January has been very wintery, which is good as it is a winter month. We have had a lot of rain and quite a bit of snow which means that the ground is saturated. This has meant there has been very little opportunity to get any meaningful gardening done. The garden does not seem to know this and carries on regardless.
In the side front lawn the Aconite Wave is about to flower. I looked back and it is nearly seven years since I planted these aconites. It took them a year or two to really settle down and flower but now I expect to see them rather than expect not to. This is huge progress.
The variegated rhamnus, bought so many years ago on a trip to Hidcote Manor, always looks good this time of year in particular. It thrives in this shady spot and when I look at it I remember that happy day and that happy time and I smile. I have taken a cutting from this shrub and planted one into the back garden as well. It is very small at the moment but it seems to be growing well.
Under the magnolia in the front garden there are snowdrops and hellebores emerging. The buds are forming on the tree peony and I hopeful it will flower well this year.
There is a young hamamelis just by the front gate and it has its first ever flowers this year.
I have left these poppy skeletons in the front garden, I will remove them at some point but I love how they look at the moment.
The Quince Hedge is covered in flowers this year and the Sarcococcas on the doorstep are providing scent.
The Long Shoot is looking very wintery with the sedums doing their winter thing of providing structure. I am surprised that Trev is not sinking into the lawn up to his knees, it really is very squelchy.
The snowdrop hanging basket is looking quite snowdroppy this year. I have not replanted it or added to it so far this year, I am just seeing what happens.
In the Courtyard Garden the aspidistras are looking happy overwintering outside. The baby Monkey Puzzle Tree which I have had for a few years now is growing well. It was probably about 15 cm tall when I bought it and now I would say it is 30 cm. I will keep it in a pot for now, but one day if it is very good I know just the place where it can be planted into its forever home.
In the Exotic Border the Tree Ferns are pretending to be pirates. I am fairly sure they are talking to each other as if they are escapees from a Long John Silver movie.
In the Spring Border the Easton Walled Gardens snowdrops are on the way up. Usually this time of year I would be planning a visit to go and see the snowdrops there. I always buy a pot and plant them in this part of the garden. That way I know these are Easton snowdrops. This will not be happening this year as Easton is not 'local' to me, but in spirit I will be there.
At the top of the Wild Garden there are the Hodsock Priorty snowdrops and cyclamen. Similar as to above when I visit Hodsock I always buy a reminder of my visit and plant them in the same area. These cyclamen are now seeding around well and this clump has spread out to be more than I originally planted.
In the Wild Garden itself the snowdrops are doing well. I plant usually a hundred or so every year and I love that now I can look at my garden and think that one day it will be a proper snowdrop garden.
This hamamelis in the Wild Garden is flowering its best ever this year. It struggled to establish at first but now it is coming on very well.
As I walk past the Magnolia Leonard Messel I can see that the outer protective covering is popping away from the buds beneath. Mr Messel is getting ready for Spring.
Trev continues to follow me around the garden and as I pause to look at the snowdrops in the Accidental Shrubbery he leaps onto his chair in his best 'look at me' fashion.
and the Four Sisters are also enjoying the Winter Sun on this day. It even feels like there is a glimmer of warmth in the sun today.
The greenhouse is currently at Half Havisham, there is not as much overwintering in there as usual which is rather a gamble but one that came from little choice. Breaking my ankle restricted what I could do for several weeks but also means that I still should not be lifting anything heavy. So some of the bigger plants I would usually bring undercover are having to fend for themselves. Most seem ok....
I end as is traditional with the pond, which is as full as full can be. The dreaded Carex pendula is much thinned but plotting its revenge occupation of the borders again. I need to remove more/all of it. Shame really as I like what it looks like but it makes most other garden thugs look very compliant.
Thanks as ever to Helen for hosting this meme.
Stay safe and be kind.
