December Snow

Eeh by gum isn't it cold outside, as Yorkshire folk say. It certainly has been and we had a couple of inches of snow followed by a couple of very cold days when temperatures plummeted to -15 C. The garden birds were certainly glad of there breakfast.

Beautiful Butterflies

The final days of September and we have some Butterflies in the garden feeding on the Michaelmal daisies and the vibrant magenta Cosmos. This is a Tortoiseshell and there was also a Red Admiral and even Speckled Wood flying around.

September Dew

I bought this rose for our wedding anniversary last year it is called "Rosa - I Am Macmillan". A new variety bred in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care in 2015. Last year it budded well but fell foul of Rosie the Roe Deer who ate all the buds. This year it has fared much better and it has continued to bloom all summer long. September mornings are often cold and the garden is filled with sparkling dewdrops covering the flowers and foliage.

Flower of the Week

The name Osteospermum is derived from the Greek osteon (= bone) and Latin spermum (= seed). Osteospermums belong to the daisy family ( Compositae / Asteraceae), hence their common names: African Daisy or South African Daisy, Cape Daisy and Blue-eyed Daisy.

Japanese Anemone

I always think these Japanese Anemone's are so photogenic, although this one is open a little too much to capture the delicateness of the petals.

Baby Blue Tits and Blossom

Baby Blue Tit on Viburnum Blossoms

Polemonium 'Purple Rain'

Polemonium also known as Jacob's-ladder or Greek Valerian. Polemonium 'Purple Rain' is a bit of a hidden gem, I actually bought this for its dark foliage last year but I didn't do much so I was surprised that it survived the winter and here it is a very delicate beauty in the garden.

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep

This year seems to have been particularly successful for our bird population. Already we have had successfully fledged Blue Tits. Coal Tits, Great Tits, Robins, Blackbirds and Goldfinches

Summer Rose

There is really nothing more elegant than a rose flower, and this year we have some. Thankfully Rosie the Roe Deer seems to have found another garden for her favourite treat.

Welsh Poppy

Lots of Welsh Poppies have self-seeded in the garden over the years, most are orange but occasionally you get a yellow one.

Brachyscome - Strawberry Pink

Brachyscome - Strawberry Pink, a rather big name for a very small but beautiful flower.

Acer palmatum 'Dissectum'

This beautiful Acer has been over the pond for at least 30 years old, me and dad we planted it when the pond was made. The Marsh Marigold's have been there about the same time. I remember buying the double one from Stapley Water Gardens near Stoke on Trent. We haven't really seen it flower the last few years because the Roe Deer have been particularly partial to the Marigolds so it was good to see it flowering again under the Acer.

Forget me not

In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name."

In another Greek legend, when the Creator thought he had finished giving the flowers their colours, he heard one whisper "Forget me not!" There was nothing left but a very small amount of blue, but the forget-me-not was delighted to wear such a light blue shade.

In medieval times, it was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love.

In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers.

Cherry Blossom

Although technically not growing in the garden, I managed to get some pictures of the Cherry blossom in the churchyard just as it was opening and before it got damaged with the wind and rain.

Marsh Marigold

These have become quite a rare site over the last few years, even though there are lots growing around the pond. Both flowers and foliage have proofed much to the liking of the Roe Deer pallet over recent years.

Muscaria

April and the garden is looking much more colourful, as the yellow daffodils fade the blues of the Grape hyacinths and the forget me not flowers appear.

Goldfinch

The birds win three weeks in a row, this week it's the turn of the Goldfinch.

Brambling

Not the best of pictures but this guy has been hanging out with the Chaffinches in the garden.

Siskins

We were lucky to have some Siskins on the Niger seed feeder this week, only one picture but never mind.

Helleborus (Hellebore)

Helleborus bring a magical touch to the garden during the winter whilst most other plants slumber. The large double cup shaped flowers have a dainty appearance that defy nature by surviving the cold. The glossy dark green evergreen foliage highlights the true beauty of the dappled flower. The Cornish refer to helleborus as "The virgin's mantle". In medieval times they were said to be good for breaking bad spells and curses so were often planted next to the front door. 

Robin

You can always rely on our friendly Robins to come and pose for the camera.

Still Cold and Frosty

We are still having cold and frosty mornings and also a covering of snow on Thursday but it soon disappeared.

Happy New Year

It's still very cold but still no sign of any snow as we begin 2017.