It is not getting any easier, this Six on Saturday lark. I was rather reluctant to venture out to take photos; a cold, soggy and dark garden is not the most enticing destination. However, I told myself that if there was a time when I should make the effort it was now and, not quite convinced by this argument, I took the plunge. I will not pretend I lingered long, but enough to take the shots I needed and reconnect just a little with the story. After all winter is a big part of the narrative, we should not ignore it. More SoSers can be found with our meme-master, Jim, take a look and find out more of the tale.
First a great favourite of mine, Phlomis ‘Rougemont’, which has a story attached and gives my heart a little tug whenever I see it. A gift from Phlomis Phlo and TT, this is the first winter it has stayed out of the greenhouse. It seems to be faring well.
Winter is when you realise just how scant the bare bones of the garden are and wonder if you should do something to improve this. This Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Moa’s Toes’ has thrived here and I adore it. I have got my eye on another pseudopanax at the moment. Resistance is futile.
Now is the time when we must bask in the potential of buds. Last year we had two heavily pitted apples that only their parents could love and we did. Lots of fruiting spurs could suggest a better harvest this year. However, I must not get my hopes up, there is many a slip twixt fruiting spur and fruit.
Oops, should have brought these house leeks into shelter. They look ok, don’t they?
Another bud full of hope is that of Rhododendron ‘Graziella’. It will be a few months until it flowers, but the anticipation will rise. Instant gratification is unusual in our horticultural world, part of the joy is the waiting, the looking forward, the expectation. For my part I need to focus on the moment more. Years ago I read a line in a poem “Only the wanting is perfect”, it struck a chord with me. I thought it was by Brian Patten and, although I have tried, can’t find the source. One day, hopefully.
The garden is in near monochrome at the moment. I found an exception in the shadows, a leaf from Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’, which for some reason has produced this technicolour leaf.
There now, that wasn’t too difficult after all. Hope you are all safe and well.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I love the Pseudopanax ( and all the araliaceae family ) ! Does this give you a tall plant? rather reasonable? And how do you do in winter : covering/ fleecing if too cold?
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It was growing straight up like an arrow, so I have pinched out the growing tips. It is now about 6ft tall and quite bushy at the top third. It doesn’t seem to want to shoot from further down the stem at all. No winter protection at all.
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good to know, thank you !
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I always fail to bring the house leeks in. I think I regard them as hardy. So far I’ve got away with it! Lovely to see the new buds forming.
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That is good news!
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You did well, I wasn’t going to find anything more that I did for last week and the -7 temp this morning added to my decision.
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Oh my, that is very chilly! Keep warm and there is always next week. 🙂
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Sue built up a fair range of Pseudopanax in nursery days (I can’t believe I’ve been retired over a decade, Sue even longer) but we’ve never had one in the garden. Therein lies the problem, it wouldn’t stay at one for long.
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That is a houseleek? I suppose it is. I just looked it up. I know it only as a Sempervivum. I featured two houseleeks, which are species of Aeonium. At least I believe that they are. One is unidentified. Does ‘Chanticleer’ pear bloom nicely there? It used to be popular here only because of its reliably autumn color, even with minimal chill. I was surprised to see how nicely it blooms in the cooler climates of the Pacific Northwest.
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The house leeks look in very good health indeed – nice stripy stone too.
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You get a gold star on the SoS spreadsheet for acknowledging the stripey stone.
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The Phlomis is a tough cookie while looking so soft. I picked up a stripey rock like that near the CA coast – where did you get yours?
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Good question, I’ve no idea! I often find a stone in my pocket. 😊
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twixt…..that is going straight into my word memory bank for when I get stuck playing bananagram!! Twixt! Such an excellent and very underused word😂🤣❤️❤️❤️
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Perhaps you should try and use it today.
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The house leeks look great, fingers crossed they survive.
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Now I’m wondering if I should bring them in or just leave them where they are ……
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I’m definitely no expert but I think that would probably depend on how far north you live, although I’d say if they’ve survived so far I’d leave well alone. Sorry, that’s not particularly helpful is it really?!
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Well the sun is out at the moment and the weather due to be warmer and dry so I will leave them where they are for the moment. Always helpful to share!
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Out on the bowsprit hangout
Ahead the sea of your future
Behind the wake of your past
Beside you the cut and thrust of today’s waves
It’s all there on the bowsprit hangout
Hangout and contemplate
Have a good cogitate
Try a yogic Hmmmmmmmmmmm
It’s all there on the bowsprit hangout
Only the wanting is perfect, make today exciting
Life is forever changes, defy boredom
Let your unconscious play
Out on the bowsprit hangout
Adam Purser
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Well done! Thank you Luna x
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I had one attempt at growing house leeks. I potted them in a pretty bowl and put them in a sunny spot. Winter came and winter went, and the house leeks went into the compost bin. I haven’t grown them since, but I’m much farther north than you and it’s probably wetter here too. I hope yours make it through. You did well to take the plunge, going out with the camera – you’ve created an interesting post – meanwhile, I’m still tucked up in the cosy warmth of the house, browsing seed catalogues and watching the weather forecast. Enjoy the week ahead! 😊
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