The weather has grown cold, but my winter tidy up is complete; it was finished right before the cold snap, to my great relief!
Shrubs were moved, perennials divided and given new homes, grasses were released from clumps to make way for new spring growth, and the last of my bulbs (Allium and miniature Daffodils) were planted where my Lavatera once lived. Lavatera has sadly gone to plant Heaven. Her limbs were degenerating and breaking off…
I have produced a little slideshow in her memory:
I shall plant a climbing Rose where she once grew, in the hope that the bees will approve.
Meanwhile, the front garden is looking decidedly better. A strong man removed three Rock Roses that were rather overgrown, and they have been adopted in a new home.
You can see the before photograph below:
And the same spot, post transformation:
A HUGE improvement.
The back garden has a few solitary blooms amidst “the forty shades of green.”
I am always amazed at the hardiness of such delicate petals.
The view across the back garden now looks like this:
I will allow the remaining leaves to die back well into spring, to provide shelter for mini-beasts. A log pile lies hidden in a corner for added accomodation.
Meanwhile, I am feeding some VERY hungry birds. They are eating THREE TIMES faster than last year!
Did the Robins tell everyone there was a party at Brigid’s place??
I will leave you with a little video taken last winter:
Lavatera has a starring role in the background.
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Beautiful post 🙂
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Thank you Irene. I thought I would have very little to write but it just flowed. 🌼
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🙂
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So good to see your gardening skills in pictures Brigid, complementing what I have just been reading about!
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Thank you. I could not have survived without my garden. It is the ultimate therapy. 🌼
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You are right Brigid; gardening is fantastic therapy. I used to spend many hours doing it, and, it was worth the sore muscles as I could always see positive results in my hours. Unlike the orchard work! Now time for some winter cosiness for you and thinking of what you can do in spring. I loved the photos of the bees and flowers.
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It sure is Suzanne. I am glad for some rest. I am shutting down my blog and social media for 3 weeks over Christmas.
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Enjoy your Christmas timeout Brigid. We rely on the internet to connect with family and friends downunder, so not an option for us.
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I love rock roses and lavatera too. I’m glad they like their new spots Brigid.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Me too David. I would not have moved them if they had not a good new home. They are my babies. X
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Hard work and creative spirit – what an intoxicating mix that ever shows the power of it’s combined energy in your garden! Just beautiful xx
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Thank you Osyth. There is still lots growing despite the weather and the birds seem to have bottomless tummies… xx
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Fantastic presentation of wonderful flowers, Brigid.
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Thank you Kamal. I would not thrive without my flowers 🌼
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Welcome Brigid and yes of course they are beauty at their best.
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this is beautiful and elegance post, even more the musical clip made more joy…
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Thank you Mihran. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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Such a sweet way of introducing one’s plants. May your lavatera continue spreading joy to the beings in heaven.
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Thank you. I hope so too.
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Loved the slideshow tour of your lavatera. So pretty. A climbing rose will be lovely, also.
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Thank you Deborah. Unfortunately Lavatera only have a short life. 🌼
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Wow. Wish I had a third of your skill! ~Kim
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Thank you Kim. Gardening is my therapy 😊
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Lovely garden! Our is covered with ice and a little snow. I haven’t seen the Robin for a while. It used to move south during winter but with the milder climate it sometimes stay
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Thank you. I think your robins are here. 😊 I have a lot in the garden this year.
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Your garden is so beautiful. I love the robins though! And the little video of the birds. That’s my favourite. 🙂 xxx
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Thank you Heather and Dizzy. I love the robins too. They always stay by me when I am gardening, waiting for worms 😊 The birds are dancing on the feeder today with the wind. XX
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Such a lovely garden, Brigid!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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Thank you Jodie. 😊
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Brigid this is lovely. It is amazing how verdant and full of colour the garden is in November. A time when years ago everything would be dying back. Every year the down time of the garden seems to get shorter, which is great isn’t it. You truly have a beautiful garden and a sanctuary. Love Px
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Thank you Paul. Yes there is still plenty of growth in December. The bulbs are peeking through which always fills me with joy. A lot of the perennials still have leaves. X
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Have a nice Christmas break, Brigid. Your garden is lovely. The photos with the bees were stunning. I hope you can keep the birds from becoming obese – LOL. XO
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Thank you Molly. I shall do my best. Bird Weightwatchers group starts in January. 😉 Will get over to your post soon. Internet was awful yesterday.
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Love your idea about Bird WW! 😆
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❤️ Garden…
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Thank you. 🌼
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Beautiful secret garden.
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Thank you. 😊
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I can feel your love and caring for your garden. Beautiful post.
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Thank you Masha. I would be lost without my garden. 🌼
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I love your garden posts!!! 😉
Thank you, it’s a christmas gift to your bloggers (me at least) – enjoy your social media hiatus.
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Thank you Laura. I love doing the garden posts. Happy Christmas. 🌼
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Buon’ Natale, amica!
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Brigid, this is a lovely post – I love your garden, it looks beautiful and your passion for garden and nature shines through. The Lavatera was stunning and must be hard to lose. Time to sit back, let the robins party before Spring next year when it all starts again! Happy weekend to you! ❤️
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Happy weekend Annika. The birds are all munching away as I write. I bought extra rations this week but I fear it won’t last. 😉
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You really do work wonders in your garden, Brigid. You have green fingers.
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Thank you Robbie. It is my therapy. 🌼
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Well if you’ve finished in your wonderful garden for the winter, pop over and do mine please. I’m nowhere near finished! Lavatera are lovely plants but the downside is that they grow big and have big roots and seem to keel over just as they reach their flowering peak. They’re a real pain to dig out. I now grow a smaller container variety (Barnsley Baby which is white with a pinkish centre) which will reach about a metre tall but, when it gives up the ghost, can simply be tipped out and replaced without so much work.
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I have hung up my gardening boots for winter! Thankfully a strong man got the roots out but I will follow your tip next time I buy a Lavatera. 🌼🌼🌼
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What a beautiful garden! You have a series of three photos with blooms–I love the lavender one in the middle with the star-shaped flowers. What is that called? It’s so pretty! I wish I had a green thumb–my daughter has it, my mother most definitely has it–but plant life seems to dislike me. 😦 What a peaceful haven.
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Thank you. The flower is called Brodiaea and it grown from a bulb. It has a long growing season and is indeed very pretty.
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Lovely garden! The birds are hungry now, aren’t they? I’ve used up a whole sack of peanuts in a very short time.
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Thank you Stevie. Yes, I wonder why they are eating so much this winter?
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We all eat more in the cold weather I think?
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Yes, but hope not too much this Christmas…
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Yea for sure.
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I am so happy to see your plants…mine has been on a rehabilitation stage still after the heavy rain.and flash flood few months ago..and now my sunflower garder which is in need of basically sun is slowly dying because it haa been raining again here…
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Oh dear. I remember you telling me about the flooding. That is such a great pity.
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Those Robins have such big mouths! Well, enjoy the songs.
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Yes. They are so fun to watch. It makes washing dishes a joy!
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Beautiful flowers 🌸🌼
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Thank you. Happy New Year.
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You still have blooms Brigid! You are such a gardener. Do you get snow?? Can you keep the garden going all year? Fun to see you photos!! xox
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This is so pretty! Lovely garden Brigid!
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Thank you. I will post a year of photographs of my garden soon. 😊
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