I am happy to report that my garden is no worse for wear after the cold snap. The worst that happened was my courtyard fountain that froze solid. Because it's in shade, it didn't thaw for several days. I felt sad for the birdies, especially the little hummingbirds who were unable to get a drink. I'm going to look for a bird bath heater.
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| A mess, kind of pretty but still a mess. |
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| I took this photo just now. Much better. |
There is very little happening in the garden. My mostly reliable Sarcoccoca isn't quite blooming yet. But I'm enjoying these fat berries from my white-berried Skimmia. This guy grew from a cutting I snapped off from a plant I saw growing in a churchyard. That was in 2005 I think. The plant is doing well but really needs a bigger pot and fresh soil. I vow to make it happen this spring.
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| Skimmia japonica 'Wakehurst White' or ''Fructo Albo' |
My Wintersweet is still blooming but most of the flowers are up high so I have to bend the branches to get a whiff. But I'm not complaining.
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| Wintersweet or Chimonanthus praecox |
Speaking of berries, my neighbors down the street have this Pyracantha growing right next to the street. Usually they shape it into a ball after it has bloomed so there are no berries. But this past year, they did it before the blooms and look how perty it turned out.
It was in early December when I finally got all my bulbs planted. I took a photo for my records and thought I'd share it here. I'm excited to see the Martagon lilies and of course the Nectarscorum which I grew a few of last year. Also I had to get a few more Allium schubertti. I'm not a huge tulip fan but my daughter Beth is so we planted these in pots. Ditto for the hyacinth. It'll be fun to see how things look.
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| My fall bulb loot (in December) |
And finally, last spring I received and was asked to review this Gilmour Flexogen Hose and sprinkler. I didn't use it in the garden because I prefer the soft, lightweight, easy-on-my-plants Pocket Hose. However, for washing the car and other non-gardening tasks,
it works great and I highly recommend it.
And with that, I bid you adieu. I think spring is right around the corner.
