Six on Saturday - 30 November 2024

It is fairly calm today, and reasonably mild, for which I am delighted after the gales heavy rains and frosts of the last few days,  I don't switch off from the garden, and love to get out there and tiddle around.  As usual I am joining in with Jim over on 'Garden Ruminations'.

1. Having removed the usual tender plants from the alcove by the front door, some pots from the back garden were co-opted to soften that space: one of them being the Nandina that I had bought  earlier in the year at the HPS spring sale at Yeo Valley.  It had perked up pretty well after being moved to  a larger pot.  

Nandina domestica 'Obsessed'

It is just one of those plants I bought on impulse having admired it elsewhere, but without a mind of where to plant it in the garden.  Whilst it is in its pot I shall move it around, until having been potted up maybe a couple of times, it becomes too heavy for me to move, and then it may well end up somewhere in the garden. Mr S's back is 'fragile' and I have been given notice that he is retiring from being the too big and heavy pot mover!

2. On the other side of the front door are three pots: Primula 'Treborth Yellow' which I planted up a couple of weeks ago, Hebe Topiara plants grown from cutting and the piece of lava stone filled with Echeveria Elegans, which is only brought in if the temperature is likely to fall below freezing for several hours. 

3. Why am I thinking about violas this time of the year? I have long been charmed by these small pretty flowers and on and off have grown several violets, violas, pansies etc. Unsurprisingly I was drawn to a delightful small old book on the growing of sweet violets which I bought at an HPS Somerset meeting. It is beautifully written and so full of interesting information about how to grow healthy plants for the market and also for amateur gardeners.  In the middle of winter isn't delving into books and finding a new group of plants to learn about a source of joy for gardeners and plant lovers? 

Here is how 'not to grow' Viola odorata 'Kim'.  A tangled mess of the original plant together with all its runners.  

4. Last weekend we were well and truly under the influence of Storm Bert and we seemed to have the strongest winds from a southerly direction which for a time ravaged the back garden and rocked that lovely tall Pittosporum.  When the winds stopped the plant was still at the same incline as it was at the height of the storm

I used all my weight and strength to try to righten it, but it was no use.   Except on one side by the fence where one of the big roots is exposed,  the rest is still intact, and for now I have cut down the shrub, and will see if it sprouts back.  It had had some damage earlier in the year and it was then tied back to the fence.  This time the thick rope was broken and we were very lucky that happened and that it was not the whole fence that was brought down. 

5. Just how unattractive can a Fatsia Japonica Spider's Web get? 

Not only are the shoots reverting to green, but I suspect that snails have found a favourite exotic flavour.  I may well have to dig this plant right out, cut it back and hope new growth may give a reasonable plant  year.  I'm considering whether to grow it in a pot where defence from from snails will be easier.  I only say this as I have a couple of suitable empty pots, or should I really bother?

6. Over towards Acer Corner, just in front of the other E. fortunei 'Blondy', is Fuchsia Silver Linings with leaves completely caught by the harsh frost.  If you were to look out there today, none of this top growth would be seen.  I have cut  this down for  a number of years now and know that here in the shelter of the wall, covered with a good mulch for the rest of winter, it will come back next year.

That's it for this week but over at Jim's there will be more from gardeners keen to log six things from their gardens. 

In a Vase on Monday - After the Storm Bert

We have had some atrocious weather during the weekend, with gales and heavy rain brought by Storm Bert and our usually sheltered garden was absolutely battered.  The lovely large Pittosporum Garnettii had such a rocking that parts of its roots were torn from the ground, breaking its rope tie to the fence and ending up far from upright.  I tried to straighten  the plant which was about 12 foot high with five stout leaders, but its weight was far too much for the fence post to act as anchor fearing that any more wind would simply bring the fence down too.

I spent the better part of the morning sawing each individual branch down, and salvaged some fine twigs to add to a vase.  It is goodbye to this lovely shrub.  For now we have a much more open view over the stone wall.

The vase is a lovely studio glass vase, a present from my friend Jean a few years ago.  It has had a dried flower arrangement in it which after a couple of years only recently got thrown out.

For more flowers and arrangements, it is over to Cathy's post.

Molten Ebbor Goat's Cheese with Roasted Banana Shallots

 In Jack Sturgess's Bake with Jack Home Baker's Club each month as well as bread recipes and full length classes, he also has each month a 'With Bread Recipe'.  To accompany the Rosemary and raisins rolls, there is a Molten Camembert on Roasted Banana Shallots.

