There is nothing like the first frost to wake up this semi hibernating gardener. It was a light one but it had me scurrying to get the last of the pellies into the greenhouse. Not that my unheated greenhouse offers much protection, the thermometer recorded 1.3 degrees. Winter approaches and six things in the garden becomes an interesting challenge. Here’s my motley collection for the week.
One
The last vestige of summer – the second flowering of the delphiniums. Hardly enough to make a show but such willingness to have a go must be admired.
Two
Likewise for astrantia major. This plant is happily self seeding in the garden. There may come a day when I regard it as a thug but for now I’m content to relocate the seedlings to other parts.
Three
The first of the hellebores has flowered. This is a very early variety known as ‘Happy Day’. I picked it up from a plant sale once upon a time and I’d like some more of them but I haven’t been able to locate them. I never seem to be around when they are setting seed – note to self: must try harder. It is time to have a look at the leaves of hellebores and remove last year’s foliage. More advice on this can be found in this RHS article .
Four
All those good gardeners who have winter structure in their gardens will be smiling smugly now as I try to find the last three. I don’t have much in the way of seasonal shrubs which I always mean to rectify but never quite get round to. My long border winter structure comes from four euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii. Every year they take it in turns to look unhappy. Believe it or not, this is one of the healthier ones. This year’s sad specimen is being closely watched but I now have two seedling understudies waiting in the wings.
Five
This is a part of the garden that’s waiting for some inspiration. It is a narrow border and this half of it has been home to wild blackberries and a thornless cultivar since before we arrived. This week’s job was to cut back last year’s fruiting canes and bring the whole thing under control again. The berries are welcome in the summer and no doubt some will be kept but each year I manage to get a little more this border turned over to flowers. Maybe next year I’ll push on to the end of the path.
Six
Last week I borrowed a weeping willow tree from my neighbour and this week I am borrowing a gorgeous rose. Who knows what it is, but it is leaning over into my garden and looks full of curiosity. This weekend I will be browsing rose catalogues from the comfort of an armchair in search for a new climber for this garden. The passion flower is going and a new rose is coming.
Tulips and roses are in my thoughts for November. The weather has been relatively gentle here so far. That cannot be said for other parts of the UK. I hope you are not suffering flooding or constant rain and that there is something still be found in your gardens. All will be revealed in Mr P’s roundup and no doubt there will be blue skies from the other side of the world.
n20gardener 
We had a light frost last night. I haven’t been out in the garden yet, but I think six interesting things will be hard to come by.
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I always think I’ll never find six but it is a surprisingly good way of making sure I really look at my garden especially in the cold weather. And the birds were singing 🙂
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We had our first frost last night but then it chucked it down all morning. That last rose is a stunner and I like the euphorbia photo. I’m still pondering what tulips to get but a rose has been ordered!
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Rose has been chosen but not ordered – digging out the passion flower is going to be a challenge! But I’ll order the rose this week and then I’ll have to dig it out! Saturday was a wash out here.
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That rose is stunning. I wish I had one flowering over the fence. I’ve only got brambles as we are surrounded by fields here. Lovely six. Enjoy your weekend. Karen
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Thanks Karen. It’s always lovely when the neighbours grow something nice! But to be surrounded by fields has its plus side too!
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No frost here yet but it won’t be long. I did like you many trips garden to greenhouse to protect some plants from the cold…. and it’s not over ! Next tomorrow and Monday because it’s a day off
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I haven’t wrapped the lemon tree yet – on balance I think it needs the light, but I must be careful. Enjoy the day off.
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I’m mightily impressed by all the sixers who keep finding something to show in their gardens! I like your Euphorbia and the Hellebore. I took a look at my Hellebores today and nothing doing so far, I planted three new ones over a year ago so I am hoping for flowers this winter.
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Happy Day is a very early one. I just noticed yesterday that I have buds on one of the other white ones. They are just coming through so we should be in hellebore heaven in a week or two!
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Had a quick look at mine (too chilly to be out long) no signs of buds yet…
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How lovely that you’ve still flowers on your Astrantia. Mine have virtually disappeared so I cut the last few leaves off yesterday. That’s a beautiful Rose to be able to borrow.
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Berry canes should not be so difficult to manage. At least you prune them. The main problem I notice in other people’s gardens is that they do not get pruned properly. Mow, blow and go gardeners actually shear them like hedges!
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That would be terrible!
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Well, yeah, but so much of what they do is.
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