Páraig likes dry cold weather. He also likes evergreen shrubs and inexpensive garden ornaments, but not Yellow Alerts.
Happy Christmas to one and all. I hope it will be everything you wish for.
Here on the SE Irish coast it was another mild December week with the added bonus of some rain by night. The cold front to the north of Scotland was firmly held back until Thursday, and then it let rip with a Yellow Wind Alert. Being honest, I don’t mind a cold snap. Rushing around crowded shops in mild weather is exhausting.
Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations, for hosting Six on Saturday. Pop over there to discover updates from participating writer-gardeners. In the meanwhile, here’s my six:
1. Crab Apple
Leaves are gone and the fruits are ripening. Blackbirds have been sampling, and they will return to feed at the right time.
2. Unknown
From my mam’s garden. Can anyone shed light on what it is? Nerine, I wonder?
3. Another Mystery
I’m going to hazard a guess that this might be Bachelor’s Buttons, known better as Feverfew and officially as Tannecetum. Even if I’m incorrect, the three names are correct for the plant I’m thinking of. I do love those skeletonised seedheads.
4. Conifer
Looking for evergreens, I took a shot of this conifer. About three metres in height, it is magnificent throughout the year, and especially now. Putting a trellis on the wall will happen in the spring.
5. Ornament
Garden ornaments are expensive, so I used this disused oil-boiler flue. I like it, despite the protestations of my good wife. I remind her that it’s my garden too. Recycle: repurpose items rather than dump.
6. Euonymus & Cotoneaster
Another evergreen, Euonymus ‘something-something’ pleases me also. The Cotoneaster ‘Queen of Carpets’ is hugging it beautifully. I’ve been able to get half a dozen rooted slips from it last year and more to come soon. It can run riot, but I’m thrilled to see it climbing the wall. The planned trellis will help keep it secure.
Summary
Clockwise from top left:
- Crab apple
- Nerine?
- Feverfew?
- Conifer
- Free onamental flue
- Euonymus
Pop over to Jim’s Site to discover more Six-on-Saturday updates. Until next time, I hope you get to enjoy some time in the garden.
P.
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Happy Christmas to you too Páraig.
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Nollaig Shona dhaoibh.
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The unknown flower ( #2) is the hesperantha , Paraig ! A lovely bunch of flowers ( mine has a different colour ). I wish you all the best with your new book and Happy Christmas for you and yours.
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Thank you, Fred. Nollaig Shona dhuit.
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I agree with Fred, your lovely pink flower is a hesperantha, used to be schizostylis. Have a fabulous fun filled Christmas, I have a feeling you will! xx
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I’m OK with pronunciation of hesperantha. In any case, thank you for expanding my vocabulary. I shall enrol for elocution & spelling lessons. 😜
I’m tasked with window cleaning. Thereafter, I will have a great Christmas. Any happy returns to you & yours, a chara.
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I’m glad Fred identified the flower for you as it’s described as “superbly perennial and long-flowering in full sun in almost any soil.” Now – that would suit my garden perfectly!
I’m on the Ayrshire coast, Páraig and it’s mild but wet and very windy after a good spell of cold, sunny frost days. That’s a disappointment as I love those cold days too. But one of my daughters lives in the NE of Scotland and she’s just messaged to say it’s snowing.
Merry Christmas to you and your good wife!
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Nollaig Shona front SE Ireland 🇮🇪 to Ayrshire and beyond. Let it snow! 🤔
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Lovely images! I like the boiler flue. I thought it was a covered bird feeder at first. Reusing is best. I bought several pair of wool mittens made locally out of donated wool sweaters. Maybe there is a stain somewhere, or a moth hole, or it shrunk and it gets donated. These ladies boil the sweaters and cut out mitten patterns from usable fabric, and make mittens, mixing and matching sweater patterns and colors for artistic effect. They sew in a fleece lining and add a decorative button on the cuff. The group makes them, sells them for $40 USD a pair and the entire proceeds goes to local food banks. I bought a pair for myself and several more to give as gifts. It seems a brilliant idea and the mittens are very warm and moisture resistant. Best purchase I made this year!
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Oh, wouldn’t I just love to see that picture!
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