Bringing out the leaf blower

Amazing how much colour can be found when we really look. Lovely clear photos Kate.

Oh, you can't tell me about leaves, Kate! There is one particular area of the side garden that catches all of them from the 2 horse chestnuts in front of our house and we have to dive between the large fuchsias and spiraea to clear inches of them so the snowdrops and daffs and other small bulbs don't get choked. What a job!
Your photos are gorgeous and really help me appreciate small detail. We have a few green hellebores flowering and one orientalis type, like you. Not much else. It all looks rather slimy and uninspiring at the moment as it seems to rain at least during part of both day and night. Never mind, no ice so far, so all good.
Crocuses and snowdrops are pushing through - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them...

Lovely photos as ever Kate. We have been blowing leaves too … but there are still some to come down. Cream Hellebores are flowering here, and one Cyclamen, and that’s about it. Like Ange, our garden just looks wet and a bit sorry for itself … 🙂.

Some lovely photos from your garden Kate, even though it's a dreary time of year there seems to be a lot of greenery there for you, and a few flowers too :)

Thank you, Josee. I definitely went looking today.

Ange, I’d say touché, but, I think you win the leaf drop contest! 😁
Thank you for your really lovely feedback! I’m pleased you like my little ‘tapestries’ - a description you came up with a while back. I’ve noticed a few bulbs starting to show, although, today, I had noticed something had nibbled at a couple 🙁
We’re lucky the weather has been fine so far. But, yes, the garden is almost ‘unreachable’ due to the very damp and boggy conditions. Roll on Spring..

Thank you, Sheila! That’s kind of you. It’s odd we’re still mopping up lots of autumnal leaf drop! I’ll bet your hellebores are looking very pretty too, I’m looking forward to my buds flowering!

Julia, that’s a lovely compliment, thank you! I do agree, we’re all a bit fed up with our gardens looking a bit ropey…it’s so difficult to get out there and even have a mooch around..

Thank you so much, Hywel, that’s very kind of you. I do have quite a bit of evergreen planting, I hope my bulbs manage to give me some colour in the spring! I love my greenery, but, I think I need to think about some flowering shrubs this year. 😊

I hope you find some nice ones :)

if we are doing a leaf 'game' I have the beech trees front and back as well as the sycamores etc in the neighbouring gardens. so do I win? :o))
the up side is when clearing soggy leaves around the greenhouse yesterday I found 2 frogs and a toad. Still have piles of them all over the garden borders.

spent most of yesterday removing leaves from pots of plants that I hope to sell this year at various plant groups.

your plants look very healthy and happy Kate.
I really must crack on with some heavy pruning, the large lilac needs reducing considerably. The side bit has a day lily that has not earned its keep but spreads so that will have to come out. Lots of plans, lets hope I get to do it soon so I can enjoy the garden come the sumeer.

Your garden looks so bright and colourful Kate and your succulents are amazing!
You have such a lot of evergreen colour too!
I bought a new leaf blower/hoover last year but when I decided to use it, there had been strong winds overnight and they had all blown away! We have an evergreen long hedge, so probably mingled in to there.
There are still Alstromerias flowering and one penstamon, but expect that when the winter does arrive, they will be gone.

Thanks, Hywel! I shall enjoy trying! 😉

Thanks Eileen, appreciate your compliment....and yes,
I do believe you've trounced us with the leaf drop!! I've seen your beech trees and your neighbouring trees also!
It sounds like you're busy as ever, with much still to do. Yes..crack on if you can, and summer will reward you!

Thank you, Rose! That's a very lovely message, I'm happy you like the pics!
It must have been very fortuitous the day you didn't have to get the leaf blower out!!! They are quite cumbersome aren't they! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that the wind blew the leaves far beyond your hedge!
I guess you're enjoying the lasting flowers often penstemon and alstromeria until the weather decides to change and the temperature plummets..

Thank you very much, Klahanie! That's kind of you. Think our weather due to change from overnight. Much colder.
I'll bet it looks quite magical around your area right now with all the snow.

Your photos brought brightness to my dull dreary day.

Thank you, Sue, I'm so pleased to hear you say this - it's very lovely of you.

Beautiful.photos Kate and lots of interest there. Yes your succulents are looking very fresh and perky...Happy New Year!

Thanks Janey! That's really kind of you, very much appreciated!!!
I'm hoping, as I do every year, the succulents make it through...Happy New Year! 🤗

Aw thank you, Paul!!! That's lovely of you to say! Thanks kindly.
I'm with you re. The succulents. I don't have a greenhouse, but, I was thinking - as I do every year- about getting a small cloche or propagator to keep them snug through the wintry months.
Best wishes to you and your family too, a happy and healthy New Year!

Beautiful photos as usual… so much detail..

Thanks DD! That's very kind. Hope you ate keeping well! x