This week’s six has a snow damage focus. Last Sunday’s snow and frosts have taken their toll. The ground has remained frozen and winter is here. Let’s start with a carry over from last week.
One
Here is the missing picture of my bracken /fern for you to consider. There are a number of these in the garden. Are they Bracken of Fern I ask myself, this site might help Fern or Bracken? It’s all in the pinnate . Whatever they are, they are ready for the winter cut back, next year’s uncurling fronds will be a sure sign that spring is on its way.
Two
The iris leaves had been standing proud and green but all that was wiped away. The collapsed and now brown leaves need to be cut back. The new green leaves will be another sign of a new season starting.
Three
Shaking the snow from the plants is a necessary task. Left too long heavy snow will bend the branches downwards and some may snap. Cold wet hands have to be suffered but the positive was the delicious aromas released when I shook the snow from this sage and rosemary.
Four
The cut flower patch has been dug over, the last remaining flowers consigned to the compost heap and the last of the mulch applied. The fox has stopped by to dig a hole. Next year this will be used for potatoes. Its a reasonably sunny spot at the shady end of the garden. I am not sure that I will be able to find a suitable spot for next year’s cut flower patch. That’s for me to ponder over the next few months.
Five
Meanwhile, in the greenhouse a few autumnal sowings soldiering on. One pot of sweet peas, some penstemon cuttings, a very late salvia cutting and some love in a mist seedlings. The temperatures have dropped quite low and I’m hoping the lemon tree isn’t too offended. What is actually stopping me from buying a greenhouse heater?
Six
More of my January jobs. Cutting back the stems of the autumn fruiting raspberries. I transplanted a few canes from the old allotment plot. They didn’t do too well this year and I am hoping they will be more productive next year. But I worry that that they might not be getting enough sun. I am going to have to learn how to grow your own on a shadier plot.
Thanks to The Propagator for hosting the wonderful Six on Saturday. Read his blog posts and all the other Six on Saturday posts from around the world at The Propagator my plant obsession
n20gardener 
How can you not like persimmons? I miss mine so much. They were the big squishy ‘Hachiya’.
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Mine are small, not squishy so far and ripening inside doesn’t seem to work. Just not enough sun here perhaps?
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Do they not start to ripen on the tree first? I left mine out to ripen completely, even though they were very difficult to pick when rip and squishy. It was like picking pudding wrapped in paper towels. Frost sort of ‘finishes’ them, like bletting. The smaller ones do should not get so squishy, but should instead stay quite firm. Do they just stay green?
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Persimmons are liked … or not ! Just find the right time to eat them otherwise they don’t taste good… very nice picture with this persimmons tree … I understand that birds love them! And I guess your sedums will survive.
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Worth the wait! Lovely Six. I think keep the rambler, add a couple more roses or other climbers to compliment. Clematis maybe? Properly supported and tied in, of course.
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Ah Mr Fox & his garden critique. Very fortunate you agreed w/his assessment. The pre-snow photo of the persimmon is wonderful, only improved by the addition of said fox. I like your rose idea & may have to steal it at some future date.
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I’m beginning to think that here in the country, foxes and squirrels are much friendlier! I’ve never suffered any damage from either; no bulbs dug up, no containers overturned. The one young squirrel who hasn’t yet learned that I’ll keep the (bird-proof) squirrel feeder topped up with nuts all winter is a dab hand at carefully burying them around the garden without disturbing anything. On the other hand, a single badger will do more damage in one night than any number of other visitors will think of doing in a year! Nice to see another Niwaki convert. The joys of Japanese steel!
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The foxes have been digging here and there around the garden for some time – if it is them. I hope they are not looking for a new den. I regularly see them cross the garden on their way home after a night out. Just keep moving on, I say.
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The persimmons glowing through snow make for a lovely photo.
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This is a comment for your 17th posting, as I can’t find a comment section for it. Your sage looks so healthy for this time of year, despite getting blanketted w/snow. Mine is not nearly as happy & w/less abuse. And yes, working among the herbs is such a delight for the nose. Have a good holiday season & look forward to seeing you again next year.
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That is not frost damage. That is just what iris and ferns do when they get cold.
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The sage and rosemary looks fantastic despite being blanketed by snow. Thanks for sharing your six!
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Oh I have sage envy! Lovely lovely plant. Will go out and give mine a stern talking to
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Hope your sage responds well!
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