General Chat

Karen, it is a new garden for me, quite small but has a nice small conifer in, and a flowering cherry, a fuschia and weigelia, and while we were in renovating last spring there were a few daffs, so there will be some colour, needs a lot of weeding though, and re-arranging.

I've never been to Florence BC, but I believe it is very lovely...my former boss used to go there (he was in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's family tree lol) .

I know, Rose, am very excited as first time for me! And I am going to be brave and go from Rome to Florence by train!!

But there is nothing like planting a few bulbs to brighten up your day. My ones are all peeping up already. XX BC

You're not alone, I hate taking down the decorations too.
Spring time is brightened up for me when the snowdrops and crocuses appear, then the daffs.
Evergreen shrubs help the garden not to look too forlorn and bare during the winter, especially if you choose different shades of greens. For example i have aucuba, variegated holly, red robin, rosemary and hebe all near each other, in what could be a dull corner, and it does help the garden through winter dullness. :-))

My big task this year (on my next visit home) is to lay slate chippings over my large flower bed in the front...fed up weeding it, fed up with cats pooing in it and fed up with it in general. A new look is needed.

K


P.S. just off to look up 'flax'

Sounds a nice idea BC, a trip to Florence :)

I did manage to bring a pot of violets with me from Wales Ann, and despite being covered in snow for weeks they do seem to be surviving, and you've just reminded me I have a bag of shooting bulbs in the hall! I must try and get some compost and at least pot them up .

I have always loved taking down cards, etc. and starting a brand new year off. I am so looking forward to spring this year and I would start believing in miracles if my precious bougainvilia (wrapped up in Daff's fleecy stuff) survives. Well, even if it doesn't I shall buy another one and hope for next year!

I think that planning my little break in Florence for next month has also given me a lift. Ciao!!

BC XXX

I love the first helebores and crocus Rose because then I know that winter is behind us and spring and summer in front. I hate taking down the decorations and lights too, ours are half down we still have the tree until tomorrow but still i am feeling that 'down' feeling of dull January and february to come.

down the Christmas lights from the tree, I feel they should stay up till spring arrives just to brighten the dull winter evenings ( soppy probably lol!).

So I have started to think about the garden to cheer myself up, and re-reading 'Down the garden path" Beverley Nichols' book about a garden he created. One think he mentioned was flax and it reminded me that I used to have some lovely flax growing in the paving where we used to live, a beautiful shade of blue. And I definitely have to have a lilac to feel at home here....

What are you planning to do with your garden this year? and what plants make your heart 'lift' a little? :))

Rose xx