I had a peculiarly dreamful sleep last night. As usual, the sweet dreams passed me by and horror took centre stage. After being dragged by my ankles to certain doom by evil spirits, I dreamt that Michel Roux Jnr (Michelin Starred chef and secret crush) told me, in no uncertain terms, that I had no writing talent at all and I should just give up and not bother anymore with my embarrassing efforts. I’m not sure which part was worse. Strangely, it has inspired me to make an effort to Six on Saturday today. We are all busy, or perhaps not so much, but it is all about finding the time and making the effort; simple, no excuses, you either do it or not. And I have this week, so here we are. If you want to meet and greet other SoSers, which I would highly recommend, pop over to Jim’s site and enjoy. Off we go …..
First, the best performing rose of the year, Absolutely Fabulous. I’m not sure this bud will come to fruition, but the “in the moment” moment will suffice.
Against all odds, the summer bedding gazania are still stumbling on in a pot close to the house. It ain’t natural, it won’t last, but I’m not complaining.
Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is a champ. Not rare, not fussy, and until very recently hidden beneath a wave of dahlia vigour.
Last week a tree surgeon topped and trimmed the Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’. They left behind a pile of chippings, some from us, some from others. Later these little nuggets will be mulching the borders. OH says the tree looks like it has a GI flat-top. I cannot disagree, but at least we won’t fear it crashing into the house on windy days.
The annual Rudbeckia ‘Irish Eyes’ is one of my favourite tenders. Although I am itching to tidy, we all know that in the interest of our garden wildlife we should hold fire until early spring. Still, the itching persists.
Finally, Phlomis ‘Rougement’ a special gift from my friends Tiny Tim and Phlomis Phlo. Hopefully we will be visiting them in January in their new home. I can’t wait!
All done, another Six completed. And Michel, I forgive you for your harsh words, it is about taking part not literary excellence. Pop over any time, the kettle’s on.
Off The Edge Gardening 
That is not so strange. It is exactly what I would expect in response to someone telling you that you should not do something. Anyway, does ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ have anything to do with that horridly funny old sitcom of the same name?
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It probably does, I hope it does!
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Naturally when Naturally Fabulous and Irish Eyes come together in an article, Google algorithm will bump you up to viral potential.
You made the effort and I bet you’re chuffed.
Sweet dreams, a chara.
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And the same to you!
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Don’t listen to the dream version of Michel Roux Jnr – you have a wonderfully engaging writing style that always makes me chuckle. That gazania is a welcome splash of colour on a grey day.
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I suddenly realised that this might read like fishing for compliments. Which it wasn’t, but thank you anyway.
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I wonder what Monsieur Roux dreamed of last night, maybe that he wasn’t such a good chef and would end up mulched on a compost heap in his beautiful garden? Keep on writing, but first pop that Gazania into your glass house, then next spring divide it, and you will have loads of plants for the garden.
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Most unusually, I did just as I was told and put the gazania in the greenhouse. Thanks for giving me a nudge, Sis x
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A single rose bud at this time of the year is to be treasured, whether it opens or not. Your gazania is amazing for having the ability to flower at this time of year – it’s gorgeous and I agree with Noelle about getting it under cover.
Your secret crush clearly doesn’t understand what he’s talking about – you should happily disregard him, dream or not. 😁
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Gazania now safely in the greenhouse 😀
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Incredible to see this gazania flowering in the middle of December ! (sometimes we have weird dreams… if I told you about mine!)
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Ha! Perhaps you should keep them to yourself. 😀
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Its amazing what is still flowering in all our gardens, well worth getting out there to have a look! How wonderful to have a load of chippings to use as a mulch, lucky you!
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Only a gardener would get excited about chippings! 😀
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I’m glad you responded to your dreamt critic by coming out fighting, I’d have expected nothing less. There’s a lot to be said for not rare, not fussy plants. Trouble is, there’s as much or more to be said about rare, fussy plants too.
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That of course is our downfall!
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I love that Gazania, what a great flower to brighten our day. Ha ha, re the dream, I once dreamt about being a contestant on one of those cooking programmes and my signature dish was…. toasted crumpets with butter! (After all it is an art to toast them to perfection!)
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I love crumpet. I like mine with marmite, which may or may not be controversial. 🙂
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Gosh, that phlomis foliage looks so much like sage, same sort of texture. What colour are the flowers? I rather like the pink version. And I love your decaying rudbeckia photo. Mine have disappeared into the usual wet Cornish sogginess.
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It hasn’t flowered for me yet, but I think they are yellow. I like the pink too. Our garden is very wet too, mushville.
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Well, you are one of my favorite bloggers, so pfflt to the chef. You have found some wonders in the garden this December day. Senescence should be appreciated.
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Thank you. And yes, I agree, there is beauty to be found everywhere.
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Definitely keep writing! Your posts have made my day on several occasions. -lisa
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Thank you Lisa, and you comment has made my day!
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You always write well, you have a band of followers that enjoy every word so no more bad dreams about that!
A good selection of plants for this wet time of year, this garden sogginess seems to be everywhere 💧
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Thanks TT x It is saturated out there!
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