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.
