BOGOF: An Extra and Seasonal Greetings

I worked yesterday morning. It was just for an hour or so, but it still constitutes a renege on my sworn, cross my heart, pinky promise, signed in blood, sealed with salty tears, sabatical.

In my defense it was an extra, not one of my real clients, just a daliance. Perhaps you will be kind in this season of good will.

In July, as I shared in my post Fist Pump, I planted up my neighbour’s raised beds, shall we call him Percy Porsche. Since then I have only visited once for a little primp. I could see over the fence that the cosmos were doing well, the grasses were growing and the lilies bloomed beautifully. The plants were good quality and I had faith all would be well. PP seemed to think that he could cope and promised to contact me if necessary. Although at times my curiosity was excruciating, I decided to leave him to it with minimal input from me.

That is until the stickified cosmos were poking their heads above the fence and their ragged limbs were taunting me. I messaged Percy, offering my horticultural services, and after several weeks of incessant rain I managed to find a window of opportunity, before debauchery got into full swing. It took just an hour to assess, weed, tidy and make plans for the spring. I am very happy with how things have fared, a couple of specimens are “lost in action”, but on the whole it has been a great success. Although I dreaded getting out there again, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I’m already looking forward to starting back again in February.

We should consider more pressing things. It is time again for indulgence and indigestion, or is that just our house? I am eyeing up the Twiglets and I am not sure how much longer my resolve will last. We are ready, we are eager, let the celebrations begin. But first it is time for the latest tree decoration reveal. This ceramic bauble was made by my good friend Sarah. I am blessed with clever and talented friends who incessantly impress me with their many and varied skills. Much, much, more than that, and with far greater importance, they are compassionate and loyal and my greatest allies. I consider myself extremely fortunate and I should say it more often. Happy Christmas to all of you, thanks for being who you are, thanks for being in my life, please keep on doing what you are doing, you have got this friendship lark down to a tee.

Whoever you are, friend, aquaintance or just someone passing through, I wish you all peace and joy and love. See you on the other side.

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.

Sorted

At this time of year it is impossible to get anything dry. The washing, naturally. Rain soaked coats, of course. But more importantly, my seed for storage. The greenhouse, although wonderful in almost every way, is not the ideal place for dessication. The atmosphere is sodden, with odd drips and various leaks that I generally forgive and forget. However, this is not the ideal environment to prepare seed before putting them away til the spring. Which is why I bring them into the house to process and bag up.

Last year I had a mini-catastrophe. Laden with a tottering tower of various open containers, I stepped from outside up into the back room, tripped and the whole lot fell to the ground. Ripe words may have been uttered. The mess was swept up and a feeble attempt at identifying some was swifted followed by a temper tantrum. All was thrown in the compost bin in a diva-ish fashion.

Never one to knowingly learn by my mistakes, there was a certain jeopardy in today’s task, but I had put off my seed transportation for too long. I did however limit my load to just three punnets at a time, perhaps I am evolving into a sensible person. Time will tell.

This pot was marked as Dark, Dark Dahlia. As I sat, contemplative, extracting the nuggets of potential from their papery cocoons, I thought “Thank goodness I don’t do this for a living, I’m bored now.”. One down, a whole lot more to go!

Six on Saturday – Underwhelming

I am a little worried this week. It seems that I have inadvertently magnified the glory of our violas. They are quite nice, but it would be hyperbole to suggest anything more. Of course, you can judge for yourselves, but please do not expect too much. The weight of expectation on the poor little darlings’ shoulders is immense. Be kind, that is all I can ask. Someone who would never be cruel or unduly critical is our Six on Saturday leader, Jim at Garden Ruminations. Fingers crossed. Shall we proceed?

First we have Correa schlechtendalii, a stalwart in the winter garden. Years ago, when I was at college, a fellow student announced that she would be bringing back her summer wardrobe the following term. As we glanced at each other, rather puzzled, my good friend Gumby (indeed) said “my summer wardrobe is the same as my winter wardrobe without the cardigans.”. I am sure you get my point. Cardigans on.

