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December
‘You are too early!’ I shouted at the small clump of snowdrops which decided to flower on December 1st. Looking through my garden journals over 22 years, it is the earliest they have flowered. I am hoping that the recent deep frosts have checked the others.
I never really look at the garden as a whole in the winter. I dislike ‘drab’ so I look for small but lovely gems in the garden—fungi at the base of the old apple tree stump, seed heads that have partially collapsed showing the wonderful structure in side.
Looking closer, I see the ruby red branches of the Cornus Alba ‘Aurea’. This shrub earns its keep in the winter as the shiny red stems brighten up the garden when most plants and shrubs look drab. The Cornus family have a variety with lime green branches so a mixed planting of these two brightens life up in the winter garden.
Many of the perennials will have had their flowers frosted but don’t cut them back. This dead top growth will help to protect the plant through more cold weather. Also the spiders like these stems; on frosty mornings the webs become jewel-like with the frost shimmering.
The recent very cold weather meant that I could only work in the conservatory, when tidying found some unplanted bulbs all mixed up so will plant them a soon as I can. Remembered to water some pots of hardy perennials which I didn’t have time to plant out so will have to look after them until spring. Winter is a time to wash pots, tidy up greenhouses and cold frames.
December is also the time of seed catalogues. For me there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting with a drink and a seed or plant catalogue choosing for next year, I might not be able to afford it all but it is fun planning.
One of the best seed catalogues is from Chilton Seeds
There are no pictures but as the descriptions are so good they are not necessary.
Norfields supply tree seeds and seedlings plus plants.
www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk
For hardy plants I have been very impressed with the wonderful colour plant catalogue from Claire Austin Hardy Plants. Mail order is also available from Clair Austin and the plants do arrive extremely well packaged.
For books, Christopher Lloyd’s ‘Colour for Adventurous Gardeners’ published by BBC is a delight, a must for gardeners who want to use colour themes in their planting.
If it is present buying time for you, vouchers from the above are available or a subscription to a glossy gardening magazine such as The English Garden or Garden Illustrated.
Alison
