There's a nip in the air

Some parts of the country have had frosts this week.  It's been pretty chilly here, but as yet no frosts.  It is time however to lift my Pelargoniums.  I've grown 5 this year in my containers and as I've removed all the bedding plants and composted them, I've potted up the Pelargoniums to bring into the porch for winter.

Each of my containers has received fresh compost and been planted with a vibrant pink cyclamen, three pale lilac-pink violas and a couple of clumps of yellow wallflowers.  I'm not sure why, but I like the clashing colours of pink and yellow.   In the spaces between these plants I've pushed early blue iris bulbs which will flower around February- March.

Bumblebee's pot has also been revitalised with a white cyclamen, deep blue violas and the same blue primula from last winter which spent the summer in a little pot out of the way, patiently waiting for its turn to shine once more.

Both roses in the terrace seat have been pruned and given a good mulch of  well rotted manure.

The Man That Can cut back the two honeysuckles remaining on the patio arch and dug up the roots.  The red crocosmias from either side of the arch were removed and replanted in the Yen Garden. 

He then cleaned up and prepared the arch and gate and set about giving it a lick of black paint to tie in with the Yen pergola, under the watchful eye of Angel.

Meanwhile, having left it too late to find suitable white varieties,  I've planted two types of pink tulips in the right hand side bed, after tidying up some of the fading foliage of the hardy geraniums.   The gap created by removing the crocosmias either side of the arch has been filled with allium siculum (Sicilian honey garlic) and allium Purple Sensation.  As both are from the onion family I'm hoping they will not only provide a pretty combination, but will also lend themselves to a spot of companion planting since planting a garlic clove has proved to be useful in helping prevent aphids on my roses.

Once the paint was dry, the new climbing rose "Shropshire Lad" was planted.  This David Austin rose promises a vigorous, healthy plant with peach-pink highly scented repeat blooms.  

And finally the Viburnums have been moved into place as the hydrangea pots fade.

I'm looking forward to next summer already!