Month: November 2015

Well, all my bird feeders are filled up and out now. I know that really they should be kept going even throughout the summer months. But in truth, they just poop all over my prized possessions in the garden. Anyway, they’re up since during the week and only now have begun to devour what’s being left out for them.

But the best thing that I spotted today was a Buzzard flying around in the field ‘over the wall’. And he has now taken to perching on the lamp post at the end of the Cul de Sac at the end of the road, which backs onto this field. I got so excited to see him. A bit blurred as I had to crop the photos.

Can’t believe it is 11 days since I posted here! Been a bit busy with other stuff and of course the weather hasn’t been encouraging …

However today I found time for a little bit of stuff – mainly repairing damage from the storms – the greenhouse had a narrow escape – one of the panes blew out and I could have had the disaster I had last year. Fortunately I’ve been able to sort it out this time. Then one of my arches on the Clematis Walk was starting to come adrift so that needed a bit of fixing too. 

Having done that I went on a “camera walk” round the garden and was thrilled at what I found ….

A poppy? In November?

Mahonia just getting going – no black spot this year!

And in the greenhouse – maybe not as spectacualr as Rachels ….. Attar of Roses!

in the mist,is it usual for the different colours?.

I,ve only had the white ,this year two other colours,all from the same self sown seed.

I have about 7 Acers here and this one (A. Ribesfolium) is the last to hold onto its leaves. Actually it even has a new bit of growth. In spring time the stems turn a lovely deep shade of red.

for the specialist tree lopper to remove the 2 damaged gum tree,s he,s a busy man,big yard could look better but it,s a tidy mess.

Today I lifted my favorite Pom Pom Dahlias and Also some Gladiolus nearby. Ive washed and dried them but now wonder should I break apart the two main Dahlia into smaller singles or leave until Spring? 

The Glads have loads of small bulbs attached which I just love . Are these worth keeping as Iam a bit of a Seed gatherer anyhow. More of the glads seem to be doubled now so should I break these apart too ?

Yes a big surprise to find this Eryngium growing in November. 

I planted this as a seed last Spring and eventually planted it out in my greenhouse border. It has had lots of foliage all Summer but not a shoot in sight. 

Here we are in November and yes it’s producing a tall stem!!! How odd!! I didn’t recognise it until I was out yesterday clearing up the leaves in this border. This weather has everything confused!! 

Also still flowering away is my Amazonian lily. A beautiful deep orange to brighten up the garden. 

Following on from Rachel’s wonderful talk the other evening, it spurred me on to kick myself into action this morning.

The photos show what two hours spent on one border can yeild. A lot of cutting back, removal, and potting up of tenders (still more to do), more leaf bagging. Delighted to have got the few hours in, it was lovely and mild and totally enjoyed the morning.

Couldn’t believe it the other day when I spotted lots of new leaf buds and a few flowers opening on my Exochorda macrantha. And also my white Centaurea. Talk about out of sync?????

The girls helped me plant up these Amaryllis back on the 15th October. They are growing so fast. So the one on the left, Cara’s one, was growing so fast but then Mae’s  one just took off at a mad rate and now it’s starting to open. 

There will be great excitement when they see the flower trying its best to open up. 

Not a great morning but hopefully it will clear up soon  

The gardening seasons are getting more and more mixed up as we approach our coldest and most miserable time. 

I had some self-sown Nicotiana in the front garden during the summer after me not having any at all for at least 5 yrs. 

Just coming in from the doctor a few minutes ago and spotted some more opening up. Strange goings-on in the gardening world altogether!

A miserable end to the month of November with strong winds and rain. This month has had it’s fair share of wet and windy weather, but the temperatures have been very warm. The lane at this stage has been stripped clean and has become very wet underfoot. The snowdrops have broken the surface already and should look good in February. We have a few hydrangeas growing in the lane and one of them is looking good at the moment, but unfortunately we have no name for it. It was a gift given to me when we first came here.

I have uploaded my first album of The Lane tracking the changes which happen over the course of a year and I hope you will find it  interesting.