tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post2650561177297007321..comments2023-04-09T11:46:58.887+01:00Comments on Graphicality-UK: Great expectations HELENEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-44418150622507039172014-01-15T03:48:50.285+00:002014-01-15T03:48:50.285+00:00Many of the plants in my garden are evergreen so t...Many of the plants in my garden are evergreen so they will always stay green, I have chosen plants carefully so that I have a garden to enjoy all year round, even in January. But I can’t wait for spring to get started properly either, I have so many plans and things I want to do!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-90334904773696168982014-01-14T22:45:13.193+00:002014-01-14T22:45:13.193+00:00Wow, I can't believe how much greenery you sti...Wow, I can't believe how much greenery you still have. I'm already longing for spring to arrive here.Donna Heberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12510395666314072728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-17960795681690995112014-01-14T00:50:55.250+00:002014-01-14T00:50:55.250+00:00Here in London we are relatively sheltered compare...Here in London we are relatively sheltered compared to on the coast, but we are not spared the floods and that’s what we are battling right now. I live in an area of London that is not at risk of flood from the rivers so I am lucky but large areas west of London is flooded from the Thames. Just as scary as big waves I think.HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-85067663411666911132014-01-14T00:50:46.174+00:002014-01-14T00:50:46.174+00:00Hi Astrid, the weather here has been really bad fo...Hi Astrid, the weather here has been really bad for a long time, but a bit calmer for a few days now. Unfortunately it seems like the unsettled weather with wind and rain will be back again towards the end of this week so this was just a short break. HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-34116457504189812942014-01-13T03:32:04.894+00:002014-01-13T03:32:04.894+00:00I love your teacups with the iris, so clever. I di...I love your teacups with the iris, so clever. I did see images of the awful weather you had, and the giant waves hitting England. That must have been a spectacular, yet scary sight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-48912646719770448162014-01-12T21:02:09.445+00:002014-01-12T21:02:09.445+00:00Hi Helene - glad to hear that Britain's violen...Hi Helene - glad to hear that Britain's violent winter weather has left your garden relatively unscathed. How wonderful that some of the predicted die-backs, like the geranium, have continued to flourish and grow! I love the little bulbs already peeking out from the soil. Gives us Northerners hope :)Astridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17208261869410640449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-67290579102167997332014-01-12T18:30:51.263+00:002014-01-12T18:30:51.263+00:00The weather is turning colder, drier and calmer ov...The weather is turning colder, drier and calmer over here too, but I hope we won’t get a prolonged frost, as long as it keeps above freezing my garden and I are happy! I have actually never lost any plants to frost, only due to drought in the summer, despite having lots of plants that is quite tender. <br />Have a great week!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-28518519830751153402014-01-12T18:30:40.795+00:002014-01-12T18:30:40.795+00:00I would love to live in a climate like southern Ca...I would love to live in a climate like southern California, my parents live in southern Spain and although it is quite cold there right now, just a bit warmer than here in London, it warms up very quickly once we get past February and they have summer again. Unfortunately, moving to Spain or California is not going to happen for me so I just have to get by with the London weather, which is not too bad after all – at least not so far this winter, but we have 2 more months to get through.HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-86233259007275359042014-01-12T18:30:27.586+00:002014-01-12T18:30:27.586+00:00Thanks Marguerite, I absolutely love scented plant...Thanks Marguerite, I absolutely love scented plants and have wanted a Daphne for my collection for a long time. HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-16436811263777884972014-01-12T18:29:34.954+00:002014-01-12T18:29:34.954+00:00Hi Beth, I do feel lucky indeed, where my sister i...Hi Beth, I do feel lucky indeed, where my sister is living in Norway they are expecting night temp around minus 25 C and lower (-13F) the whole next week, that’s usually the standard for January but pretty cold to get up to go to work and school in the morning. After all these years in London I think I have forgotten how that feels. Certainly no spring bulbs emerging over there for many months!<br /><br />I suppose you could always grow dwarf camellias in containers, is that perhaps what you have in mind? Over here we use bubble wrap and straw for tender plants in containers to keep them through frosty times during the winter. I would love to see a camellia in your garden :-)HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-83731691302933515562014-01-12T10:27:07.360+00:002014-01-12T10:27:07.360+00:00Hi Helene
Your garden looks very promising. I love...Hi Helene<br />Your garden looks very promising. I love the blue cups with the white dots... can't wait to see them in flower. It's really a strange winter but weather forecast told us yesterday, that colder temperatures will come soon... poor plants. I hope ice and snow won't damage them too badly, as we had it two years ago. After winter 2012, I lost many rambler roses.<br />Have a lovely sunday.<br />AlexAlex aus dem Gwundergartenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345838066384134549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-31139480887995405092014-01-12T04:26:12.121+00:002014-01-12T04:26:12.121+00:00I hadn't expected to see so much happening in ...I hadn't expected to see so much happening in a London garden at this time of year. I love those Iris-planted tea cups and the sight of all the bulbs poking their heads up. My own bulbs are getting ready to bloom as well but southern California is MUCH warmer - we're expected to be back up to 80F (27C) next week. It seems we're skipping winter entirely this year and sliding quickly toward summer.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-14035273927730566292014-01-12T02:50:02.622+00:002014-01-12T02:50:02.622+00:00you are going to love that Daphne! I'm not no...you are going to love that Daphne! I'm not normally a fan of scented plants but that one is delightful. Sweet but not overpowering.Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-26629684974883112612014-01-12T02:05:23.696+00:002014-01-12T02:05:23.696+00:00Your Clematis is incredible, Helene. It does, inde...Your Clematis is incredible, Helene. It does, indeed, look like the north-facing aspect is just fine for it! That Magnolia is going to be magnificent, and of course I will be envious of your Camellia, since we are too cold here to grow them (although I might have found an answer to how to do it here). So many spring bulbs emerging--that's wonderful! And Snowdrops blooming! Lucky you!Beth at PlantPostingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473637655960119672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-20637640680628677982014-01-11T17:58:49.833+00:002014-01-11T17:58:49.833+00:00Thanks Elaine, I have just finished an order for m...Thanks Elaine, I have just finished an order for more plants and bulbs for my garden – there are still room for more it seems!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-62658308734353285312014-01-11T17:58:39.028+00:002014-01-11T17:58:39.028+00:00Thanks Angie, I am hoping for a continued mild win...Thanks Angie, I am hoping for a continued mild winter – I think we are due one!<br />I know the C. armandii can grow to some 30 m if left to its own device, obviously not possible in my garden so eventually I will have to do some pruning, but I thought I would let it grow to the corner on the left and a bit up the soil pipe before I get the secateurs out. I have to buy another trellis this spring so it has something to grow on before reaching the pipe.<br /><br />I can remember pruning my clematises early before, I don’t think they mind as long as they don’t get very prolonged frost, in which case you just have to chop off anything black and start again. <br />I keep looking at the magnolia every time I go outside, wondering what it will look like in full flower and if I will be able to grow it in that container for years to come – I hope so!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-84237938388959671832014-01-10T19:51:13.773+00:002014-01-10T19:51:13.773+00:00It always amazes me just how many plants you manag...It always amazes me just how many plants you manage to get into your small garden - lovely to see things slowly moving towards spring.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-89854495798727995342014-01-10T17:21:45.839+00:002014-01-10T17:21:45.839+00:00Crikey Helene - your spring is almost here! Long ...Crikey Helene - your spring is almost here! Long may the mild weather continue for you. I noted your comments re your clematis - a few of mine are doing similar and have been very wary of giving them a little snip.<br />You must be so excited to see your Magnolia flowering for the first time - I always think that seeing a plant flowering in the garden for the first time makes it all the more special.<br />You should be able to keep the C. armandii under control through pruning I believe. How I wish it was hardy enough to grow here. They are beautiful.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14682908724307784154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-37267564101301788672014-01-10T16:16:48.448+00:002014-01-10T16:16:48.448+00:00I can’t wait to see the magnolia in flower for the...I can’t wait to see the magnolia in flower for the first time, I have wanted a magnolia for more than 10 years but thought my garden was too small for one – well it is a bit too small but I managed to get hold of a single stem magnolia and I am growing it in a container for now so as long as it is happy where it is I don’t mind how tall it becomes, I have plenty of space upwards!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-36569039993379988172014-01-10T16:14:17.046+00:002014-01-10T16:14:17.046+00:00The snowdrops are relatively newcomers to my garde...The snowdrops are relatively newcomers to my garden too, the first ones were planted as bulbs in autumn 2012 and the rest planted in the green last spring. I have 225 in total but that’s not many since they are so tiny – I could easily add another 500 to my garden without it becoming overcrowded. I think I will add some more this spring if I can afford it, some of the more unusual ones are very expensive and cost more per single snowdrop than 500 more common one cost! <br /><br />It is a few years since we have had frost free winters here in London, but some winters it just dips below freezing for a few days and then back to milder weather so it doesn’t really have much impact. The last 2-3 winters have been much colder though, with prolonged colder weather. We are due a mild winter!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-24769438724692868312014-01-10T11:08:38.112+00:002014-01-10T11:08:38.112+00:00My goodness, you do have a lot going on in your ga...My goodness, you do have a lot going on in your garden right now. There are so many signs of new plant life everywhere. That Clematis has done so very, very well. How wonderful. I can imaging how magnificent the Magnolia is going to look in bloom. Fingers crossed that the frost stays away for you.BernieHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04435004798656616711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-10720579121680737582014-01-10T02:56:41.290+00:002014-01-10T02:56:41.290+00:00I really did not realize that London had frost-fre...I really did not realize that London had frost-free winters sometimes! No wonder plants love it there so much. It is very cold here. Glad to see some of these signs of spring. I'm afraid it's a way off for us yet. I was especially thrilled to see pictures of your snowdrops. I planted a few - my first - last year. I'm hoping they come up and bloom. How fun to have spring blooms in January! HolleyGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14892421871044249940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-72781040642110948882014-01-09T18:24:53.821+00:002014-01-09T18:24:53.821+00:00It’s a long time until we are safe from frost, but...It’s a long time until we are safe from frost, but when February is over I will breathe easier! <br />Great to hear your freak weather is loosening its grip, enjoy the warmer sunny weather!HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-83565317927323833572014-01-09T18:15:35.914+00:002014-01-09T18:15:35.914+00:00Hi Donna, those teacups were a great find at 75% o...Hi Donna, those teacups were a great find at 75% off (that’s why I bought so many!) and I can’t wait to see them full of flowers. I hope your spring bulbs are happy tucked in under the layer of snow, great to hear your weather will improve soon. There seems to be some improvements over here too soon :-)HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265213687739263373.post-41844739245595014052014-01-09T18:06:56.596+00:002014-01-09T18:06:56.596+00:00The clematis is an impressive performer in your ga...The clematis is an impressive performer in your garden. I do hope all that tender new foliage will be safe in the weeks to come.<br /><br />We have had very cold and wet weather which will let up soon with a week or so of sunny days ahead. There have been some losses in the garden but mostly non-hardy plants which survived the previous mild winter much to my surprise. Shirley Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12734806779997587008noreply@blogger.com