Well that was a wild one. Prolonged below zero temperatures, the first named storm of the year, which reeked havoc in my home county, and shocking world events that both boil the blood and freeze the soul. Thank goodness we have each other. Jim at Garden Ruminations keeps us all on track and if you want to enjoy some Six on Saturday posts from around the world, pop over to his site to find succour. Time for sixing!
Correa backhousiana has hardy skipped a beat in this vile weather, some of the flowers are ice scorched but there are plenty of buds to replace them. All hail the correa!
This was a bit of a desperate shot. Lamium ‘Silver Beacon’ is there all the time, in the background, just doing its thing. I have been saving it for when I can’t find others. Which is today. Bit sad really. It is a lovely thing.
This mini-Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus managed to muster just one flower this year. A crimped tress, perhaps more beautiful in its solitude. Perhaps I’m over romanticing its lack of effort.
It dropped to -4.2C in my unheated greenhouse, which is a bit of a worry. Earlier I peeked under the fleeces and all seems OK. I have seen things pretend to be unbothered before. I will not get my hopes up. I would imagine all the dahlias I left in situ are doomed to mush. With risk, one must be prepared for fails.
The Geranium palmatum in the garden has flopped and unflopped all week. It must be getting a little weary.
This little unnamed cyclamen never lets me down. A constant in the chaos.
Special shout out to my esteemed client, sparring partner and friend, The Prof AKA JK, who is not too well at the moment. You don’t get rid of me that easily! Get well soon.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I’m hailing the Correa – it’s a beauty. Funnily enough I almost featured the foliage of a Lamium ‘Nancy’ but was lucky enough to find something else so that I can keep her for a future SoS. SoSing in January is tough. Hope your esteemed client, etc., is feeling better soon.
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How sad for the Dahlia’s to turn to mush. I never dig mine up, but we don’t get such harsh winter weather, so I’ve been lucky with that. The little cyclamen is lovely and looks so healthy. I didn’t even know they had specific names. Makes sense though as they come in such different colours and varieties. I’ll have to take note, next time I’m looking for one…. or two to plant.
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They are so big now, I don’t really have room to store them inside and perhaps a little bit of laziness came into it. You never know, stranger things happen!
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I understand, they can get that way after a few years.
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My lamium silver beacon – bought a few year ago and planted in a shady spot with late afternoon sun – has never done anything much. I was hoping it would spread quite a bit. Yours looks very healthy.
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This one is in almost full shade and very dry. To be honest, it looks rather tatty at the moment, a bit of a haircut and feed is in order.
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My seedlings are toughing it out in the gh unfleeced! Fingers crossed. You have reminded me to get a picture of the cyclamen for next week – that’s one a least. The lamium is a lovely thing indeed.
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It is such a good doer, in a tricky spot. I really should pay it more attention.
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Well that was a night I don’t want to repeat. Fortunately there was no damage to plants (other than the camellia in a very large container and moved to what I thought was a more sheltered spot still got blown over!) but part of my fence is down and my neighbour’s new greenhouse lost a lot of the glass panes. Practically every road around was blocked by trees and 26 hours without power wasn’t fun. We take electricity for granted and the devastation of not having my morning coffee was rescued by my neighbour boiling water on her large woodburner. I could almost join in with the SOSers this week, but I’ll wait until I have a few more flowers to share.
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Sounds horrendous! I’m glad you are safe though.
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Oh, I wish John K a speedy recovery; you can tell him that from me.
Regarding your Six this week, the corea flowers are very pretty indeed. And I’m sure that as the years go by, you’ll have more miscanthus flowers, which is the case in my garden now.
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I will tell him, Fred, he will be pleased. This miscanthus is much taller than it was last year, so slowly, slowly it is reaching its potential. Fingers crossed.
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The little cyclamen is so nice. I love the dark leaves with the light-coloured flower.
Fingers crossed your greenhouse plants will be ok!
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Thank you, I’ve been tending them today. Picking them over and watering where necessary. A couple of things look a bit suspect!
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Do send my best wishes to The Prof for improved health, for many reasons but specially as I know you will be willing this too. You have a few weeks off, so maybe he was missing you! We have escaped the brunt of the storm thankfully, but I was just not moved to post today. I am just recovering from a cold, and have been looking after the poor dear who has taken to his bed. I even had to make the eggy peggy breakfast today…and I over boiled the lovely dark brown Maran eggs. I promise to go in search of thing for next week’s SOS.
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I will, he will be pleased. Sorry you haven’t been well, hope your household is fully healthy very soon. Fingers crossed you are inspired next week x
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Correa is impressively resilient to frost. I was not aware of that. Others have shown their correa after frost also.
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So far so good! I’m hoping there is not much more freezing weather.
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Lovely photos. Everything is under a fairly deep layer of snow here in Mid Wales, but the temperatures are due to rise in the next couple of days, so we should be able to see some colour again soon.
Best wishes for 2026!
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You had it bad in mid Wales, I feel lucky the snow didn’t reach this far south. Hope the thaw comes soon for you. And a wonderful 2026 to you. 😊
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Oh, gosh, I hope your Dahlias will be OK. It always amazes me how any plant can survive freezing temps, and then perk up just fine in the same growing season without going dormant.That Correa backhousiana is so unique!
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I have plenty of dahlia seed, if they don’t make it through I’ll start again. Plants are amazing!
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I’m hailing the Correa! and I’m not sure I have ever seen one! The Lamium I am familiar with..it is lovely and holds a silvery promise for warmer days! I hope you are not sitting around drinking orange soda!!
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No, orange soda is a Christmas thing only (in our house). It is a peculiar beast. 😊
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