My garden in November

November was all about leaves. Or rather, collecting all the leaves that autumn deposited on the grass. And when I say collecting leaves, that’s something I leave to MOH. This year rather than managing to collect them over a few weekends it was left to a single weekend, and there was a master plan, to use the lawn mower. I was a fan as it gave me a legitimate excuse to make myself scarce.

looking up the garden

That gave me a good opportunity to take some pictures. The agapanthus are always good fodder and even this month was no exception. I was supposed to be covering them up for winter, and I did, but first a couple more pictures…

agapanthus flower heads

The fatsia was flowering and the flowers are a great contrast against the dark leaves.

fatsia flowers

Phase one of leaf collection, was still to create piles on the grass. Phase two was to mow them.

plenty of leaves

Next door’s scaffolding is still up and providing some shelter for the jasmine. On closer inspection it wasn’t providing that much for the patio as that has mortar chippings, as does the conservatory roof. Our neighbour has already offered to pay for the cleaning, so that’s all good.

jasmine and next door's scaffolding

Meanwhile, phase three of the leaves was taking shape. And the bag was filling up.

leaves collected

There is still some colour in the garden, mostly just the pyracantha berries, but they’re very welcome.

pyracantha berries

But that’s all I can muster for colour in the garden at the moment, how about you?

Plant away the Winter Blues this December

Brrrr… But thinking about getting out into the garden is often worse than actually being out there. Once I’ve made it outside I find plenty of jobs to do, and wonder why it took me so long. And it’s true a winter garden is a fabulous place, and December in the garden can be pretty special. Whether it’s the delicate flowers, intoxicating fragrance, evergreen foliage, tactile barks and bright jewel-like fruits and berries.

Winter displays come to life on sunny days, but for a moment of magic you can’t beat a frosty morning - remember to take your phone (or camera) to capture some great shots of leaves and buds coated by crystals.

winter-270037.jpg

There’s jobs for winter too - clearing away the remains of summer’s bedding, sweeping up the final fallen leaves of autumn and improving the soil by forking in generous quantities of compost. Not forgetting the birds, regularly cleaning and topping up their feeders and birdbaths.

Plants for winter colour:

  • Winter honeysuckle

  • Daphnes

  • Witch Hazel

  • Winter Jasmine

  • Winter Heathers

  • Holly

  • Rowan

  • Snowberry

  • Pyracantha

Gardens for winter colour inspiration:

  • Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire

  • Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge

  • RHS Garden Harlow Carr’s Winter Walk

  • Cambridge Botanic Gardens

  • Dyrham House and Park, near Bath

  • Bressingham Gardens, Norfolk

  • Dunham Massey’s Winter Garden, Cheshire

  • Barnsdale Gardens, Rutland

From this list I’ve only made it to Anglesey Abbey and Harlow Carr, so would be very keen to see your visits to any of these gardens, if you’ve been. Otherwise I’m looking forward to reading any garden-related posts.

“TheGardenYear

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Post Comment Love 29 November - 1 December

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. This week I’m joined for the first time by my new co-host Suzanne, please join me in giving her a warm welcome. I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked and share some of that love.

I’m still up against too many deadlines at work, and running out of week to make them happen. I’m currently not sure how I’m going to make what needs to happen, or what I could cull if need be, but I’m also sure I’ll come up with a plan, of sorts. I need a plan to catch up with my blog reading too, though I think I’ll be struggling for that this weekend, and not for the reason you probably imagine.

This weekend we’re having my family Christmas, like you do. Or rather, like we do. It’s early, I know but it’ll good to have almost everyone together. I’m sure though my Instagram stories will be a bit odd, as we’re having the works, turkey and all the trimmings, and no doubt there’ll be board games too. It’s the earliest we’ve had our Christmas, but at least Sunday is actually December. Sunday will be our Boxing Day and I’m assured there’ll be bubble and squeak and turkey sandwiches. We’ll do the whole Christmas thing again on the proper day, but with MOH’s family.

Like spare time, photos have been few and far between this week, and so I’m sharing one from Unsplash which is way nicer than the weather’s been too. I’m not after a white Christmas, or even a fake white fake Christmas, but something other than grey would be nice.

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