More Cyclamen planting with Stewart in Howard's Field.
We moved some large Hydrangea aspera subsp. sargentiana from the Chilean Glade wrongly labelled as Hydrangea paniculata 'Floribunda'. It was definitely the former as it the size was indicative, the heads were flat mopheads rather than conical, it flowers on 2nd year old wood - aspera means rough which maybe referring to its characteristic peeling bark and rough or almost furry flowering stems and buds.
We did some rough pruning, particularly cutting out the dead or overly crossing branches to help lessen the weight of them. Then as they're so open, we tied them up with string also for ease of moving. Again Andy excavated the soil around them and then lifted them with a mini digger, a metal chain was used to tie around the root of the shrub, as the shape was unyieldy and it helped secure it onto the machine. Then walking alongside the machine we guided it to where it was to go next. This was an area not too far at the bottom of Battleston Hill also on the South side. We did in the interim go dig some holes ready for the Hydrangea, Andy took over with his digger, as it became apparent that the size of the holes required was faster and easier done by machinery.
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| Photo 1: Hydrangeas being prepared for digging up |
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| Photo 2: Hydrangea replanted in its new site. |