November

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November 2009

The mild dry weather has turned to chilly then stormy. Rainfall has been above average but nothing compared to some parts of the country where people have had to leave their homes.

I haven’t been able to go into the garden because of the weather so I have bought plants and bulbs instead. Helleborus argutifolius and Salvia nemerosa were purchased on my way to my painting class (I was early so I popped into the shop to look at their Christmas merchandise. I was determined not to be tempted by plants until I saw the hellebores through the window…..) I bought an Aster lateriflorus called ‘’Black Prince’and a Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’, both from a cut flower stall on my way to work. They don’t normally have plants apart from a small amount of bedding. I also purchased Narcissi ‘Thalia’, ‘Penstemon ’Wedding Day’ and Trillium grandiflorum. Apart from ‘Thalia’ everything is waiting to be planted.

The Molinias are adding a golden touch to the garden. I really like these grasses, nice ‘flowers’ which last well into winter plus their brightly coloured leaves make them a useful plant.

Some years ago I was given some lovely late flowering plants by my neighbour. She didn’t know the name but I think they are Schizostylis coccinea. They have been flowering since October and are still going strong as I write this on 6 December.
Towards the end of the month the winter flowering plants started to bloom. Jasminum nudiflorum with its bright yellow flowers add a touch of sunshine.

One of the reasons we bought our house was because of the trees lining our road. However, the tree outside our house became diseased and had to be felled. I asked the council for a replacement and they planted an Acer campestre. I hadn’t heard of it so I looked it up on the internet. I was pleased to read its a native tree that turns golden in autumn. Its a lovely tree.

I have been asked to create a woodland garden at a local community centre. The trees I recognise are oak, birch, hawthorn and a couple of apple trees. Most of the leaves had fallen by the time I visited so I am going to concentrate on herbaceous plants for this year while I see how much light gets through the tree canopy.

Schizostylis coccinea

Jasminum nudiflorum

Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’

• 9 Dec, 2009
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