My Little Garden 23rd Dec 2023
It’s good to be out in the garden again as we lurch into the Christmas weekend. Snowdrops continue to pop up, and there are so many buds on the early hellebores. The tatty leaves have been cleared away so that I can see the flowers and I’m amazed that a couple have opened already.
We also had the excitement on Thursday of some nacreous clouds in the middle of Storm Pia. There may only have been a yellow warning from the Met Office, but the winds were extremely strong and far worse than the other recent storm, whose name I have forgotten.
In a small north-facing garden like mine, there is never any winter sun to enjoy or give particularly good light for photographs, so I’m continuing my look back at the gardening year. This week I’m reflecting on the last three months of the year, and I’ve noticed that I didn’t make much of an effort (none in fact!) to make any cheery autumn /winter pots. I must do better next year. Here are my six:
- Hydrangea
Little Lime was well and truly pink in October.
And in December, it has brown flowers with a dusting of frost on the day this photo was taken.
2. Clematis
My new clematis decided to flower very late, and that was lovely to see. My other new clematis ‘Willy’ isn’t looking so good, and as it was a gift from a real clematis expert, I’m keeping everything crossed that I see new growth in 2024.
3. Frost
We’ve had a few frosts already, and I wonder what the new year will bring.
4. Christmas tree
Here is my little Picea Glauca covered in frost in the garden.
And here it is in the porch, looking a bit wonky with a few decorations that have been helpfully rearranged by a granddaughter or two.
5. Clouds
Here is the nacreous cloud I mentioned. The photo doesn’t do it justice but it was really impressive to see.
6. Hellebore
Looking rather splendid I think, and it will continue to flower for the next few months.
I’ll finish by wishing everyone a very happy Christmas. I may see you next Saturday but if not, the first Saturday of January 2024.
Have fun!