Since we don't eat cow's produce, I decided to try this with an Ebbor goat's cheese from Wookey Farm. 

 

With thyme from the garden and red peppercorns and a sprinkling of the special salted fresh Kampot Pepper, we had a delicious lunch.  I had never eaten a baked cheese, as when we go out it is normally a baked cow's cheese that is on the menu.  Now that I have the technique for baking the cheese, this will most definitely be repeated.  Since I had to open a bottle of wine to help finish off the butter and olive oil in which the shallots were braised, we felt a glass of the Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc that we had enjoyed and bought at The Grape and The Good's last wine tasting event,  was the perfect match too.

I do remember fondues! 

Six on Saturday - 23 November 2024

 I really thought last week might be last posting of SOS from my garden, but I have managed to scrape through for another Six.  The first frosts hit the garden over a couple of days with water frozen on the bird bath, but we had no snow. Today with Storm Bert which is bringing winds and rain, the plants are swaying around.  I am joining in with others oven on Jim's Blog Garden Ruminations.

1. The Frosts hit the garden this week leaving behind collapsed nasturtium leaves and surprisingly the Persicaria Red Dragon.  It had grown quite extensively over the summer as it did not get its regular cut backs.  It had even covered this Golden Euonymus which was grown from cuttings 'purloined' from an overhanging and totally overgrown plant which was obstructing a country path.  I haven't a clue as to the variety. After a suggestion from Jim, see below in the comments, and looking up pictures I do believe this is Euonymus might be Euonymous fortunei 'Blondy'. 

2. At this time of the year when the flowers are nearly over it is the bigger leaves that catch the eye. Zantedeschia aethiopica from South Africa which I used to call Arum lilies must be in a slightly less frosty part of the back garden.  The leaves add a little drama.

Zantedeschia aethiopica

3. Each year I am in two minds about rooting up this winter flowering Jasmine which is one of the original plants in the garden.  It flowers spasmodically but the little birds love perching in the tangle of branches, and when I catch sight of a beam of sunshine on the frosted flowers, it melts my heart and earns its reprieve,  

Jasminum nudiflorum

4. These Pelargoniums were outside by the front door, and were sneaked into the conservatory just in time to escape the frost.  With such lovely flowers still they can continue to give us a little colour for a few more weeks.

5. Late bloomers and early bloomers appear to collide with each other.  When I cleared the nasturtiums away, this early snowdrop was revealed.  I'm unsure of the variety as its label was not visible, but one of the specials or else a lucky seedling.

First snowdrop of the 2024/2025 Season

6. The Fuchsias have all been hit by the frost, however Aster Monch is holding out for just a little longer. Again this plant could probably do with being better placed as it is a little crowded out and needs a fair bit of space.  Now is not the time to move it, that will best be done in the spring.

We are getting lots of rain this morning, and the light conditions are very poor all brought about by Storm Bert.  Let us hope there will be a little dry weather and sunshine in the coming week.

The First Snowdrop

We had our first frost last night, but today has been bright and clear.  This afternoon I went into the garden to clear the nasturtiums that been nipped by the frost, and look what I found.  The first of the snowdrops.  Name tag missing, but I may look further tomorrow.  Might be Galanthus J Haydn. 

First snowdrop 20 November 2024

 More cutting back over the next few days, and looking forward now to the bulbs coming up.

Rosemary, Raisin and Sea Salt Rolls

The pre ferment which is left to rest overnight in the fridge helps to give a great depth of flavour to these delicious Rosemary Raisin and Sea Salt Rolls.  These are one from November 2024 Jack's Home Baker's Club. For me the shaping technique was a new one, which I almost got right after watching Jack's demonstration. 

We had them for supper last night with some cheese, after a hotpot/soup made up from the left overs from The Sausage and Lentil with Apple and Sage Recipe on page 139 of my new copy of How to Eat 30 Plants a Week by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. 

I just happened to have bought some sausages from our market butcher, and didn't want to go out to the shops again.  Hugh's swaps and additions suggestions were useful , as swede was used in  place of celeriac and frozen spinach balls in place of Kale or cavolo nero. For the soup dish,  I just added some water and cut the left up veg and sausages into smaller pieces.  

