Tag Archives: cyclamen

On the Subject of Spring

Posted on January 29, 2011 | 4 Comments

Purple hellebore

Things are definitely on the move. Walking round the garden it is great to see the first proper signs of new life. I didn’t spot the Iris unguicularis flower until it was looking quite tatty, but even so it’s a treat. If you’ve got a sunny corner it is a lovely winter flower to include in the garden. I’ve also seen furled cerise buds on the cyclamen and the earliest hellebores are in flower. Then there’s the Daphne odora aureamarginata and Daphne Jacqueline Postill, both of which are showing colour in their buds and will soon spread their divine scent in the cold air.

Daphne odora colouring up and preparing to flower

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Posted in In The Garden

Tagged cyclamen, daphne odora, hellbore, iris unguiculairs

A year in the garden

Posted on December 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

: January – No gardening today, time to write the seed labels

: January – snow is rare in my garden and seldom lingers

: February – Iris reticulata next to my desk

: February – Crocus tommasinianus self seeds prolifically in the Lower Garden and brightens the cold February days

: March -Peas and sweetpeas in the potager

: March – I’ve long-forgotten the name of this camellia but its pure beauty is irresistible

: April – Narcissus Thalia and The Bride surrounding the bird bath

: April -Sweet violets are popping up everywhere

: May -Tulip Barcelona next to the front door

: May – The front border has grown rapidly in the past 2 week

: June – Rosa Harlow Carr

: June -Tulip Tree tulip

: July – The front border is pretty as a picture

: July – The highly fragrant sweet pea Matucana

: August – Brandywine tomatoes in the greenhouse

: August -Dahlia Bangkok is a new favourite

: September – The Strawberry grapes are beginning to ripen

: September Web Magic

: October – My pride and joy – Begonia sutherlandii

: October – Freshly podded borlotti beans

: November – next year’s hardy annuals are looking good in the greenhouse

: November – the apricot hued hips of Cooper’s Burmese rose

: December – Myrtle berries can be used (in moderation) in cooking

: December – Cyclamen amongst the leaf litter

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Posted in In The Garden

Tagged begonia, brandywine, cyclamen, tulip tree, Tulips

Grubby Hands – At Last !

Posted on January 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sunday’s beautiful weather meant that I could do some proper gardening. I was out in the garden by 9.45am and didn’t come in until 3pm, and then only because we had to go out. In my usual style, I went out intent on doing one thing and in fact did something entirely different. Walking down to the greenhouse I got waylaid by the state of the shady bank on the edge of the path. There were old hellebore leaves that needed removing and as I tidied around them I found the first cyclamen buds begging to be revealed.

rustic-terrace-edging

One thing led to another and before I knew it I was rebuilding a terrace edge with lengths of branch recently cut from the tulip tree by the Ollie the tree surgeon. The effect is extremely rustic but sturdy and it won’t be long before its deficiencies are disguised by new growth. I did have fun!