering dogwood and hardy gingers.

Mahonia japonica

Elsewhere in the square now and early in 2017, look out for the vivid yellows of Mahonia japonica and Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel), the subtler pinks of Daphne odora (winter daphne) and Daphne bholua (Nepalese paper plant), and the striking red stems of Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’.

Acer ‘Sango-kaku’

Future planting plans include using the Tesco Bags of Help money to replant the circular beds, which are now looking a little tired. We hope to add noticeable edging and return the beds to their true circular shape. The plants and shrubs that are there now will be replanted elsewhere in the square.

Above: new planting in the southeast corner of the square