Melancholic Charms

View Looking Towards  St Johns

 This might not be the busiest or prettiest time of the year in the garden but it certainly has a peculiar melancholic charm. Cold temperatures, rain showers and high winds have conspired to reduce our time outside, consequently, when I do make a foray up the garden it is all the more pleasing. The prospect of cold wet paws means that I am more often than not on my own but it is quite hard to explain to Hecate and Mili just what they are missing.

Snowdrops

Of course, there are those tough little plants that are already making a good showing. We currently have a bonny display of winter aconites under the weeping copper beech tree at the front and of course there is the annual snowdrop display, now approaching its best, which stretches from the curb side up to the front door. This is the first year that the aconites have really done anything other than just sprout leaves. I hope this will now be a regular annual showing as we have been patiently waiting for 3 years! Consequently, I think they deserve the plant of the month award.

Winter Aconites

Sadly there is always the need to patrol for winter damage. The wind has blown down several fence panels and the badgers are still digging up the lawns. Top tip: keep on top of the maintenance work while you can, the busy spring months will soon be upon us. This might not be a labour saving tip but it is a sensible way to spread the efforts across the calendar year. So as tempting as it might be to find some indoor jobs, wrap up and get outside.

Badger Scrapings