In a Vase on Monday - Joining in with the 11th year Anniversary

I was delighted to read Cathy's post this week celebrating the 11th Anniversary of In a Vase on Monday and she has certainly earned my congratulations on this day.  I'm not quite sure when I first joined in, it was perhaps June 2015. 

I haven't been on top form regarding standards of vases for these weekly gathering recently, and neither have I been a constant contributor.  At the 11th hour I have decided in recognition of both Cathy and all the other people who have joined in over the years to mark this occasion.  It is not with a fancy vase or a boastful range of blooms, but with just what happens to be on the mantle shelf today. Even when I don't post I will have plant material such as this adding something to rooms, which I feel don't match up to what might be expected. 

Form and shape were very much in my mind when I arranged these few stems of Pittosporum Tom Thumb, picked from the garden simply to reshape the shrub.  The new growth is green and the older leaf purple.  As both Mr S and I react to pollen, we often have just some leaves in a vase.  The feeling is very much in the vein of a house plant I suppose, and here the vase is joined by some beautifully coloured leaves of a Cercis tree which I picked up in a friend's garden. The Vase itself is a Caithness one which I found when browsing one holiday. 

Over the last few weeks I began to realise that the world is getting too full of various viewpoints and opinions, seems to be unnecessarily fast and too complex, everyone seems to want to hear and give and share and discuss and influence, inform, cajole and judge.  I feel more calm and am embracing simplicity, and maybe this vase reflects this.  

Six on Saturday - 16 November 2024

The weeks wiz by , and now we arrived at mid November leaves me baffled.  Jim is our leader for sharing of six things in our gardens.  The guidelines for joining in and the place to anchor your post is on his blog Garden Ruminations. 

1. With sunshine came butterflies and bumble bees visiting the Chrysanthemums, and made the grey days of last week melt away. 

Another special moment came when a robin  made the most of the bird bath, and since then, I have been cleaning it and changing the water each day. As I did yesterday evening.  I worked in the garden till it almost dark enjoying the company of Robin even though he is still very shy. Digging out the sedum, planting the fern, and giving the Conservatory bed a good tidy and mulch in readiness for the spring bulbs to emerge.

2. The cyclamen coum are already starting to flower in that bed.

3. At the start of the week the nasturtium leaves were still vibrant and green, adding to the frisson of wondering just how much longer they will hold, and still today they are green. I may well go and pick some since next week is forecast to be much colder.

4. The grass Panicum virgatum 'Sangria' bought this year is lovely but has not developed the red or purple flushed leaves I had expected.  It have developed a pale golden colour which works nicely in that spot.

Panicum virgatum 'Sangria'

The height suits this space and hopefully next year when it is a little more mature it will be more handsome.  I had Japanese Blood Grass on my list, and when I popped into my local garden shop to get some grit, they had one by the entrance.  I shall wait till next year to plant it out in the garden.  If anyone would like to comment on the foolishness of this please do leave your views in the comments.  I don't want to release an invasive plant into the garden, so shared experiences would be useful.

5. I've made a start on gently mulching the conservatory border.  Around one of the Rosa Grace  was the Primula "Treborth Yellow", which I was quite bowled over by this spring. Not surprisingly I had split it after flowering  into three.  A few weeks ago I had taken one and split it into three good plants, that I moved so that it as backdrop the dark foliage of the Pittosporum Tom Thumb.  

Primula "Treborth Yellow" planted up

This week the remaining two got divided and planted up into one of my special pots, hoping that it makes a real eye catcher next spring. With  a good sized space round the poor struggling Rosa Grace and a good measure of manure, it had better show its gratitude next year, or else it is being removed.

6.  Yesterday afternoon as the sun set Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' was giving off what seemed like a glow, with the colours even more intense and rich than in the picture taken in the afternoon.

Strangely it is only now that it is starting to flower.

I really had thought I would not have had sufficient to choose six this week, it may be harder still next week, but hopefully I shall be able to go out, potter around and enjoy as pleasing a session as I had yesterday. 

Greenwich-Country mice enjoy their second day

We had been warned on the eve of our holiday that the kitchen at our hotel was having problems and that we would be having breakfast at The Novotel their sister hotel, just a short walk down the Greenwich High Road.  That was fine by us since we liked walking, and I rather enjoyed the walk before breakfast.  On the first day I grabbed a window seat that looked over the road towards the charming early nineteenth century Queen Elizabeth College Alms-houses.