Geum seedlings are doing well, potted up and loved, but at the mercy of the elements. They don’t seem bothered. Unfortunately, embarrassingly, I can’t remember which geum I picked the seed from. When they flower it will be a lovely surprise.

Acacia dealbata ‘Gaulois Astier’ has thrived since I planted it in the garden. It is full of flower bud so hopefully will give us a fine display in the near future. I am in total denial at the sense of planting such a tree in a mini-plot such as ours. Life is short, too short for sensible.

The garlic is doing well. I went against my own advice. Although I planted named and carefully bred varieties for others, for us, in last minute desperation, I split a particularly lovely bulb that I had bought from the supermarket. Don’t tell.

Here they are, a little bowl of violas. Some munched, some weather beaten, few photogenic. They have done their best. They have a lot to live up to.

The fabulous Torrington Tina gave us this sign. In summer it is hidden behind vegetation, to be honest it is redundant then. Now is the time that we need to be reminded. TT is a star, she knows what’s what.

All done, another six, another Sunday. Nearly there.

Six on Saturday – On Repeat

Earlier this week, I was swanning around the garden looking for SoS inspiration and my OH asked why I wasn’t taking any pictures of the violas. “I’m saving them for when I’m desperate, later in the month”, I explained. “Aren’t you allowed to repeat your subjects?”, he queried. “No fear!” I exaggerated, gasping for maximum drama, “I will be struck off the register, sent to Coventry and our leader Jim at Garden Ruminations will give me one of his virtual withering looks.” “Humpf”, said OH. He was undoubtedly impressed by my self control and discipline and my ability to abide by the rules of a strict and uncompromising sect.

Of course, that is a load of nonsense, we are all pretty flexible and inclusive in these parts. Which is just as well as I have repeated, on more than one occasion, and most especially today, from earlier in this year and decade. Just to make a point. Just to reinforce how tolerant to any form of rule bending we are in the SoS clan.

The lady do protest too much. Time to move on.

The Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’ is always late to lose its leaves and this year is no exception, in spite of the strong winds we’ve suffered. Possibly needs a trim, but not before it is fully unclad. It is on my list.

There are many soggy plants in the garden, including this nasturtium, which had been climbing up the Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’. I have no doubt it will have spread its seed and will return to colonise again next year. No sadness here.

Never, ever mess with a marigold, they are as tough as they come. You will always lose an arm wrestle with a marigold, you have been warned.

After one of the dahlia seedlings died back in its pot, an interloper was revealed. If I am not mistaken this is Verbascum olympicum. How, why and where it came from is a complete mystery. This giant cannot stay here. I will have to gently extract it and rehome it in a more appropriate place. Like next door.

Sometimes, after a frosty spell, I am unsure whether something is just frozen in time or has indeed shrugged off the intense cold. This Digitalis isabelliana ‘Bella’ is one such case. Doesn’t seem bothered at all. But perhaps it is a death mask.

Another late leaf dropper is this Ribes sanguineum ‘King Edward VII’, although I don’t recall it ever being this tardy before. I also don’t remember it giving such a beautiful autumnal/winter show before. Let us reconvene this time next year and compare notes.

There we have it, another six, another Saturday. Stay safe and happy.

Extended Sabbatical

This year The Boss, AKA me, has decided to give the whole company, AKA me, not only January but December off. She decided that as it is only three and a bit weeks to Christmas, which are are bound to be soggy and miserable, which makes her soggy and miserable, it wasn’t worth the heartache. Dreamily frosty days, as we had last week, are a rare and rather cruel reminder of what we don’t have here in South Wales. Everything is mushy, everything squelches and my heart isn’t in it. I trudge about like a petulant youth, slipping and sliding and counting the minutes to home time. I am best off out of it and my clients are best off without me. That is until February, when I will bounce back full of vim and vigour, and at least half a box of Cadbury’s Celebrations.

Today, the first day of my extended sabbatical, there is a localised orange flood warning in place, the rain is torrential and the gusting wind is reaching every nook and corner. I feel fully vindicated.

