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Hubby has now managed to source some bubblewrap so the containers which my small trees are planted in have been swathed in the stuff. It should help to keep the roots from freezing when the cold weather eventually arrives.
It's that time of year again when the bunnies are brought down from the grass on to the patio. Throughout summer, their hutches are moved on to the grass so that the doors can be left open and they can come and go in to their run as they please. In winter, the grass gets so sodden that this isn't an option, so we move the hutches on to the patio. It gives them a bit of protection here against the elements and they get plenty of attention each time someone passes by, they'd be a bit out on a limb on the grass as we don't venture up there as much in winter. They still get carried on to the grass to have a run around on fine days, but at least they're all set for winter now.
Don't waste your time on the bubble wrap, cotoneaster is as tough as old boots and a really fine overlooked plant. Great for a north wall.
ReplyDeleteMy latest post shows one of mine that has self seeded
(sorry I might have misunderstood - the bubble wrap will be valuable on more tender plants)
My cotoneaster is in my shady front garden planted in the ground and as you say, is as tough as old boots. It's my patio fruit trees which have been wrapped in bubblewrap. I haven't bothered in previous years but I'd hate to lose any of them so I'm sure it won't harm to err on the side of caution.
DeleteWhen I think of cotoneaster I think of my mother's garden and love it. I haven't had any luck with it here, but will try again I think. Our cold weather has hit with a vengeance. We plan on finishing winterizing the garden today -- still have some stuff to put away. We don't have bunnies thought -- sounds like yours have a great life! P. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you haven't had any luck with cotoneaster so far, but it's well worth trying again with. It's such a great shrub for wildlife. Winter weather is on its way here too, roll on spring is what I say. Our bunnies are very pampered pets.
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ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a good year for cotoneaster berries so the blackbirds will be happy. I wonder if you will attract fieldfares or redwings too.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a good year for all kinds of berries, I wonder if that means it's going to be a harsh winter. I've never seen fieldfares for redwings around here but I'd love to attract something new in to the garden.
DeleteI really enjoy the contoneaster berries this time of year. I've seen a garden that looks as if it has a cotoneaster tree - a stalk with a canopy of green covered in berries and it is divine.
ReplyDeleteCotoneaster shrubs are gorgeous at this time of year. I think there's varieties of cotoneaster which look like trees so it's probably one of these which you've seen, I bet it looks wonderful.
DeleteI have an empty shady front garden, so I shall remember cotoneaster as a possible shrub to plant one day.
ReplyDeleteIt would do well in your shady front garden, and you'd be rewarded well for planting one. The bees, butterflies and birds would love you forever.
DeleteOh your cotoneaster is still so green Jo. The foliage on mine is now orangey red . I wonder if we have different varieties. I think mine is horizontalis but I can't be sure. It came to me many moons ago from my dad without a label. Don't know much about bunnies. Are there hutches out all year round or do you bring them in when it's really cold?
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that this photo was taken a few weeks ago, though the shrub hasn't changed at all in that time. There are many varieties so perhaps we do have different ones. The bunnies are outside the year round, though they are well looked after, they get plenty of hay to bed down in, they've got a space age covering on their hutch, and carpet on top of that. We do bring them inside from time to time but only for a hop round, they live outdoors.
DeleteBeautiful plants. I have never seen this plant before. So fascinating. Is the fruit edible?
ReplyDeleteIt's a great shrub for attracting wildlife. The berries aren't edible, but the birds love them.
DeleteWhat sort of cotoneaster is it, Jo? We've been revisiting the cotoneasters at college, it's been such a good year for berries - and not just for cotoneaster! Crab apples and pyracantha are all laden with berries as well! It's wonderful that nature provides for wildlife even as the weather turns cold!
ReplyDeleteI don't know which sort it is, it was in the garden when we moved here twenty years ago, so it hasn't done bad, has it? You're right, there's so many berries around this year, it makes me wonder if we're going to get a harsh winter.
DeleteIf I had a garden it would have a cotoneaster in it.
ReplyDeleteHave we ever pictures of the bunnies? Flighty xx
It's definitely a shrub that every wildlife lover should plant in their garden. I have introduced the bunnies on the blog previously but I may do another post about them soon.
DeleteI will always associate Cotoneaster with my Grandma, who had several bushes of it. An "old perennial" which is coming back into favour, big time!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how plants go out of fashion and then regain favour again. I think people have realised how beneficial cotoneaster is for wildlife, it certainly earns its place in the garden.
DeleteI have Cotoneaster which has self seeded and grows wild by the railings, mine has much more spindly branches though.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you will have happy winter bunnies....ahhhhh xxx
I've had my plant ever since we moved here, over twenty years ago. It doesn't really need much care yet gives so much of itself. I think the bunnies prefer summer when they can come and go on to the grass as they please, but they enjoy all the attention they get now that they're on the patio.
DeleteMy Mum has a cottoneaster in the back garden but I never knew what it was called. I think I will have to be getting one for the bee plot shrubbery!!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a brilliant plant for the bee plot, its always covered in bees in my garden.
DeleteCotoneaster are great aren't they, so pretty at this time of year with all their red berries. I hope that all your birds enjoy their snacks! Hope also that the bunnies like their new winter home. xx
ReplyDeleteCotoneaster is a smashing shrub, it's got so much going for it. The birds and the bees certainly like it.
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