November 2014 |
The bed at the end of November still had a very Autumnal feel too it, with the odd summer flower still remaining. Most of the perennials were cut back at the beginning of the month and I managed a fair bit of weeding. I am one of those gardeners that feels the need to cut back plants at this time of the year - the last man standing, so to speak is the Verbena bonariensis. I continue to hope that it will seed itself elsewhere, success in having this plant set seed in the garden is something that has eluded me for the previous 4 years. Will 2015 be any different I wonder.
End of Month View December 2014 |
Cornus cuttings |
The fence and trellis are still rather bare but that's only to be expected so early on in scheme of things but the Photinia Red Robin I spent so much time being negative about at the beginning of the year has put on a good amount of growth as is already a foot or so above the height of the trellis. Photinia fraseri Red Robin can be a rather fickle plant here in Scotland so it's best not to form too much of an attachment too it. Philadelphus Belle Etoile is still holding tight to some of her foliage and I took the opportunity to lop out a few of the older stems. I am hoping it will benefit the plant by giving it a better shape and those arching stems are not so dense looking next year.
Other evergreen elements in this border are a Heuchera, Bergenia and Chionochloa. They are 3 plants I like individually but am not convinced about them being placed together here. The colours all work well together, they were exactly as I saw in my mind's eye but something is bugging me and I can't quite put my finger on it.
Chionochloa rubra, Bergenia Overture and unnamed Heuchera |
Frosty Oriental Poppy foliage |
As the time focussed on this border draws to an end, my thoughts now turn to which part of the garden I want to showcase for 2015. I have no projects in hand - everything I wanted to achieve in the garden this year has been accomplished. A new project/opportunity will present itself, this I have no doubt. The weather has not allowed those niggling ideas in my mind to develop to a full blown project. On that basis, I have narrowed down two areas of the garden that are contenders for my post come January. The front garden is currently my favoured area, closely followed by the shady bed I reshuffled in autumn. We shall see what takes my fance come the end of January.
All that is left now is for me to thank Helen for being such a welcoming host and invite you to join us all in 2015.
Finally, I wanted to share with you the good news I am ending the year with. I am to be a Grandma for the first time at the beginning of July. We are excited to welcome a new member to our small family. Since my brothers kids were all born overseas, it's been a long time since we've had a baby in our midst! 25 years to be precise. I'm sure it's just like riding a bike. As well as the baby too look forward to, there's the next 6 months of my eldest niece telling me that if I'm lucky she might move in to help with the baby sitting! I'm not so sure a screaming baby and a hormonal 13 year old does it for me and luck just doesn't come into it.
All the very best when the New Year comes! See you all next year!