A good death

If there's one thing certain about life, is that it is limited.  That's why it is so vital to live life to the full, grab every opportunity to enrich it, and have a good death.  It's a great concept in theory but unlike plants we humans rarely go out with such a finale.  Today's entry is a fanfare, a celebration of death, a closing performance if you like.

Himalayan birch 

Cornus 

Viburnum 

Azalea 

Liquidamber styraciflua Lane Roberts 

Hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecake 

Weigela Wings of Fire 

Magnolia George Henry Kern 

Acer Crimson King 

The two acers borrowed from the neighbour's garden (above and below)

Heuchera 

Purple Pittosporum tenufolium Tom Thumb with bright green new foliage. 

Acer in front garden 

Hydrangea in front garden 

Deep chocolate heuchera 

And Staghorn.

The bright red stemmed cornus didn't fare well behind the birdbath. I suspect cats laying in that area didn't help, so TMTC has moved it to a brighter spot.  The roots looked healthy so I think it will survive. 

The wires and eyes have been removed from the old fence across the end of the back garden, along with the mirror.

And Folly door.

In our garden since we use mainly shrubs and perennials, dying usually isn't so final.  Already bulbs are pushing through the soil and blooms are forming on winter flowering shrubs.

Inside the baby spiderlings have readily sprouted roots and the first batch have been potted up.

One has already made the journey to its new home with our Dutch friends.  The next batch have been popped into glasses of water on the kitchen window sill but there are still a great many more babies on the mother plant!

Tiny flower buds are forming on this Christmas Cactus in the sunroom.

Last Christmas, our Dutch friends cut back their large rubber plant (ficus elastica) and we helped show them how to use the sections removed as cuttings.  Much to their delight the cuttings rooted and were potted on over the last 9 months.  One of their babies now resides here with us.  I hope I can continue their care and raise a healthy new rubber plant.

And finally, bulbs from the Netherlands have also been gifted to us.  These will be planted later next month, deeper than usual as suggested to endeavour to help them bloom the following year.

What's in a Name?

Many plants are named after loved ones or famous folk, some are named depending on the conditions they thrive well in, others by the colour of the flowers or foliage.   However there are yet more that are named according to the time of year they perform best.  I'm thinking Narcissus February Gold, which in my garden means March-April, the Christmas Cactus that is flowering again just now in March.  In particular I've been patiently waiting for my newest Rhododendron, Christmas Cheer to bloom all winter.  Today is 26th March. 

But isn't she worth the wait? What a shot of colour!

Talking of colour, All my narcissi cheap buys from last year are looking fabulous!

November - with attitude.

As we move from autumn into winter most of the trees in my garden have lost their leaves.  The few remaining are putting on one heck of a display this year, most thanks to the acers.  The first two overhang from our neighbour.  The third is in our front garden.

Moving inside, "The Toad's" Christmas cactus is flowering spectacularly this year.

Pre-Christmas colour

Winter. It's been particularly mild thus far, but while December is classed as a winter month, it's rarely seen as that bitterly cold snow covered scene on the cards shared at this time of year.

The first 'Christmas Rose' is unfurling along with blue and pink buds of primulas 

Silvery markings on cyclamen above with emerging buds on viburnum. 

Winter jasmine is the only flower in full swing in the garden.  The tiny sweet scented blooms appear for the first time on viburnum bodatense 'dawn'. There are two clusters on the pink winter flowering variety in the pink garden.  Once fully established I'm certain it will fill this space with welcome winter loveliness.

A single pink 'New Dawn' rose clings onto life while it's leaves are passing. 

This lovely rich hue is supplied by Pittosporum tenufolium Tom Thumb above, now it's leaves have all turned shiny purple. Below is a hebe in a very similar vibrancy. 



A new acquisition is a cornus alba 'Baton Rouge' which has a stunning red bark and promises red foliage.  

It was my birthday last month, and with money from my dad and step-mum it took me a while to find this fantastic plant to brighten up this space behind the bird bath.  It's positioned in perfect eyeline from my seat inside the house and creates a lasting reminder of them.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.