GARDEN COLOUR IN NOVEMBER 2012

Well, I might have to go looking a bit harder for it but there's still colour in the garden when I have a sit in the Arbour with a mug of tea and the cats.





























I'm hoping there will be some left in December

 

The red berried plant is a small Berberis that is around 20 years old and is less than 3' high, Jenny. I built my Trellised Entrance right against it and it hasn't bothered it. Plus it gives me those lip stick red berries from September onwards. The name of the variety is lost in the mist of time, I'm afraid. The Borage is a self seeded plant and I do love the colour of it and it turns up every year in different places in the borders.
You're right, Sheal, the thorns on the Berberis are lethal and I've caught myself a couple of times, , but this year I pruned off a couple of branches that were sticking out into the garden path and so far............. Trees??, actually don't make up a great percentage of my garden, Sheal, I've got an Acer Brilliantissismum, two free standing Conifers [Cupressa "Goldcrest" and Chamaecyparis "Boulevard" planted a long time ago which I trim every year to keep around a manageable 12' high. Most of the perimeter borders have shrubs in them, including a Lilac "Madame Lemoine" of tree like proportions. The shrubs number around the 85 mark as I think shrubs give more interest than trees.
The Buddleia is "Globosa", longk, which was a "liberated" cutting that my wife took from a garden and it's grown to what it is now. It lasts much longer than the long spike flowered Buddleia, which have finished, as you can see and the Bees like it just as much.
The red flower, Clueless, is Schizostylis Coccinea. I've got two of them one down by the Arbour on the main walk around border and the one that's pictured on the first border of the garden. It's also known as the Kaffir Lily, and I must admit it's one of my favourites. It's very easy to grow and the flowers seem to last months and months.
I just thought I'd post some colour that's in the garden now so that it might drive some of the grey clouds and cold away for awhile.

 

Spot on, Kristen, it is Ilex aquifolium Ferox Argea, otherwise known as the "Hedgehog Holly". I love the spikey curved leaves and this particular plant has been in the ground, in a large container, and back in the ground again.....so it's had to put up a lot and still looks good. Another thing I like about it is that even though it's around the 20 year old mark it hasn't become tall or spread out, it's a nice plant which you don't often see in peoples garden.

 

Hi Jenny, well, Sally [the one with one eye] definitely prefers to either be on her cushion, or flat out in front of the fire, with the occasional sortie out into the garden just for some fresh air. Jenny, on the other hand is out in the garden most of the day and, if she can persuade me, in the evening until around 10.pm