The January Garden – let’s take a walk
I don’t usually show many general views of the garden for some reason. I have now had a rethink. General views provide a context for all the plants that may eventually feature in glorious macro (or shaky closeup) later on. It will also remind me how the garden borders change over the seasons. Unfortunately the pictures will also highlight the mistakes that were made as the garden evolved. I’ll try to think of it as an opportunity to gather evidence for future improvements! Come with me if you have time. It is rather a long post so don’t walk too fast.
The back garden, like so many in the UK is in the shape of a long rectangle. We step out of the drive which runs along the side of the house and see the small border in front of the conservatory. This is mainly a spring garden with Snowdrops, Cyclamen, Crocus and Ipheions. Later interest is provided by Sisyrinchiums, Nerines and two hardy Geraniums. The bricks are supports for some pots which stand here during the summer. The plants on the right will need dividing as they are getting too big. They look like they need a haircut while the left side looks bald!
Conservatory border (January 2009)
Now we turn round and look down the garden. It is hard to ignore the concrete garage but we will do our best! Behind it lies the greenhouse. There is a small water feature near some Phormiums and beyond them the Olive tree with twirly decorations. It has olives on it but sadly they are too tiny to use. You can also see my Canna covered with straw and bubble wrap.
Here is a more general view of the top half of the garden. There are Hellebores and Phormiums in the foreground. Beyond, under my bird feeders, is a gravel covered garden which never dries out. It was originally meant to be a dry Mediterranean garden….Doh! (perhaps we’ll leave that story for another day). Plants in the gravel include Daphne, Libertia, Sanguisorba, Erythronia, Ranunculus and various grasses. The visiting squirrels think the gravel covers a hoard of acorns so continue to dig holes in the hope of finding hidden treasure!
Top of the garden (January 2009)
A Ginko Biloba tree grows in a small raised bed in the Gravel garden. The Ginko has to be heavily pruned as it is too near to the house but I would hate to cut it down as it has such lovely foliage. Self seeding Morning Glory climbs it in summer. Assorted pots congregate here over the winter but will be moved later.
Raised bed in the Gravel garden (January 2009)
Her is my Tree Fern wearing its winter scarf. A trellis divides the garden into two sections and is bare at the moment but an Akebia and a climbing Rose cover it later. I am wondering whether to cut a doorway in this part of the trellis so I can see the rest of the garden in summer. Unfortunately that would put the the rotary washing line, on the other side of the trellis, directly in my line of sight. Should I leave well alone? Do I actually need a washing line? Are disposable clothes the answer? ……See what happens when you overthink.
This is also my bird feeding area.
Trellis and Bird Feeders (January 2009)
Next we turn left, go past the greenhouse, then right again to go through the arch in the trellis into the bottom of the garden. Again various pots are gathered together over the winter.
The side of the greenhouse (January 2009)
On the other side of the trellis is the old tin bath which I think I might use to grow wild flowers in this year. It has looked reproachfully at me all year while I have considered various ideas.
Far Trellis border (January 2009)
Then there is the pond. It was a mistake to pave all around it so I’m considering lifting the stones at the back to blend the edge in with the border. The upturned pot covers a Zauschneria. There are frogs but no fish in the pond. Cats are good at fishing.
The Pond (January 2009)
To the left of the pond is a rectangular raised bed, mostly for Sempervivums and small hardy Geraniums. There is also the handy garden seat with the wildlife hotel underneath.
Raised bed (January 2009)
To the left and adjoining the Raised bed is the Rock garden. There are spring bulbs, dwarf hardy Geraniums, a tiny Daphne, Corydalis, Saxifrage and Dodecathons etc. Both this and the raised bed are very free draining.
Rock garden (January 2009)
The bottom border has quite a few Grasses and Ferns as well as a Ceanothus ‘Blue Mound’ and also Rosa ‘Ghislaine de Feligonde’ next to the seat. I’m just beginning to get interested in Ferns and some of them do surprisingly well in my light, dry soil.
Ferns in the Bottom border (January 2009)
Finally we see the Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis) which sits below the Eucalyptus tree and has shown no damage from the -8 C temperatures we have suffered. Hurrah!
Canary Palm in Bottom border (January 2009)
Here is my Agave wrapped up for the winter. The bright green foliage in the foreground is an Epimedium and the rather attractive chocolate coloured leaves belong to a dead Crocosmia. Our smallest allotment is through the garden gate, inside the chain link fence. Beyond the fence is woodland, home to Baby Hooligan and his family of fiendish, furry squirrels (lol).
Agave wrapped up for the winter (January 2009)
[I've just added the last photo to my original post. Somehow I managed to miss it out ].
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Thanks for coming.
20 comments
Thanks for the walk through your garden. It’s good to see that you have an olive tree! Even in winter, you have so many different colours and shapes of leaves. I’m looking forward to another walk in the spring.
Yes, I did enjoy it, a lot actually. The average Britsh backgarden looks very much like the average Dutch backgarden. ;-) There is a lot to see in your garden which is amazing considering it’s January. I have an olive tree too but it’s in my conservatory at the mo as we had temperatures of minus 10 C last week. Like you I have a great love of ferns and am growing more and more of them. I have some in my bathroom too and they thrive there. I love that garden seat of yours, it’s a pity it’s too cold to sit there right now.
