Six on Saturday – Christmas Shopping

This week I have been doing some Christmas shopping. You may need this statement to be clarified. If you define Christmas Shopping as “the purchasing of assorted goods undertaken during the festive period in order to acquire gifts for your loved ones or to further the joy of the glorious occasion with delicate sweetmeats and general fripperies” you have caught the wrong train. What I am referring to is “any shopping in December, most especially when visiting a Garden Centre which has half price bulbs and other such bargains that you most definitely deserve and would be a sin to leave behind.” I didn’t go crazy, I have more than enough to cosset over the winter months, but even a little temptation is still temptation. Shall we proceed?

A packet of twelve assorted alliums for £1. I rest my case. The ground is far too wet to even attempt planting this miscellany into the garden. They will do very nicely in their pots until the time for them find their rightful place.

This fabulous Plectranthus ciliatus ‘Nico’ was a gift from Welsh John. Now flowering its little heart out in the greenhouse, the blooms are a bonus as the foliage is more than enough on its own.

These primulas are destined for Peggy’s house. As a lovely little combo, I also bought some Blue Heaven tulips which I will plant in the pot before I put these atop. I couldn’t make my mind up which colour to buy so I rang her from the shop with her options. A great choice.

This very happy and healthy Euphorbia x martini ‘Ascot Rainbow’ was marked down to £5. Surely, if I had left it behind, you would have doubted my sanity. I do have a little “form” with this wonderful plant. I hope for better luck this time. As it does.

I have been letting the seed pods of the Iochroma australe ripen on the plant. There is a strong chance that they are just rotting on the plant. This little flier was enjoying a drink from the raindrop suspended on the browning globe. I could pretend that this was an intentional shot, but I doubt you would believe me.

I do not wish to tempt fate but the Salvia curviflora appears to be unstoppable this year. It is now quite woody, which I am sure helps its hardiness. Hopefully the wrath of chance will not now unleash its displeasure on me and my trustlings.

After that rather over egged conclusion, I will retire to the chesterfield with a large glass of port. Happy Christmas all ye Sixers and a great big festive thanks to our very own spiritual leader Jim at Garden Ruminations.