The garden in November
The last flower of the Crocosmia shining like
a little lantern hanging over the Marigolds
Nasturtiums glowing hot in the odd moment of
sunshine (still hanging on as we have not had a frost yet)
An early flowering Hellebore
that I grew from seed a couple of years ago
I found this last Hydrangea flower in my friend Janets' garden
and the Primulas have been flowering on and off all year
will be reverting back to pasture for grazing cows.
Now the garden is almost laid bare in readiness for winter it is easier
to see what needs to be remedied for next year.
Every year my aim to to make the garden more as Nature intended
and less 'man made'.
To this end I must try to combine plants in an informal and beneficial way
keeping it as loose as possible, inviting wildlife in to a mixture of
habitats, with light and shady areas, and try to create a natural balance.
A lot of this thinking goes against the grain for a gardener,
trying only to interfere with the natural process when necessary,
rather than imposing your will on the garden.
A lot more research and reading needs to be done over the winter,
a task which will keep me occupied during the long dark days.
Still lots going on Elaine. And lots of colour. (Can't believe you haven't had a frost yet. I feel victimised)! I like the idea of a garden becoming less formal. Not an option I have for the Priory but certainly something I'd like to follow through with in my own garden.
ReplyDeleteDave
I have often wondered what an overview of your garden would look like. You tease with little tidbits of colour and foliage, but seeing a bigger picture was great. Nasturtiums and hellebores - at the same time :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the pretty colors of your November garden. Your friend's blue hydrangea is gorgeous. I've been trying to get mine to turn blue but I just haven't been successful at getting the right acidity in the soil.
ReplyDeletelovely blog i have a bay cutting if you would like it
ReplyDeleteIt's still all looking great thanks, I guess, to it being sheltered and frost free. It really is surprising at what has been seen recently as shown here. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteLooking lovely still. Like David I think the idea of the garden gradually becoming less formal is a lovely one, though just as hard, if not harder, to achieve than a more traditional and formal look. Enjoy your research!
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, I am glad that you included an overall shot. It is always inspiring to see everyone's garden as a whole. I like the idea of striving to make to garden, less man-made. Like you, I will spend the grey winter days dreaming up projects for next year.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of your garden. Really love all the trees you have and the open view onto countryside. It is a real benefit to have such a view, it really does make your own garden feel much bigger.
ReplyDeleteI like your goal of a natural looking garden Elaine. And winter is certainly the planning time. I am intrigued by the image of the unused school playing field reverting back to pasture. Full circle, kind of haunting.
ReplyDeleteWow, you still a have a lot going on in your garden, lucky girl :) Gardening is a never ending process
ReplyDeleteWe too have an early hellebore flower - it's been on flower for over a month now but our mahonia has no flowers yet - it tends to be an early spring flower in our garden - that is if the birds don't eat the buds.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the "big picture" of your garden. Lovely Hellebore...it's an early one.
ReplyDelete