I’m late with my post for Garden Bloggers Foliage Day, sorry Christina, but at this time of year, other things intrude!
I’ve been cutting foliage and preparing it over a couple of days and today saw the end result.
I started cutting a few branches of yew from the back garden.
Then some Choisya ternata from the corner.
Most people seem to hate Laurel, but it is so good for forming a background for other leaves, I wouldn’t be without it.
A few branches of a blue cedar like bush were cut to add to the bucket.
This bush of Euonymus Emerald Gaity needed trimming to tidy it, so a few long strands were removed.
Six leaves from Phormium Yellow Wave were cut to add to the collection.
A few branches of Senecio (I think this might have had a name change) were added to the bucket.
My foliage bucket was full to overflowing, I couldn’t get any more in it. The bucket was stood in the porch overnight so that they could have a good long drink. I did the arranging this morning and then it was off for a drive to the next town.
It didn’t take long to assemble the crib figures and place the foliage arrangement in front, all ready for Midnight Mass tonight. In case anyone is wondering, the three kings are waiting in the wings and get moved closer, the nearer we get to January 6th.
So there we are Christina, a bit late but I got there eventually! I wish you all and your families a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
Happy Christmas, Pauline! It has been a pleasure to share our interests this year.
Happy Christmas to you and your family Marian, I have so enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to more in the New Year.
Happy Christmas Pauline. I wondered what all the foliage was for. How lovely.
Happy Christmas to you Chloris and your family. Over the years, the crib at church seems to have become my domain, I’m just so glad that I have plenty of foliage to set it off.
How satisfying to be able to collect so much for the garden for decorations.
Merry Christmas
It is as well Helen, that I have plenty of foliage in the garden when called upon to decorate the crib at this time of year. I also provide the greenery for the Easter garden in a few months time, so at least my bushes get a good pruning twice a year!
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
What a lovely arrangement you have created from plants growing in your garden.
Happy Christmas and a Good New Year to you and yours Pauline.
Thank you Angie, Christmas wishes to you and your family too, I have enjoyed your posts through the year and look forward to many more!
Ahah – I thought you were having a blitz on delayed but necessary pruning at first!! Great result – and perhaps you could do something similar In a Vase on Monday sometime….. 😉 Best wishes to you and the undergardener
No, not really pruning, just cutting away anything that is sticking out!
The only time I cut flowers are when it is my turn on the flower rota at church, then I have to do a large pedestal arrangement, maybe one day I might show you my efforts!
Happy Christmas to you and the Golfer.
Your greenery makes the perfect finishing touch for a beautiful Nativity scene Pauline.
Wishing you and your husband a most Happy Christmas!
Thank you Anna, I feel the foliage is like a frame on a picture, not important in itself but playing a supporting role to the centre piece.
Wishing a Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Happy Christmas Pauline. Hope you can put your feet up now!
Yes Jessica, I can put my feet up now, our daughter is doing Christmas for us!! Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Beautiful Pauline, I knew you would join in if you possibly could. Have a wonderful Christmas and a great gardening year in 2015
I got there in the end Christina! Best Christmas wishes to you and your husband, I look forward to your posts next year.
Beautiful and very festive looking for tonight. Happy Christmas and a Joyous new year!
Thank you and Best Christmas wishes to you and your family Peter. I’m looking forward to your posts for 2015!
Your greenery looks perfectly placed Pauline. It’s nice to see where you collected each from. Hope you and your family enjoy a special holiday. Susie
Thanks Susie, it is nice being able to collect it from the garden. Our Daughter is doing the cooking this year, so our lunch should be very good indeed as she is a fabulous cook! Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you, Pauline, and all the best for the coming year to you and your family. I like the idea of the three kings waiting in the wings 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful time this Christmas with your family Helle. The kings will get nearer as the days go by, I should have taken their photo as they are rather lovely.
You have such a nice selection of greens to choose from, and it all comes together so nicely! I bet it will look as fresh on the 6th as when it was placed, and I love that the three kings work their way in.
Thanks for a great blog and all the best for 2015!
I hope the greenery will last Frank, it should with regular watering. The kings are still on their journey, getting closer all the time! Wishing you a wonderful gardening year in 2015!
I wondered what you were gathering it all for! I thought foliage for a wreath or maybe indoor vase but the finished project is absolutely beautiful. So lovely to be able to put your feet up – I’m looking forward to the day when my son cooks Christmas Day for me!! Happy Christmas! Caro x
Christmas was wonderful Caro, I just had to provide my special stuffing! Now that our son is also married, I just have to cook Christmas dinner once every 3 years, after all, I have done it for 40 odd years, I think I deserve a rest! Glad you like the foliage decoration for the crib. Wishing you all the best for 2015.
The foliage around the nativity is wonderful! Truly a special arrangement. Pauline, I have so enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to your posts in the coming year. I wish you the best and happy gardening in 2015!
Thank you so much Deb, it’s lucky that I planted so many evergreen shrubs when making the garden! I love reading about your garden, I think we like the same sort of plants, looking forward to your posts in 2015. Happy New Year!