My Little Garden 07th Nov 2020
I feel the need to be very cheerful in my blog this week so I won’t be mentioning Covid-19, Lockdown or politics…… although the news from the other side of the pond is looking very positive! Before I get started on the garden though, I need to express my absolute horror that there were no Yorkshire Teabags in Tesco yesterday (other supermarkets are available). If new supplies aren’t forthcoming in the next week I shall have to buy an inferior brand or introduce rationing! Why are people panic buying again?
This little domestic crisis aside, I am extremely pleased that the rain finally stopped towards the end of the week and I could make a start on my tulip planting jobs. I began with the garden I call my lockdown project (see separate blog)and turned up on site on Friday morning ever so slightly nervous to see how the planting was looking after some building work had started. I have to say that the builders have been brilliant, and only the plants in the border very close to the house have had to be temporarily located. I also got a very nice cup of tea so all was right with the world as I planted in the November sunshine.
In my own garden, there has been a big change after the storm of last weekend. The combination of wind and rain saw off the last of the summer annuals, although I suspect that the mid-week frost would have put paid to the last remaining zinnia anyway.
So these are my six choices for the first week of November.
1.The first of the hellebores is coming along nicely. I was hoping for a flower to open before the end of the year but the mild weather has hurried things along. I’ve had this plant for a few years now and it’s one of the varieties whose leaves look good throughout the year.
2. The viburnum lost it’s leaves last weekend but has a good smattering of deliciously scented flowers. In summer it just provides a green backdrop that obscures the fence, but the winter flowers are very welcome.
The buds start off pink but the flowers turn white as they open out
3. The third winter flower to join the November garden party is the mahonia. Unfortunately for me the first flowers to open were in a difficult spot to photograph but I did my best under prickly circumstances.
I also tried to take a photo from behind the plant just because I thought the light might look interesting. I’m not sure it was worth the effort.
4. As well as the winter flowers, I had a surprise rose bud this week. Thank you Gertrude. A very welcome sight for November.
5. Geranium Rozanne is still proving it’s worth although it was looking a bit sorry for itself in the rain.
6. But the cotinus is going from strength to strength. I know this stage doesn’t last long, but the colours are very beautiful.
So that’s my Six on Saturday for another week. Links to lots more ‘sixes’ can be found on the blog of The Propagator who is the creator of this weekly collection. There are also many more excellent photos and blogs on twitter under the hashtag #SixonSaturday
https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/
Wishing you a great weekend.
