Won In A Raffle

Is it a Zantedeschia,Tommy? I had a cream one this year,lovely plant.I have just taken it up,and dried it out for next year..

The name rings a bell Bloomer, unfortunately I do not have much storage space so I just leave in the garden for storage. I do cover over with leaves or old multi compost from my tubs or baskets. Some years I have placed an upside down flower pot over the place where I know the died down plants are for protection. I know I might sound mean but I was balancing the price of protecting or risking the cold and buying new plants the following year. The bit of garden that I call the rockery is a steep bank that gets the warmth from all sides. Virtually frost free.
I have 2 garage walls on opposite sides of the plot, reflected warmth and light from my house wall and south facing the other. This spot is where we have a slow worm spend winter.

I don't think its mean to try and save things..that's what gardeners do..and it's so satisfying when they survive the elements..against all odds sometimes..good luck with it,you are lucky to have a good frost free area..

I'm on top of a hill in the Chilterns and if you go into my back garden it's sometimes like going from the fridge to freezer . Only get 3/4 sun in summer and no direct sun during Autumn-Winter-Spring

We are just the opposite..down in the valley between the hills of the Pennines...still cold,but 2 coats warmer then higher up,as they say here....and my back garden gets the sun from the East and South,so I am pretty lucky in winter..if the sun shines..:o)

Hello Bloomer
I bet you have some brilliant scenic views where you live. Do you see many birds of prey on your walks or sitting in the garden, I like your two coats warmer than higher up.
How are the property prices in your area ?

Yes we do Tom..sadly we haven't seen any birds of prey while out walking, or in the garden..but seen a few when up in the Dales,or in the Lake district..our little pied wagtails have appeared this morning,as they are foraging among the fallen sycamore leaves on the road,for insects..and saw a Bullfinch a while ago.I am going to buy some niger seeds ,to try and attract the gold finches..as they visit other gardens..but not mine..Property prices round here aren't too high...:o))

Hi Bloomer, our pied wagtail seems to have disappeared since the robin has taken residence. There are two large sycamore trees just outside the back fence. I have a bird box fitted to my house in the back garden. My neighbour tells me that he has seen blue tits going in to roost

I have not seen a gold finch for over three years now and that was when it was inspecting some dried seeds on my Buddleia shrub, I have tried the niger seeds and even different mixtures to see the different birds that I can entice into the garden. I don't think it helps with the cats from next door.

Shame about the cats..I left the seed heads on my Buddlia too,but haven't seen them visiting..nor have I seen them on the Pyracanthas..and there are so many berries this year..maybe they are waiting till they have exhausted their other supplies..now the leaves have almost gone off an Alder tree,we found a little used nest snuggled in the centre,,but the Bluetits didn't use the bird box this year..only nested in it once,in 6 years !

I reckon this warm weather is keeping the birds feeding where ever they go for those few months they all seem to disappear. I have noticed if the weather turns from the Northerly direction the birds like the great, blue tits, long tailed tits and chaffinch seem to arrive with the weather front. You also get the Robin's sparring partner the dunnock.
They each seem to stand their ground.
Opposite our back bedroom windows I can zoom into the top of the beech and oak trees. I can now see what looks like a new magpies nest . Two crows seem to have taken a interest in the nest with the magpies going mad