Saturday 30 December 2017

Six on Saturday - 30 December 2017

Joining in for my second Six on Saturday after a quick scoot around the garden this afternoon at the end of a difficult year. A lot of things have felt like a struggle this year and I think I'm not alone in looking forward to a more positive year next year.

Being more positive is going to be my buzzword for 2018 for starters!

I was quite surprised as I walked around the garden on this mild but windy last Saturday of 2017, to see signs of new growth in the borders. I've neglected the garden a little since I got my allotment 4 1/2 years ago but I'm hoping to make amends in the coming months, having made a tentative start this year.

ONE
I've decided I have a 'thing' for hellebores. I love the colours of the flowers; so subtle but such variety in their limited palette of pinks, mauves and white.

Pale pink Hellebore flower
I inherited two hellebores in my garden when I moved here, one white and one pale pink. For some reason the white one died on me but the pink one is going strong and I spotted this new flower bud this afternoon.
I remedied the loss of the white one by planting a new white variety to replace it a few months ago. I seem to have lost the name of it but think it's a double white. I love them so much I think I need to get another couple to fill the bed.

TWO
In another area that I've worked on this summer, I planted a pieris. Again I love the flash of red in their new growth. This one is just getting going, the variety is Mountain Fire.

Pieris, 'Mountain Fire'

THREE
I planted some more daffs in the same bed and it was pleasing to see those poking their tips through the soil.

New daffs
FOUR
The Euphorbias come into their own at the start of the year. Again, I've no idea on the variety but when I was googling to find out the type of plant they were, I remember finding a website for a guy who specialised in growing them. So many varieties!

Euphorbia
FIVE
The end of my garden has partial shade due to a large ash tree in my neighbour's garden. I worked on this bed earlier this year to replace a lavatera that had died. One of the plants I added were some mini cyclamen. I love the variegation on their leaves.

Cyclamen foliage
SIX
And finally to bring my end of year look around the garden to a close is this euonymus I planted in the same bed earlier this year, again with variegated foliage. The variety is Emerald Gaiety.

Euonymus, 'Emerald Gaiety'
I mentioned positivity being my resolution for 2018 earlier in this post, my other resolution is to remember the names of any plants I plant out in my garden!

Many thanks for @cavershamjj for hosting. Check out his blog for more Six on Saturday.



2 comments:

  1. It's interesting to look at a gardener's palette that is so different to mine. I've grown bored w/hellebore, euphorbia & pieris in my garden but through your eye, they're so beautiful. You've given me a nudge to go back & look at them afresh. As to the cyclamen, love it unreservedly.

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    Replies
    1. Interesting. Now I feel very out of date lol.
      I only dabble in gardening really and I think a lot of the plants that I inherited were 'dated' in a way, you could tell it was previously an old person's garden I think. Each to their own though, it's what makes the world go round....

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