Twas the SoS before Christmas, when all through the garden,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a ………
Oh dear, I may have fallen at the first hurdle, what rhymes with garden? Pardon? Lardon? This isn’t going well. The plan was a good one, the execution sorely lacking. In any case there are plenty of creatures stirring, I’ve just been out to feed the birds and it is pretty wild and windy out there, which may in small part explain the burry pictures. You may visit the Six on Saturday Grotto and see what all the other Christmas Elves have been up to, ably corralled by SoS Santa himself. Shall we shake a leg? Nearly time to put the brussels on!

First we have Correa backhousiana which has been hiding its light under a bushel, quite literally, for the summer months. Not that it is complaining, this year it seems to have settled nicely into its home and has rewarded us with a plethora of its palest yellow blooms.

My SoS Sister, Noelle, very kindly send me some of her cyclamen seedlings. Most have beautiful silver leaves, but this elegant one stands out in the blingy crowd.

Hedychium ‘Tara Seedling’ has a story, it is long and embarrassing and involves the late, great Tony Schilling and my ignorance. Yesterday I searched for seed, thinking of TC and his quest, and to my surprise/excitement I found just a couple. Later today I will sow them and hope for the best.

Another cyclamen, trying its best, with the help of the gusty wind, to get out of shot. I like to think of it as a bit of Christmas art.

A plucky primula, one of last year’s bedding, is doing it’s best to light the gloom. A little nibbled, but it is good to share, especially this time of the year.

There was a last minute adjustment to my Six when the postman brought a surprise package to my door. These cards were made by Grandma Swotty using flowers from her garden, and possibly her daughters wonderful plot as well. They are absolutely beautiful and I will be loathe to send them out to anyone except the most special and deserving. Even then I will have to steel myself. Thank you Christine, I love them!
And that, is that. The Christmas SoS is complete. Next time we will be looking forward to the new year and all the potential and possibilities that come with it. Ever onwards! Until then …….
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
The correa caught my eye this morning and I must say that the flower is not very colourful, but it has a very pretty shape. I wish you a Happy Christmas, Gill, to you and all your family
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The correa is very understated, not my usual colour, still I am very fond of it, especially this time of year. Joyeux Noel to you and yours!
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I’m looking at ‘Tara’ and wondering what got dropped to make way for the flowery cards. Have a happy Christmas. You can Google ‘words to rhyme with garden’ but it doesn’t help.
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😀 A magnolia flower bud. Hope it stays on for next time! Hope you are having a good Christmas and got just what you wanted.
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Wonderful cards. Have a great Christmas!
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Hope you are having fun too!
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Might you ever indulge in Elizabeth Arden stuff? I’m certain you could weave it into your verse.
As an author, t think I understand grabbing readers’ attention with a good first paragraph. You consistently succeed.
Apart from all that, the Cyclamen is very beautiful.
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Thank you and hope you are having a wonderful Christmas with plenty of the black stuff!
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These days plenty is does some slight damage. Just the odd one… One or three. 😜
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What lovely surprise for you. The cards are beautiful and I can appreciate why you really want to keep them. Perhaps you could pick your favourites and have them framed with a deeper mount to display as a cluster on a wall?
Happy Christmas to you too!
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Sounds like a good plan. Hope you arrived at your Christmas destination safe and sound.
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Christmas Art indeed! Love it!
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🙂
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Thoughtful gift for a gardener! Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
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It was very kind. Thank you and I wish just the same for you. 🙂
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Merry Christmas Gill… I was pondering the rhyme… came up with a dodgy half-rhyme for you…not even a hen! (Depending on how the word garden it pronounced!)
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Hen is good! Thank you and Happy Christmas to you too x
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Merry Christmas to you too Gill! Onward to a better 2024!
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Thank you Gabby, and the very same to you x
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Have a lovely time Gill. May all our gardens bloom brightly in 2024.
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And may it rain only at night and have warm sun through the day. Have fun x We will be down in a couple of weeks, I will wave as I pass.
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Those cards are fantastic. On the Rhymezone website you could have ‘James Harden’ (whoever he might be), or under the section ‘almost rhymes with garden’ the only thing that would make sort of make sense is pine marten! Have a Happy Christmas.
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Now pine marten might work, at a push! Thanks and the very same to you.
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Lovely cards and lovely blooms too, in fact a lovely six! Happy Christmas to you all.
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Thank you Pauline, hope you had a great day x
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Ohh, pretty cards. My neighbor made one for me with sun printed dill flowers. The cyclamen look fantastic. I hope your brussels are fab. Happy Christmas!
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The brussels were wonderful. Hope you had a fabulous Christmas x
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Oh, ginger is already done? I have been waiting for that, since I must send some rhizomes through the mail. I should go check. If yours is ‘that’ done, mine should at least be starting to finish. Gee, that sounds funny, starting to finish.
Merry Christmas!
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Ha! And a Merry Christmas to you both xx
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Lovely to read as ever, Happy Christmas to you and yours and all good wishes for the New Year 🎄💕
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And the same to you TT, thank you for all your support and kindness xxx
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Granda Swotty is a true artist, and those cards are worth framing and putting up somewhere they can be admired such as a stair well. I am sure you had a Merry Christmas and looking forward to more festivities in the coming days.
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I agree, although I might just send one to you to do the same. It was lovely thank you and the same to you Sis xxx
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Ring out white bell. Do your best.
Lie down leaf, enjoy your rest.
Thorny crown don’t look down
On pale flower being blown
Out of the frame
Pink, butter-yellow & lemon
Also play the game.
Thank-you Gill for your lovely photos & witty descriptions. Sue
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Fabulous, thank you soon. Love to you both xx
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