Our post breakfast saunter took us across the street and down Langdale Road, along Circus Street and down Royal Hill where there are a line of just my type of shops: a butcher, a green grocer etc. The standard and displays of goods was so enticing and inviting, and how fortunate for the residents to have this.

We also passed through Gloucester Circus, and down Crooms Hill as I wanted to check on the opening times at the Fan Museum so as to be able to  return to buy myself a fan. It was a treat to admire all the period houses on our walk. I have since found some interesting historic maps showing the development of the area.

Our first planned visit on Saturday was to the Cutty Sark. In the past few years we have enjoyed visiting different sailing ships from The Mary Rose and others in Portsmouth and SS Great Britain in Bristol.  We bought joint tickets for The Cutty Sark and The Royal Observatory. We thoroughly enjoyed looking through the ship at its exhibits and learning about its history. Built as a fast ship for the Tea Trade with China and later bringing Merino wool from Australia, it started it maiden voyage in 1870 and brought back nearly 600,000 Kg of tea.  

A quick walk back to the fan Museum to big my fan, before doubling back to select some nice bakes from Gail's Bakery to fortify us ready for our walk up to the Observatory. Again there was so much history associated with Science and developments which allowed Great Britain to 'rule the waves'.  Sir Christopher Wren's design of The Octagon or Star Room is functional and exquisite at the same time. 

The Time and Longitude Galleries were very well set out, and it was a privilege to get up close and see Harrison's Clocks. I found the history of the site fascinating. 

Harrison's H1 Clock

Marine timekeeper, H1 is the first experimental marine timekeeper made by John Harrison in Barrow-on-Humber between 1730 and 1735 as a first step towards solving the longitude problem and winning the great £20,000 prize offered by the British Government. Known as 'H1', the timekeeper is unaffected by the motion of a ship due to its innovative two interconnected swinging balances. It compensates for changes in temperature and has extensive anti-friction devices, meaning it runs without any lubrication. It was the first relatively successful marine timekeeper of any kind and was the toast of London when Harrison unveiled it in 1735.

On hearing we were to visit Greenwich a friend had lent us 'Longitude' by Dava Sobel.  Mr S read out passages to me.  Inspired by the official prize offered in 1714 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitudinal positions at sea, Harrison produced his four famous 'H' timepieces. He helped revolutionise navigation at sea, saving many thousands of lives. The final time piece H4 can be held in the palm of one's hand and was completed in in 1759. 

As if we had not had sufficient interesting visits, time was short, and we decided to walk across the park to Ranger's House as we are members of English Heritage.  The Wernher Collection housed in the Ranger's House is absolutely magnificent, and would really need several visits to take in all the treasures.  Sadly photography is not permitted. English Heritage describes the collection as

' Unique in both its quality and breadth, the Wernher Collection is one of the greatest private collections of art ever assembled in Europe'.

The walks back to the hotel across the park as the light faded was a delight.  The weather was relative mild for November, still and with no rain.  We caught sight of the city across the river light up.  

We had the set menu at Highroad Social, which had a nice evening restaurant vibe with excellent service and good food. 

Country Mice visit London again - First day on a Short Break in Greenwich London

 It is not often that we venture to the Capital least of all stay there. We had been driven through Greenwich once before and remembering the appeal of the area, went and booked our first Coaching  away weekend there with a small local bus company: John Martin Coaches Ltd.  

Our Hotel Ibis was well placed and we enjoyed all our exploring and walks. The first place we visited on our arrival, was The Fan Museum which was just a bloc away.  We were each fascinated in turn by the different cabinets calling each other to view different details.  The Museum is housed over two floors in an early Georgian Building.  The set up and elegance of the Museum reminded me of the larger Tassenmuseum in Amsterdam. 

On the first floor the current special exhibition is called 'A Breeze from Heaven' featuring both English and Dutch fans from the 18th century onwards, such as these, all  with Bible themes.

 Opposite more contemporary fans with The Adam and Eve theme.

We went through the shop as one does, and looked at the merchandise, and there was just one fan which was a little smaller than the fan I usually carry, and would be a better fit for my smaller handbag.  I thought I was just getting shoppyitis and felt strong leaving it.  However in the night it must have been mulling through my head and the following day went back and purchased it.

After the fan Museum we headed to the 17th Century Queen's House.  It is certainly a bright gem on the Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even before reaching the house along the Colonnaded Walks linking the House we were totally entranced by the beauty of the architecture . These  Neoclassical colonnades wings and buildings each side of the house were added in the early nineteenth century as part a Seaman's school. 

