Starting 2020 with great personal loss…
I don’t ever remember a January when there wasn’t even a hint of sleet, let alone snow, yet there’s not been a flake (in fact, nothing this winter). It’s been quite dry here but windy and ridiculously mild with only the odd day of frost. Here’s my garden in pictures January…
The month has been a difficult one for me, as I finally lost my mam after a long illness. Work on my new border – indeed, everything I normally do at this time of year – has ground to a halt. Sometimes, there are more important things to deal with. However, one thing is for sure: a memorial plant will take pride of place in the bed, and it will be treasured.
My garden in pictures January – VERY early bloomers
Daffodil Tete a Tete is getting earlier every year, but this is the first time it’s opened in January! The hellebores are out in force too, as is the Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) and Euphorbia wulfenii, and its self-seeded spawn is throwing up flowering stems. There are also fresh new leaves on the Photina Pink Crispy and Sorbaria sem.
Preparing the new border
New year, new beginnings… I decided to redo the garden’s biggest border. Read more about planting a long border.
My garden in pictures January – plants for free
Part of the joy of gardening is getting plants for free, by cuttings, root cuttings, division or growing from seed. Here, I have a host of orange daylilies and primrose Moonstone.
In the conservatory
Not only have my personal circumstances stopped me in my tracks – our ‘could catch fire’ washing machine has been replaced, meaning the kitchen floor had to be lifted (don’t ask) – and it’s living in the conservatory! Aaagh!
It’s in a big roll and can’t be stood on in case it cracks, so there will be no seed sowing until that’s back where it belongs. At least the epiphytic orchid cactus brightened this up by throwing out an unexpected flower, which is my favourite of the month.