Thanks for a lovely walk, I’d love to do it again in Spring.
I really enjoyed this tour of your garden – hadn’t realised until recently precisely how nosy I am!
Lucy
Hi again :-) Oh yes… I enjoyed the tour too. We all pick up different things. I liked seeing all your paths and which direction they went and the different plants and structures along them. Oh… I’d love to see you put a window in your trellis. Could you not get creative about the washing line ;-)
I enjoyed seeing your bird feeding area but it was your tree fern in the background that caught my eye. The scarf… you have me very curious. I had one once (tree fern not scarf) and over wintered it with hay in the top of the crown and gave it a full blown hat come tent ;-) Clearly the scarf works – what’s underneath it?
Thank-you, it has been a treat to see your garden at this time of year. Now, you have the challenge of taking the same views for the next time – looking forward to it :-D
Washing lines are one of the greatest garden chalenges.
When the washing is hanging and the wind is blowing, they are also one of its most uplifting, joyful and heartwarming pleasures!
Esther
Lovely walk through your garden Easygardener, does this mean you are coming out of hibernation?
You have some lovely textures, especially in your picture of the Top of the Garden and the Libertia, shows a wonderful splash of colour in the gravel area.
As for the washing line – well I would go with the disposable clothes, I am still searching for the right place for mine.
PS, having just walked around my own – I have to say, yours is looking good for this time of year – especially for form and texture.
K
Thanks for sharing the winter garden views with us. And you’re right, it’s hard to remember to take photos of the garden year-round. We only want to show it at its best. But I was just think the other day that I wish I had more “before” pics. The same could be true for seasonal photos. It makes us appreciate that momentary flitter of loveliness all the more when it arrives, doesn’t it?
And to be honest, I think your garden looks pretty good even now!
I greatly enjoyed the tour around your garden. Taking the walk in winter makes it easier to see how all of the sections fit together. The Helleborus garden looks so shiny and green in January.
It is nice of you to provide the little gravel playground for the squirrels too. So many squirrel enthusiasts neglect to meet all of the squirrel’s needs, including for frolicsome fun.
You have so much greenery still in your far trellis border. I like the stone pedestal as a focal point. The old tin bath would look nice with wildflowers, or specialty water plants too. The fern section looks great.
The rustic bench blends well in the back border. Your hardy canary palm is a good sport, hope it doesn’t get tested too hard for the rest of this winter.
Your yard looks so green and interesting for January, with lovely gardens.
It was nice to have a walk through your wintry garden, I didn’t need a jacket and boots. You have many different plants and it must look a treat when all the plants are growing again in spring. A door to go or look through into another part of the garden looks good. I think the old tin bath leaning there looks good. I think it doesn’t need to have a particular purpose.
What a pleasure it has been having a walk round your garden on a winter’s day. There is so much colour and interest there. The libertia is like a little glowing fire and must brighten up even the dreariest day. I have eyed phormiums in the garden centres before and have been almost tempted, now I definitely am. Thanks so much for sharing :)
Hello easygardener and thank you, I really enjoyed that. You have so many interesting pots, plants and ornamental features. There is so much colour even when there are no flowers, just amazing.
xoxo Tyra
Thank you for the delightful garden tour!
Hi EG, what a lot of plantings you have packed in tight as sardines! Good job! But I was worried when I saw you had coverd the zaus. with a pot. I have a new tiny one from a mail order nursery here, it looks awful, and we have had single digit F temps recently. Are you covering it against the cold? Wet? Anyway, what an excellent record you have made of the garden in winter and what is where. I vote for the doorway in the trellis too. So what if you can see the clothes hanging, do you leave them there all the time? If so, arrange them artistically! :-)
Frances
You have quite a lot of winter interest going on in January, nicely done. I always like the big picture garden photography. It always gives me ideas about something or other I want to change or add, and it’s so much fun to compare the garden from year to year as it changes.
Even in January there is lots of color from foliage in your garden. I like the pond, which makes me long for one in my backyard. Sounds like you’ve had some really cold weather lately but the plants are soldiering through it. :) Thanks for the tour of your winter garden.
Took a leisurely stroll around your garden…thank you Easygardener. I’m surprised to know that the Canary Palm can withstand that kind of cold! Tough girl, and that goes for so many of your other plants too! I can imagine how beautiful your garden will look when winter finally gets over.
I’m glad to visit your garden and you are feeling more like your cheerful self again. I imagine that playing with your plants was good therapy for you and the plants. They look very happy.
Regards,
Kelly
I can see how easy it can be to get attached to the ginkgo. I have room for a small tree, and the ginkgo is on the short list. I worry, though, because what I have available locally is either the typical huge kind, or a dwarf version that is supposed to attain six feet in ten years. I’m patient, but not that patient! Enjoy yours when it leafs out…
Fancy only just finding your blog, shock! I too have anumber of supposedly ‘Hardy Tropicals’ although you will see in my post a few days ago I may have lost more than a couple.
I am really surprised that your Phoenix canariensis has come through. I lost mine in the first year!
Shall visit again!!!!
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