Six on Saturday – The Real Thing

OH is doing the shopping, I am expecting a delivery and outside it is blowing a hoolie by the name of Storm Claudia. Not ideal conditions for taking photos for this week’s Six on Saturday. Then inspiration hit me with a wet kipper. I will dash outside, remain within earshot of the front door and take 7 photographs (including sneaky header shot) which will be my contribution; whatever they look like, whatever they capture, whatever they miss. Which is exactly what I did. Consider it an art installation, or the work of someone who couldn’t be bothered to put her coat on. Either is acceptable. Someone who is unlikely to be so slipshod is our SoS leader, Jim at Garden Ruminations, pop over to his site and you can catch up on clan members from across the known universe. Shall we get on?

Fuchsia fulgens is new to this garden, although I have grown it before and have fond memories of it. Tomorrow it will be moving into the greenhouse, as we have a cold week forecast. This is a rather good shot of the bamboo canes, I’m not even sure why they are there. OH is a demon bamboo caner, I am a demon bamboo cane remover. Which is why we make such a good partnership.

This is one of just two rosehips on Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. Next year I will stop dead heading a little bit earlier and maybe we will be blessed with a few more.

The nerine will also be going under cover, just to protect it from too much wet this winter. There won’t be room in the greenhouse, but it will be fine in secondary accommodation, tucked in some old wooden shelves that haven’t fallen apart yet.

I was going to save Correa backhousiana for a later occasion, but to be honest this week’s experimental method meant I didn’t have a lot of choice of candidate. Nice though! I might sneak it in again. Needs must in the depths of winter.

This Plectranthus zuluensis was given to me by Welsh John. It has just got around to flowering. I don’t mind its tardiness. Not sure it is going to enjoy the cold that is forecast though.

Salvia microphylla ‘Trelissick’ was grown from HPS seed a couple of years ago. It has flowered well this year but I never seem to be able to get a good shot of it, so it hasn’t featured before. Seems appropriate, therefore, to feature it here, in the land of imperfection.

All done, another six, another Saturday. Hope you are all weathering your storms.

The Random Book Giveaway – Meat Free Mowgli by Nisha Katona and Mrs Bun

Welcome to another installment of The Random Book Giveaway, which could have been named The Occasional Book Giveaway or even The Seldom Book Giveaway. These things cannot be forced, if the muse leaves you, you must wait patiently for her to return, albeit with fingers tapping as you linger. Return she did, to bless my literate dating agency with perfect matchmaking.

First we should consider the book, Meat Free Mowgli by Nisha Katona. I feel strongly there should be a cookery book self help group. On line recipes are convenient, this is true, but do not to compare to real life, in your eager hands, books of potential and joy. They are sensual riots of fancy; some fantasies that we know we will never achieve, others perhaps worth the risk, a few will be added to the repertoire. Food smeared pages are indicative of favourite recipes and never fail to make me proud. And I have many books. This is after a pre-moving cull. And still more find me. There is little hope. Nisha’s book was a gift from OH and it has proved to be a wonderful, already much stained, addition to my collection. I have attempted many of these recipes, bought new and exciting spices to experiment with and each and every one has proved to be delicious. There are clear and concise instructions resulting in honest dishes that actually work! I can recommend Cabbage Curry (I know, it sounds a bit dodgy, but trust me its good), Broad Bean Puris and Angry Cauliflower.

As for the recipient, some might know her, along with her most patient husband, as Mr and Mrs Bun. Since their defection to the Frozen North and mine to Welsh Wales we have kept in touch on a frankly-I-could-try-a-little-harder irregular basis, newfangled video calls allowing us hour long, barely coming up for air, catch ups. These chats are very important to me, it is surprising that I don’t instigate them more often. Afterwards I feel heard, understood, reconnected, the power of friendship cannot be underestimated. It is a spiritual thing. She is a good woman. It is good to mix with good folk, they make you a better person.

When I worked for Her Bunship we often worked side by side, chatting as we went, touching on all manner of things, sometimes the sublime, often the ridiculous. It was always easy, always fun. One of our favourite topics, apart from the obvious “all things horticultural”, was cooking and, inevitably, eating. We are both keen on meat free fare and often swapped recipes and recommendations. Chatting with her last weekend, an idea pinged into my head, she would be the perfect fit for this book.

