End of the month view – November 2012
At last, after days of continuous rain the sun has come out. This morning, on the last day of November, it is -3C but that is a small price to pay for brighter weather. I must confess that I spend most of my time viewing the garden through the conservatory window. I might as well admit to myself that “real gardening” is over for the year.
I do visit the greenhouse to check on the tender plants. This involves shuffling in sideways as there is not much spare space.
Greenhouse
Outside I have wrapped up the base of the obelisk holding my Passion flower and Campsis vine. I used garden fleece and stuffed it with straw. A cap of plastic bubble wrap will keep most of the heavy rain off. I suspect the Passion flower is “Blue Haze”, not as hardy as caerulea so I am giving it a chance to become more established. The Campsis is newly planted this year too. Who knows what kind of winter we will have but I am playing it safe.
Plant protection
My tender Pineapple Sage seems oblivious to the fact that December is about to arrive. It is four feet tall and about to flower – talk about being in denial. I have taken cuttings as it is highly unlikely the plant will survive the winter.
Salvia elegans
I have moved my pots of Sempervivums up against the wall of the house or under a shelf on the side of the garage where they will be sheltered from the rain over winter.
Sempervivum ‘Blood Tip’
At this time of year foliage comes into its own and I notice plants that tend to fade into the background when the borders are full of colour. My Helichrysum italicum is a beautiful shade of pale grey and when the foliage is crushed there is adistinct fragrance of curry – no wonder it is called the Curry Plant.
Curry plant
Now the perennials have died back the rigid branches of Teucrium fruticans can be seen. I find the shape very attractive and the white stems contrast well with the neat, shiny, dark green leaves.
Teucrium fruticans
There are few flowers now but among them are Rudbeckia and some Geranium robertianum.
Rudbeckia
Geranium robertianum
I wonder if there will be any flowers by the end of December?
Please visit the Patient Gardener to see more end of the month views.
6 comments
I’m liking the more seasonal weather. Do you heat your greenhouse or insulate it at all? I’m just wondering whether I should. I’ve got a tender lemon verbena in mine and I’m not sure whether it will be warm enough in there. Might wrap it in some fleece for added protection.
You are right the structure and foliage of plants really do sing out in the winter when they are competing with the flowers.
My greenhouse isn’t quite as full as yours but once the seed sowing starts it will be a complete nightmare to get into
Thanks for joining in again this month
I also have all my tender plants in my greenhouse. I have insulated it and I have to heat it as well. The temperature can be as low as -30C here, but now it’s only -3C.
Have a nice weekend!
Christina
I think that I’ve spent more time indoors than out too EG. Love the curry plant despite those vivid yellow flowers which I’m not fond of. I grow it at the allotment and love it when people ask where the smell of curry is coming from :) I like the shape of the teucrium. Does the pineapple sage usually flower so late or is down to the lack of sunshine we’ve had this year?
you seem to be very well orgaised EG, I love the shape of your teucrium not heard of this plant before, thanks for visiting my blog, Frances
I always love to see that splash of colour from Rudbeckia still out at this time of year. Mine finished early this year though – I think it needs dividing.
I am debating whether to put a fleece jacket over my newly planted Choisya – it’s right at the front of the front garden so will look a little odd. Perhaps if it gets as cold as last year …
Leave a Comment