It is  easy to understand the impact of the Classical Building would have made. Just as the London skyline viewed across the river had on us. This building was completed only 32 years after the death of Elizabeth I.

Every room in the house is hung with the finest of paintings and other art . And this early painting from the Easter Islands by William Hodges who travelled with Captain Cook, really captured our gaze as it was hug above a door we walked through.

This is the not to be missed 'Tulip' stairway, looking down.  Going up and down these stairs when they were new would have been the most thrilling of experiences, similar perhaps to the feeling of using one of those external glass lifts with views to the outside. Something I am yet to do! 

The Architect Inigo Jones who designed the Queen's House had seen such stairs in the Convento della Caritá in Venice. Incorporating these in this ground breaking design of a Royal retreat and entertainment venue was a tour de force. 

The white stone stairs, with each tread resting on the one below were the first self-supporting spiral stairs in Britain and were made by Jones's  mason Nicholas Stone.  Without a central support this would have been the first time people had an unobstructed view up stairs through the centre of a building right up to a skylight. 

It was already getting dark as we made our way back to the hotel and the various shops made for interesting viewing.  After a little rest we ventured out again, walking towards the Cutty Sark and admiring the views across the Thames.  Where to eat the first night?  We walked around and eventually thought  why not taste the very English and traditional Pie and Mash at Goddard's, with a goodly serving of mushy peas, and  a very good apple and blackcurrant crumble and custard large enough to share to finish off.

On evening meanderings along the area we stepped into a specialist chocolate shop: Dark Sugars, a feast for the eyes only this time as none were purchased! I don't eat chocolate....

Luxury chocolates at luxury prices!!!!!

Six on Saturday - 9 November 2024

Autumn is upon us, and I can't quite say winter as we still have not had a frost.  At least it has been drier this week, but absolutely grey with poor light levels.  It is still worth getting out in the garden and finding some sort of activities to get lost in.  From my observations here in the garden are six items, and therefore I shall be linking in with the other SOSers over at Jim's.

1. Ginkgo 'Mariken' is closing down for the winter. 

2. However Corkscrew willow: Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa' pruned during the summer and defoliated, just because I was annoyed by all the caterpillars or grubs that had already nearly done the job for me, bounced back, grew new shoots and is hanging onto its leaves pretty well considering we are in November. 

Salix matsudana 'Tortusoa'

3. There are two patches of Chrysanthemum Hillside Apricot giving a boost of late season colour to the garden.  This Chrysanthemum has proved itself: surviving the wet of the winter and the poor summer this year. This was a gift from my friend Brenda back in November 2021.  There is something appealing about having such a reliable and good hardy chrysanthemum. Even this patch that is not in full sun is doing well.

Chrysanthemum Hillside Apricot

4. I think I have only mentioned this plant once since I first bought it in 2015, despite Fern Athyrium Otophorum v Okanum being a favourite of mine.  Early in the spring, when it emerges with its pale leaves and maroon stems, it is one of my top plants for form and grace at that time of the year..  

Athyrium Otophorum v Okanum

So how come I have singled it out for this week, when its leaves are just starting to die down?  This week I was wondering when to repot it up,  and surprisingly for the first time, looked into how best to look after it.  I found out it likes a good moist soil, and semi shade and that it is clump forming.  How remiss of me, and how tough it must be to have lasted nine years in altogether the wrong conditions! 

I think it might just suit a spot by the bird bath when the Sedum Autumn Joy has been growing.  The sedum now cut back was in too shaded a spot which led to too tall stems.  Whilst thinking about the fern, I inadvertently now need to think of where best to put the sedum.

5. I can't help but propagate, it is like an itch!  If I have a pot of compost, and I see some shoots I feel compelled to try cuttings, as I did on Thursday when I was trimming the Verbena bonariensis.

It is probably rather late in the season to be taking cuttings but there was no material earlier on.  Time will tell whether they root.

Verbena bonariensis cuttings

6. The prostrate Rosemary in the gravel garden is braving the weather, and when dry is a go to plant for the late bumble bees and other insects. How strange that the rosemary flowers this time of the year rather than in the spring or early summer. 

I do hope we get a little sunshine next week, if not just to raise my spirits, and get me back into the garden.  I have some Sternbergias which were a gift from Hilary to plant out in the front garden.