Gardens are ... an inspiration!
By stickitoffee
19 comments
If everyone were to complete the phrase ‘gardens are…’ there would be a thousand different thoughts; although for most of us it would possibly be with similar sentiments ~ relaxing, places of solitude, calm and beautiful ~ and sometimes hard work!
Today I went out into my garden and found it an inspiration:
This is one of 3 shy little buds quietly coming up through the freezing air and still it manages to shine and light up the day.
This one had only a thin fleece jacket to keep it alive and although it looks a little less flamboyant than usual ~ here it is bright and reflecting the sun!
Delicately scented and full of promise this is Viburnam Charles Lamont ~ perhaps not the first flower that you notice but nevertheless a lovely contribution to any garden.
Dwarfed by the towering oaks and the huge pile of dead leaves this little primrose is determined to cheer up its surroundings
But this surely has to take the prize ~ trapped in solid ice, frozen into a cold world it has emerged only a week later growing new life!
It certainly made me think!
8 Jan, 2011
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Comments
thanks pauls garden. i was told that you have to put apple seed in the fridge for a while to increase the chances of germination, dont know about the freezer?
perhaps thats what happened to my clematis ~ every little thin twig was encased in ice!
8 Jan, 2011
Lovely pictures Sticki..I have buds on my Clematis too,almost unbelievable with what they have gone through..I was told to keep my Delphinium seeds in the fridge,till time to sow them,and it worked well.I think it is beneficial to a lot of seeds..I believe Pyracantha and Holly berries,need a period of stratification in the cold garden to germinate..or so I have been told...
8 Jan, 2011
if seeds benefit i dont see why we shouldnt ~ dont basketball players have a 'cool down' time?? or is it chiller?
but i dont want to be in a fridge! just a nice quiet time to chill??
8 Jan, 2011
a chiller sounds gud to me lol .... maybe bailys over ice !!! def take away the winter blues , sat infront of the log burner watching the garden thro the windows ......... dreaming of spring arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .............................................
8 Jan, 2011
baileys over ice ~ now that is a good idea. i dont have a log burner ~ have you got lights outside cristina?
8 Jan, 2011
i have a few hun lol but u can dream carnt you .........did u look at the pics i put on ?
8 Jan, 2011
just found them ~ lovely, thanks!
8 Jan, 2011
I spotted some clematis buds today and just gazed in awe !
Baileys sounds very good to me as well.
Lovely pics. Sticki'.
8 Jan, 2011
thanks valadel, i had the baileys last night ~ id forgotten how nice it was! ~ thanks cristina
9 Jan, 2011
Your photos are also an inspiration, esp the Viburnum - beautiful ! and also the clematis - I love them. When I see the buds of a clematis I always feel excited. I don't know why lol :o)
9 Jan, 2011
thanks hywel
9 Jan, 2011
Once again lovely pictures Sticki, it is amazing to see that the gardens are springing into life again, despite what the heavens throw at them.
9 Jan, 2011
i should have put a photo on of that clematis a week ago ~ you would hardly believe it. the photos didnt come out too well tho ~ i shall have another look.
thanks LL
9 Jan, 2011
lol glad you enjoyed the bailys haha ..... a glass or 2 may warm us up enogh to go out and do a bit in garden lol . went out an had a look at mine........ lots of buds and bulbs comeing up woooo hoooo , carnt wait to get out there . have to be content with painting kitchen at mo ;0p
9 Jan, 2011
Lovely to see life comming and colours even if some did get frozen.
9 Jan, 2011
Lovely photos, was the second picture a Fatshedera, I should have fleeced ours the new shoots have been caught.
I do not bother with the ice...just drink the Baileys on it's own, it is stronger that way lol
10 Jan, 2011
yes thats fatshedera ~ i love it! at first i hadnt protected it and it was looking very sad so when the next lot of snow came i built a little tent over it with 3 canes and some fleece material.
no i dont generally have the ice either ~ but i can drink it either way.
10 Jan, 2011
I think I might do that, if we have any more bad weather, I have two but this one is my favourite, and it is rather exposed.
12 Jan, 2011
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17 Aug, 2010
Is it true freezing some seeds and buds actually helps Yes it is weird - Fatsias have a knack of coming to life quick as a week - also holly and ivy thrived in my garden - nice blog and nice to hear and see your garden is surviving
8 Jan, 2011