Six on Saturday - Its nearly Christmas

Christmas day is set on the calendar but the weather is more likely to dictate what is happening in the garden, and even then each plant may react differently.  What we have had this past week is very low light and lots of blustery weather. I'm joining in with Jim who is in charge of the SOS festivities, where we bring and share our feast, and where gatecrashers are welcome so long as you bring a six pack from your garden, otherwise lookers in are welcome and comments are always appreciated. 

1. As many of you may have realised I love cyclamen, and even have a few pots to drop round to a friend as a sort of Secret Santa, on my next walk.  I have yet to collect Cyclamen coum seed, but the ants do a good job of spreading them.  It has probably taken three years for the pattern on the leaves to evolve on this one. Here the slim dark green Christmas tree radiates light in the form of paler lines and is completely different to any of the others in the Conservatory bed. 

2. Many of us in the UK are now in the tail end of storm Pia, but still the top of the Pittospurum garnettii is seldom on the vertical.  The link shows the plant only three years ago!

3. There may be better forms of this yellow flowering Jasmine nudiflorum, but since it flowers here from November onwards, I am reasonably happy to keep it, more so because the little birds like to gather there as they cue up for the bird bath,

 4.  I may have mentioned during the last week or so that I was getting frustrated regarding the loss of labels particularly for my snowdrops.  I addressed that problem during the week, and made a a concentrated effort.  Many were found, but had to be washed and with the aid of maps of the garden, and peering intently at faded labels, rewrote quite a few.  I also found that some labels on plants given to me by Brenda, the writing was still clearly visible.  She recommended Staedtler permanent Lumocolor, Fine tip and I've since been looking at reviews for garden pens.  Any tried and tested recommendations?

Relabelling snowdrops

5. Viola tricolor is one of those lovely little plants that easily comes up from seed, and from its position in the veggie patch right in the middle of the row of parsley I guess it arrived there courtesy of the ants again. The original seed arrived from Jim himself in 2021, and I've enjoyed it wherever it pop up.

Viola tricolor

 

6. There is no frost or snow on the horizon, so the little patches of white can be no other than Primula juliae White Wanda, or Primula 'White Wanda', or even Primula x pruhoniciana 'White Wanda'.  

They are yet to get into their stride, and for some reason or other, I took it into to head to remove all the old leaves.  It really does shine out in the gloomy weather.

When we meet again, we shall probably have all been out in the garden enjoying the fresh air and exercise, with hopefully more to show.  Happy Christmas to SOSs around the world.

Tree Appreciation Tuesday - First in the line of London Planes in Wells Recreation Ground

One evening last week as we walked from the Palace to our car, we walked through the Recreation Grounds listening to an owl hooting.  It was dark and very quiet which perhaps allowed me to take in the line of the trees which runs along this path in a different way.

Entrance to Wells Recreation Ground

The very first tree is the largest in this line, and as I walked again along the path this Sunday with my friend Jean, we considered whether this was because it was the closest to the Palace moat and had close access to plenty of water.

This Week's Tree the largest in a line

After several searches, I have found out about the history of the park as it was set up in the late 1880's led by Bishop Hervey, I also found a 2023 Survey of the trees by Ayers Forestry Ltd.  Although I am a great admirer of Plane Trees and recognised the structure of the branches, and the shape of the leaves, it did not have the usual flaking bark which epitomises the outer bark. However the Survey does list this line of trees as London Planes.

The bark on the trunk does not have the large scally plates, I am yet to learn why and whether this is the form on older trees.  I have worked out that the trees were probably planted soon after the park was formed, but of course this was on the Bishop's land so may well be older.  The survey gives the diameter as 1200mm and height as 27m.

I posted pictures on the Facebook site Britain's Ancient and Sacred Trees, and this comment described the condition of the tree:

Nick Owen

The surface of the main bole shows epicormic growth - a kind of burr like Patricial Borley says. The tree itself has been pollarded at least twice. Once when young to give a bolling and then high pollarded more recently. There are also 'doughnut' scars that suggest sporadic minor 'surgery'. It seems to have lots of friends in line astern of it, close to that building, the closeness may give rise to more surgery in future.

In a Vase on Monday - Group activity at our WI monthly meeting

Last year a few of us in our 'WI Blooming Fun' group met at members' home and had Alison, whom many of you knew from In a Vase on Monday,  lead a group activity making Christmas table decorations. This year we held our monthly meeting and one of our number stood up and made her arrangement, explaining the principles for the whole group. We are a large group which something like 70 members.

This is my arrangement with material from my garden, except for the berries, and mistletoe, and no the golden Choisya and the flower heads from Fatsia, weren't from the garden either.  I found that the brass mesh in the water caused it to cloud awfully with a rusty deposit.  I had the same thing happen when we used it last year.  After taking this picture, I exchanged it for some pin cushions, and the water has stayed fresh.  Otherwise like last year, I would have needed to change the water daily, and also have a rusty stain to the lovely glass container.  This is a strange sort of vase, which whilst hot had been moulded to fit onto its wooded base.  I do however like the vase even empty as an 'object', since I also love wooden things.

