Having spent a few days in Bristol over Christmas, I am now back home once more and able to look round half the garden to see what is now in flower. The half that I can’t walk round is flooded once more, thanks to the storm on Wednesday and lots of other outbursts, one day it will dry out. Thankfully I found my six very quickly as it was just starting to rain once more!
No 1
The buds on the Chaenomeles hedge by the back door, are now opening and looking very pretty.
No 2
The Camellia by the driveway is now flowering, although it has opened up into a rather strange shape! It is a lovely Camellia though, white with pink edges to the petals.
No 3
Galanthus Mrs. MacNamara is looking even better by the front door, a week has made such a difference.
No 4
Iris uligiosa Walter Butt is carrying on flowering, the flowers only last a few days but as so many open up, they are worth it.
No 5
Mahonia Chrity, by the dead oak, has been flowering for some time now and looks as though it can carry on for a lot longer.
No 6
Iris reticulata Pauline, on the scree, has had some flowers out while I was away but the slugs and snails got them, so I will have to make do with the two buds that they haven’t discovered yet! Hopefully these will open unblemished!
There we have my six for this week and to finish off the year! There are lots of buds showing promise in the garden, so lots more colour to look forward to in the weeks to come. I was raking leaves in the woodland yesterday and so many bulbs are showing their snouts, it won’t be long before snowdrop season is in full swing!
To see what other gardeners are up to around the world, do pay a visit to Jim our organiser at Garden Ruminations. Happy New Year to you all and wishing you all the Best for 2024!
Lovely to see so much colour in your garden, it makes me realise how much I’m missing. Definitely time for a visit to a garden centre!
There are lots of lovely plants that flower at this time of year Helen, if you have room for them. Good idea to have a New Year visit to see what you can find.
Oh my! What a wonderful set of photos. My quince and camelia have yet to bloom. My iris still looks dormant. I will be watching them more closely now.
Thanks Topdock, glad you like them.The camellia is an early variety and always flowers at around this time of year, my others flower later. The quince hedge flowers now because it is cut as a hedge, if left, it flowers in the spring, or so I have read!
Oh what a tempting selection. Nature doesn’t wait long to show us her colours. Happy New Year.
My garden never seems to stop Rosie, there are times when I wish it would let me have a rest! Best wishes for 2024!
Great to see so much colour – the Chaenomeles hedge looks like it will be a show. Did you buy the Iris based on the name?! All the best for 2024.
I have to admit that I did buy the iris because of its name Graeme, couldn’t resist it when I saw it for sale, and it is rather a nice one too!
I love a flowering quince, a real winter treat and great for cut flowers! 😘🌸⚘ I planted an appleblossom one earlier this year, hopefully it survived the dry weather. Pretty iris and Camellia. Happy New Year love! 🎊
I have C Apple Blossom too Sarah, planted up at the top of the garden but that is more of a loose shaped shrub, so flowers about April time. All the best for 2024.
Does the iris Pauline really exist or did you give it that name? Perhaps you chose it or it was offered to you precisely for that? This week, I can only admire the very pretty Chaenomeles flowers… I wish you a very Happy New Year.
Yes Fred, Iris reticulata Pauline really does exist and I did buy it myself! I hate to say it but it is quite common over here but it is rather nice, a deep purple colour with a white streak down the centre of the petal, I will post another photo when it opens and you will be able to see it properly. Glad you like the Chaenomeles. A very happy New Year to you too Fred.
What a great set of photos for the end of the year! The Chaenomeles is a clear winner for me – such lovely blooms. I love the snowdrops (I’m a fan) and your gorgeous Iris.
Best Wishes for a Happy New Year, Pauline!
Thanks Catherine, glad you like the Chaenomeles, it carries on flowering through until April usually, so I have it for a long time outside my back door. All best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2024!
A lovely selection for the end of December Pauline. The two-tone camelia is very pretty, looks like it’s ready to fly. Wishing you a healthy, happy and peaceful 2024!
Thanks Denise, the Camellia does look as though it is flying into 2024 doesn’t it! All the best New Year wishes to you too!
I adore your irises, Pauline. Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful gardening year with good health and happiness.
Thanks Susie, they do make a nice splash of colour at this time of year. Wishing you a Happy New Year with lots more butterflies!
Goodness, what a delightful selection in the middle of winter! I have to admit to a little envy!xxx
Thank you Dina, I do enjoy having something pretty to look at in the dark days of winter!x