Happy Six on Saturday to you all! It has been a week of weather; from the unimaginable cold in the North of America to the searing heat in parts of Australia. We had some of the white stuff in the UK too, which has been followed by the inevitable chaos on the roads and the panic buying of Mother’s Pride and Chardonnay. In Ilfracombe we had a pathetic smattering, but you didn’t have to venture far to see the real McCoy. But I didn’t bother venturing anywhere. I decided to just imagine it instead. This morning I asked OH if it was too late to indulge in a little panic buying. We bought a multi-bag of snacktastic crisps and a pack of blood oranges just in case. If you are tempted to join the not-so-secret society of SoSers or would like to be shown how it is supposed to work by more sensible folk, pop over to King Prop’s blog and all will be revealed. Let’s get on with it, too cold to hang about.
First we have a snowdrop. A distinct feeling of déjà vu? This is in fact my other snowdrop Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’, also bought at Helen’s Little Ash Garden open day. Don’t worry, this is the extent of my snowdrop collection. I’ve got a long way to go before I can be classed as a true galanthophile.
Although we had but a mere smidgen of snow, it has been both very cold and exceptionally windy. So windy that in the early hours of Sunday morning, after lying awake listening to the roaring and scaffolding boards dancing, we got up and listened to the World Service until light. We then called the builder who came to tie down the boards again. He was grumpy to have been roused from his weekend slumber, I hadn’t slept a wink all night, he didn’t stand a chance. This Lycianthes rantonnetii is paying for its vigour, the leaves are withered and lifeless after the desiccating gales. I am hoping that beneath all is well.
On to my oriental poppy. It is in the middle of the superhighway that the builders macheted through the Bed of Anarchy. By some quirk of fate it escaped a size ten steel toecap. They were back yesterday, the Velux in the office roof has sprung a rather impressive leak. Before they started I pointed it out to them “That is a poppy” I said “It is called Simon and I would like you to do your utmost to avoid standing on it.” They did their best. Quite sensibly they were concerned about the potential for retribution by someone who names their herbaceous perennials.
It appears that one of my hedychiums has set seed. This is good. I have grown a ginger lily from seed before and it only took a few years to get to flowering size. These will stay on the plant for as long as possible. Perhaps Mr P would like some? What do you mean “creep”?
Lastly we have an example of the importance of being in the right place at the right time. The crimson tinged foliage of this rose, which could be ‘Peace’, has not suffered in the slightest in the recent inclement weather. It is as fresh and pristine as the moment it unfurled from the bud. I hope I haven’t summoned the demons of fate tempting.
And second lastly is a gazania that was in hiding, possibly due to the fact it doesn’t want to be spotted by the evil north wind. Did I get away with it? Maybe not.
Another SoS completed, always a triumph. Until next time!
Off The Edge Gardening 
What! We’ve been done…… I only make that five?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha! I will not elaborate on galanthophilia and the need for a vaccine!
LikeLike
Perhaps it is best if we not make issue of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well spotted 😀 Just a moment ……….
LikeLike
That is so funny, my excuse is the rugby is on! I took 6 photos, I will go in search of the last one. 🙂
LikeLike
OK, all done. I will just compose myself.
I am sure I have no idea what you are talking about, there are definitely six there. :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Simon! Although poppies are very resilient I’m sure. There was panic on Wiltshire with the snow….I couldn’t find my Chardonnay anywhere!?! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must have been very scary for you!
LikeLike
I’ve been known to post 5 of 6 and also have named my perennials. Good strategies both! 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
You make me feel much better, thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you’d included a picture of the faces of the builders when you introduced them to Simon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! That would have been funny. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
So you experienced that bitterly cold wind too, I am so glad I took the opportunity to get out into the garden on Wednesday. Well wrapped up it was almost blissfully warm in the sunshine. I lost my Gazania last March in the snow. If I buy another one it will be indoors in winter. Who was it who told me that it never snows in Cornwall?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you get it bad? Poor old Cornwall, really got hit hard and just not used to it. I do remember it once as a child, I think. It was a gorgeous day here on Wednesday (not to far away), if only every winter’s day could be the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A brief snow shower that quickly turned to sleet and then rain, but the cold wind has lingered.
LikeLike
That wind!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Peace rose is looking better in your inclement weather than mine is in our inclement weather. 😊
LikeLike
Oh dear, I have been worrying about you. 😦
LikeLike
S. Arnott is a great snowdrop, good choice.. I have bought a few more this year at great expense but I try to keep my snowdrop acquisitions secret. I think most normal people are deeply suspicious of galanthophiles.
I hope Simon survives the buliders’ boots.
LikeLike
Thank you, he seems a sturdy chap for a snowdrop. And thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I read yesterday, I reply today because of the rubgy late afternoon (a great game anyway, much better than France-Wales).
You took beautiful pictures … your pictures of rose leaves and Gazania are lovely.
Thank you for sharing the seeds of hedychium. When mine will bloom (this year?), I hope to have some.
LikeLike
It was a great game, for the English anyway. Sorry about your game, it all fell apart in the end. 😦 Thanks and good luck with your hedychium.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It all depends on who you support … obviously the French team had a good start but crashed (as often). May the best win! as the saying goes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone hates the English 😦 Doesn’t help when that idiot Guscott makes unneccessary derogatory comments about Italy. Enforces the “English are all pompous” idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“We don’t count Italy”… what a disobliging comment
Italy team has been progressing for many years, like Argentine, and they are playing the same role with other northern teams.
So, this blog post is not meant to comment on rugby 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are quite right, I was sooooooo angry when he said that! OK, I will stop now, think of the flowers and calm my soul. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The way you write SoSers…
Makes it sound like there’s a bit of imbibing going on ! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish! On the wagon until Valentine’s Day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your S Arnett snowdrop – I planted one in our old garden and you have reminded me that I miss it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like it when I’m reminded of old loves! Perhaps you will get another one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The gazania looks like me when it’s cold outside 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I know what you mean.
LikeLike
I too would have liked to have seen a photo of the builders when thy met Simon! Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The builders have been back today, I haven’t plucked up the courage to check how he is getting on …..
LikeLike