People were generous with material from their own gardens, and there were tales of neighbours gardens being raided, or course with permission. There were so many different arrangements, and everyone was delighted with their creation, even those who had not tried anything like this before.

I loved this one with gilded acorns:

After an evening of creativity and fun, and great nibbles of mince pies all home made by Maggie including some made from filo pastry to look to samosas, each member whether they had a garden or not, went home with an arrangement.  Most had a lovely candle in the middle.

The evening was enjoyed by everyone, and everyone now has an arrangement to enhance their Christmas displays, and the knowledge and confidence to recreate a table centrepiece again.

I am posting late in the day, and will non the less be joining Cathy who set up this weekly get together, where I gain so much inspiration.

 

Six on Saturday - 16 December 2023

It is Saturday again, and nearly Christmas.  The weather has been dank and dreary but no frosts. Looking round the garden and assessing where the garden is now, I believe I am entering  the 'Because I like it, and it is a good grower' phase of my gardening, I may have forgotten the names, and need to search through my notes, or past posts, which in itself is quite fun, but sometimes this is tricky.  Anyway I love to read Jim's posts and also those of the rest of us that post about our gardens then link in under the weekly Six on Saturday theme.

1. This little wild thing is struggling against the gnawers in the garden. Ignoring the  fact that it is at least a couple of months early. It isn't a primrose but a hybrid found growing wild, and brought back to the garden, its flowers grown from a a stem

 

2. These two dainty snowdrops are nameless at present.  My labels have disappeared, or maybe they were misplaced during the upheaval caused by the reformation of the circular seating area.  I do remember two bulbs being found and then placed quickly in the ground.  Also I planted some bought bulbs last year and forgot to make a note of them.  Maybe I am changing from a 'collector' to just a lover of plants in my old age, 

3. These little fruiting bodies appeared in a pot in which I was growing on some cuttings, and having posted it on the Facebook site of British Mycological Society have learnt a little more even though the picture may be poor and I need to take some better pictures of part of its structure when they may be final decision for now the consensus is that it is Pholiotina rugosa.

4. I do like plants that are good in the winter, such as this one in the shady border:  Arum Italicum'

In poor light the lighter plants and shrubs are a bonus as far as I am concerned, even though for the most part I view them from our conservatory.  When we had it built,  the builder was surprised that I did not want a wall at the base, however I wanted to be able to see the whole garden. 

5. A top favourtie little shrub is this Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Little Star', what a great little shrub for a small garden.  I bought this in 2014, and when we moved here I planted it into the shady border.

Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Little Star'.

6. A couple of months ago, I picked up this little Cyclamen coum from a local nursery that I frequent regularly on account of their being a very good open vegetable stall twice a week. 

Cyclamen coum selected leaf form

Although it is unnamed, its leaf form does shine out on the darker days and is of course in view from the conservatory. Even when one grows cyclamen from seed collected from a particular plant interbreeding means one does end up with a mishmash in any case.  It takes two or three years for the true leaf shape and markings to emerge, and maybe another year or two before the flowers, and it is then the case of comparing them against the named forms. 

Up at Rocky Mountain Nursery the temperature is always cooler, it is windier up at the top of the Mendips but always worth a little drive out to see what is available. I'll need a warm hat and coat as I head up there this morning. 

Tree Appreciation Tuesday - one in a line of oaks

One of our regular walks just from home down on to  the levels and round Hay Hill and along Haymoor Drove lies a number of several large Oak Trees.  On one side the land rises, but on the drove side, the roots of these large oaks plunge into the Haymoor Rhyne.

Even though we have lived here a relatively short time, we have come to love the diversity of the landscape, from the Mendips to the low laying areas.  The drainage ditches are called rhynes which on the whole are straight, and often alongside run droves, which are almost totally unsuited to traffic except for farm traffic, but make excellent cycle and walking routes to view the varied bird life, tree scape, ample skies, and in summer beautiful cattle and sheep.  

Walking away from Coxley Wick in a clockwise direction just as the drove starts to fall to lower ground is a series of tall oak trees.  The one I have singled off for particular appreciation this Tuesday is this one, with long extending limbs as if reaching out towards some spot on the horizon. 

I posted this next picture of that same tree on Briton's Ancient and Sacred Trees on Facebook:

It is not a good picture, as it was such a dark day and I felt I had to adjust the exposure to show some of the detail.  The follow comment were very interesting: 

Pollards are often much older than maidens of similar size and girth because the act of pollarding slows growth. This tree looks like a pollard because there are several large trunks (and at least one scar) growing from the top of a trunk. Nick Own Dec 2023

Several of the other oaks had multiple trunks.

This is just past the main clump of oaks in the direction we were walking, with one or two more oaks further along.  These two riders we crossed  again 30 minutes later, when we stopped to have a chat.

At this stage I looked back and took a picture of the main group of oaks.

This week many of the fields are covered in water. Indeed had they not dredged the rhyne last year and left the ever increasing mounds at the side of the one tracked tarmacked lane,  a little further down on a right angled elbow, we would have had to walk along the road in water nearly up to our knees.  Even so walking along the 'bank' between the rhyne and the road led to a feeling of 'adventure' and excitement.  The water fowl were having a great time on the flooded fields and dozens of BBB ie Big Black Birds ranging from crows to jackdaws were busy feeding on worms around the edges of the water. 