The day after the book arrived at her northern home, a picture of a very delicious aubergine dhansak arrived in my in-box. I knew they would be very happy together.

Six on Saturday

For me, the transition from “how can I sneak an extra one in” to scrabbling about in the drizzle looking for a candidate that will just about pass the SoS muster, was a hair’s breath this year. One day all was balmy summer excess, each note, if not crystal clear then a least contributing to a melodious chord. The next day it had become a cacophony of random experimental jazz. The seasons keep us in our place. As does our Six on Saturday leader, Jim at Garden Ruminations, and I would recommend skipping over to find out what the rest of the universe is up to this fine Saturday morning. Let us shake a leg.

When my Cloggie family visited a couple of weeks ago, my brother and I did a hasty tour of the garden, dodging the annoying showers. The flower that caught his eye was the self seeded marigold. The one that he saw was in full bloom and in full focus, but I’m sure you get the idea.

I don’t usually sow hardy annuals, but this year I got some free Calendula Buff Pygmy and thought I would give it a go. There is a long way to go, but so far so healthy looking.

An unnamed nerine in a pot. That’s all I can tell you, except, of course, it is very lovely.

The sunflowers have done their flowery bit and now are at the feeding the birds stage of their lives. It is good to have a full and productive existence. I’m sure a few seed will have dropped to the ground and next year we will have some inappropriately placed giants and I will laugh and blame the blue tits.

The begonias have been splendid this year although the ones out the front are looking rather battered from the recent wild weather. This rather flouncy one is in a more sheltered area and is still holding its own. The little snail thinks it a worthy bivouac.

It only seems five minutes that the fresh young leaves of the Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ were emerging. With this wind the fiery display won’t last long, already they are scattering the lawn. Then we will be left with the hope of next year.

Another six done, another November arrived. Keep your chins up, nearly spring.

Six on Saturday – Doom

It is a recurrent problem, the same every year. I can’t solve the inordinate time it takes to accustom myself to the concept of autumn. Winter – no problem, spring – a joy, summer – luxurious; but autumn brings me nothing but impending doom. After a few weeks of moroseness I give myself a stern talking to and I get over it. Until the following year when it happens all over again. You will be pleased to hear that I have reached the “getting over it” stage. There is nothing like a bit of Six on Saturday-ing to lift your spirits and if you are not convinced by my contribution then I’m sure our leader Jim at Garden Ruminations will set you on the right track. Be warned, I might not get into jolly mode straight away, baby steps.

The cosmos have been slow to flower this year but have made up for it in these last few weeks. This one has been on the floor at least six times and OH has dutifully hoiked it back up again. Storm Benjamin was one gale too many and it has now snapped at the base. It is certainly doomed. I will pick it over for seed before I compost it. Perhaps it has shed its progeny already and next year we will have a crop of cosmos in the lawn. Could be interesting!

Welsh Ann gave me a piece of Salvia ‘Amistad’ earlier in the year and it has been very happy in its allotted terracotta pot. Now, should I protect it for winter or not? A tricky question. Probably, I should, to be on the safe side. I think I am going to need a greenhouse extension.

This Cautleya spicata is having second wind, producing a late and most welcome bloom. It wasn’t very happy with the dry weather earlier in the year and gave a rather half-hearted floral display. You can’t blame it really. We live in challenging times.

Definitely on its way to shelter in the greenhouse is the Tibouchina urvilleana. Before its incarceration for the colder months, it is showing some very pretty autumnal colours.

Very late to the party is Salvia leucantha and for my sins I can’t remember which one it is. I will pretend that its full name is of no consequence to me and that its beauty is all that matters, but in reality I’m a bit miffed I lost the label.

Impatiens tinctoria was one of the chosen few that were given extra water over the dry spell. It has rewarded me by flowering well and, although a little laxer than it should be, has done me proud. I have a cutting that I will over winter in my Tardis greenhouse.

There we have it. I feel much better now. Except the greenhouse bit. I am not sure how everything is going to fit ……