I have the mid-winter feeling. The frost of last week took out the bergenia flowers and the salvia ‘Amistad’ is a brown stem. But I can see the days lengthening, the bulbs are beginning to nose through the earth and the garden is gently flexing its muscles. Mid-winter feels like a quiet time but there are seeds to be chosen, potatoes to be selected and jobs to done.
One
A friend was sharing out some low growing campanula, I guess it is carpatica. It’s a spreader of course. That is why there is plenty to share around. I’ve taken a pot full to add to my border with a wall. Hopefully it will drape itself elegantly downwards.
Two
I always have pots of verbena bonariensis to share around. This tatty collection is destined for my daughter’s new garden. We are waiting to see what comes up first before any planting can take place.
Three
I flexed a few muscles this week. On the right is the hole left by the fig tree. The stump has been ground out – not by me. On the left is the space for the new tree. It is positioned to be equidistant between the persimmon tree and the first apple tree. Thus giving them all a chance to breathe. I’ve only taken off the turf to mark the position. Now I’m wondering if I can make a semi-circular flower bed. My only problem might be the remains of the spreading roots of the fig tree.
Four
The fig tree may be gone but there are plenty of fallen figs still be collected. With each one I pick up I say to myself ‘You won’t have to do this next year.’
Five
The hellebores are coming into their time. Helleborus argutifolius or the Corsican hellebore is really beginning to shine but something is being brave enough to eat the prickly leaves.
Six
Here’s my ‘Pretty Ellen’ white, I’m developing a clump of these around the oak leaf hydrangeas in a newly planted border. It’s early days yet but this area is beginning to fill out. The green shoots of Tulip ‘Maureen’ have just appeared, ready to take over in May.
I have news of the greenhouse. It should be delivered by the end of January with installation probably taking place first week of February. That should set me up nicely for some seed sowing in March. Oh yes, things are coming along nicely. I hope all goes well in your gardening spaces and over at Jim’s place. He’s the host of the SOS meme so stop by at Garden Ruminations and catch up with the news.
n20gardener 
I don’t think the fig roots are a problem because they are quite superficial. The location seems interesting to me. About the Corsican hellebore, it’s one of the plants I’m looking to add to my garden! I love these serrated leaves
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I hope that’s the case with the fig roots. They are quite dense but as you say hopefully all superficial.
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Verbena bonariensis and some types of Campanula are a bit aggressive in our gardens. They are not so aggressive that we must remove them necessarily. I mean, those that grow where they are an asset to the landscape can stay. We just know that we will need to contain them. I would be hesitant to share them; or I would share them with a mild warning. I happen to be fond of various types of Campanula, as well as fig trees. About fourteen fig trees inhabit one of the storage gardens, where stock plants live. When I take cuttings for the home garden, I will limit selection to only three, black, white and honey. (they lack cultivar names, but they are copies of trees that I grew up with.) (Fig trees survive to provide cuttings in the storage garden, but do not get enough warm sunshine to produce good fruit.)
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A mild warning is sensible!
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Something has eaten through the flower stems of my pink hellebore. Not eaten the flower though! Mice? Rats? Rabbit? Really odd. And two pots of bulbs where the shoots have been grazed to the ground. It’s nice to see the days getting slightly longer, but I need some warmer days to encourage me out to clear away all the blackened mush lying around. Great news about your greenhouse!
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I’m convincing myself that tomorrow is a day to venture out but it’s turning chillier!
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Wow, that comment took me three attempts as it kept coming up saying I wasn’t logged in, even though I definitely am. WP can be so darn annoying!
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The same thing happened to me, only it actually took my three very similar posts!
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It’s baffling that. Happens here too.
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I like your comment that the garden is starting to flex, I’m so looking forward to more daylight hours. But you’re right, theres plenty to do now. A greenhouse and new apple tree in your near future, that’s exciting!
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I’m hoping the greenhouse will urge to sow more seeds!
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Pretty Ellen lives up to her name. That’s good news regarding the greenhouse, the timing is perfect.
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I so wish I could grow a fig tree. I’m on my 7th. The hellebore is pretty. Every year I see them on the SoS blogger’s photos I think I must get one.
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Thoroughly recommend hellebores. I wish you luck with your fig. 🤞
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