Early this year there was less water in this field I really ought to have taken pictures this week, but with further heavy rain looming, I felt that I had lingered long enough and Mr S was getting techy as we had left before our morning coffee time and had taken a drink with us.

I am currently reading The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.  It is beautifully written and I am learning so much about Trees.

A challenge from our WI Photography Group

 This morning my friend Alison met up at the Bishop's Palace in Wells.  Our intention first was to do a round of the gardens, but rain chased us inside to view the lovely decorations.

Our WI photography group's next challenge is to made a video or slide show.  This is my first attempt, and will probably use it again, if only to get the process into my head.  Rereading the challenge it did say 'seasonal' and lucky me this fits the bill.  The Palace is beautifully decorated with much of the material for the floral displays coming from the Palace Gardens.

Tree Appreciation Tuesday - Even when dark

 As the days grow shorter, and leaves fall, it is not unusual for me to be out when it is dark.  My walk to town if I attend meetings or happen to meet up with friends in the evening, takes me, should I chose not to take a detour, along an urban street, at the town end of which stands a Silver Birch Tree.

Of course it is always a joy to see this Silver Birch on the corner backed by a mid range Victorian Villa.  It happens to be growing very close to a lamp post.  It looked attractive with its white trunk lit up and it fine branches and catkins already forming reading to expand in the warmer spring temperature.

This picture was taken on the night I was walking back from having dinner with friends from my WI photography group.  Our leader Janette had set us the theme of night time photography.  On the way in I had taken some pictures of our very quiet town centre, which I was fairly pleased with.  On the way home I took our my phone and thought to take very pictures of the Silver Birch at night.  This is the only one I took, as for some reason the time for me to head home is the time for youngsters to come out and head to town or simply go out to 'hang out with friends'.  After a few strange looks as I took the first picture I felt a little too shy to take more!

On Tuesday evening I walked again to another function in the centre, and this time I was able to take a couple more pictures.

Silver Birch under street light

Looking back at my appreciation for the Silver Birch in general, it came to mind that I have planted them in several of my previous gardens.  They grow amazingly quickly and the first one I bought was hardly more than a sapling from Woolworths and  is now a fine and tall tree, all for less than two pounds.  I try when I plant trees to plant them young without any stake or tree guard and have always been successful.

This was the first of my pictures for the month's photography challenges that of Wells Bishop's Palace.  Taken with my phone.  

At one of our previous homes  a tall silver birch grew in the front garden to reach to the third floor. I remember  one year a large flock of gold finch alighted and spent time eating the seeds, and another time in front of my very eyes, whilst tacking a heap of ironing, I observed the defoliation of the tree by sawflies, feeding like little pigs at a trough all around the edges of the leaves.  It only made for a bare tree for a little while, and the tree was quite recovered the next season and did not suffer the same fate again

Six on Saturday - 2 December 2023 Chilly weather round up.

Its been 'parky' for sure. At  -2 C this morning when I went to look at the garden and take some pictures,  with several layers, hat etc, you can tell I am fairly caught up with continuing to keep up with the weekly SOS.  We haven't had any snow, and the frost have penetrated plants and pots. I am joining in with Jim and others as usual. 

With no green-house most plants have to brave the elements and only time will tell what the survival rate will be.  

1. Some succulents that were in the conservatory have been moved into the house.  An example is this Portulacaria afra 'Variegata', which is now sitting in the only south facing window in my shower room.

2. Plants that were outside looking as if they are suffering from the cold have been moved to the conservatory:

Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

It doesn't seem to want to grow the well patterned leaves anymore, perhaps it doesn't like being in a pot!

3. With the frost and freezing fog one of the noticeable things in the garden have been the cobwebs festooned all around, cobwebs of differing types of construction, which explains why wrens and other small birds are seen explored all around.

 Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata

 4. The Fuchsia is definitely frozen and has that end of season look.

 Last year I cut this fuchsia as I did others right down to the ground before the frosts and they came back as strong as ever, and therefore I am going to take the chance to do the same when the temperature rise a little later in the week.

5. When I saw the first little snowdrop of the season, I knew it was time to prepare the Conservatory bed ready for its Spring Act, which often starts mid December.  I have been urged by a friend and also the gardening media not to cut back plants,  but if left the bulbs would all be covered by dying and rotting foliage, and for this bed that is not the look to enhance or indeed encourage the emerging vegetation.  It looks sparse now and every emerging shoot can be seen!

6. This year's cyclamen seed order are now planted up but staying in the utility room until the first seeds emerge.  They will then go into the conservatory which is kept at around 7 C, then in the spring they will move to the shady side wall.  Thanks Jim for reminding me last week to get on with the sowing.  Looking at my notes I sowed last year's seeds as soon as they arrived as well.

It is hard to think that even now we can get on with things in the garden, far nicer to read up and browse other SOS bloggers' posts till it get a little warmer.