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And so into a new year...

6/1/2017

3 Comments

 
First of all: A Happy 2017 to all of you! After 2016, which I'd euphemistically call "interesting", I do hope that this year turns out to be less of a car crash than a pessimist might fear it to become. But even if the world at large seems going to the dogs, at least on an individual level I wish we can all enjoy a peace- and joyful year. May you savour many special moments full of joie de vivre and build many happy memories!

It's been longer since my last post than I intended to. Indeed, I had written a post, moaning about how indoor plants seem to go badly with traditional Christmas decoration. But just as I was finishing it, news broke about the terror attack on the Christmas market in Berlin, Germany. I couldn't bring myself to post what I had written. Any attack is horrific and disgusting, of course. But if it hits your hometown, it feels  a little closer to the bone still...

Anyway, this is going to be a short post, too, as half the family is still down with a nasty stomach bug we have had for the past few days. I'm manning the fort - but have little time for anything else.
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Over the Christmas break we enjoyed some fine days, with splendid sunshine and sparkling blue sky. So despite my default mode of turning into a sloth for that precious week between Christmas Eve and New Year, I went out in the garden and managed what I didn't do all autumn: tidy up.

Stalks of phlox and michelmas daisies - soddenly keeling over, looking decidedly drunk - half-rotten flowers and old leaves, etc. etc. were all gathered into a big bag. I was careful to move any critters hiding within as well and left the bag standing open, in case some others wanted to move in as well.

As we haven't had any real frost yet - at least not in my garden - last years ornamental sages (Salvia species) are still in bloom, as are some chrysanthemums, pelargoniums and fuchias. Their vivid colours of pillarbox red, deep blue and magenta or rose pink make an odd mixture with the white cyclamen, lilac pansies and hellebores. This year, the latter (forms of Helleborus niger) were Christmas roses indeed, flowering their little heads off on the special day already. Most years, they bloomed later for me. I know I should cut some to take inside and appreciate at close quaters, for only then will I enjoy them in all their beauty and detail. But somehow I didn't have the heart to do so.
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A special joy these past weeks has been the song of the Red Robin. Early morning, when it's still dark outside and whilst half-asleep, I'd hear him singing outside our window. And sometimes during the day, he would quietly, dreamily chirp, as if talking to himself. I love it! And it always makes my day when I'm in the garden and he isn't at all shy but comes close, curiously eyeing me and what I do.

I still need to prune the roses and cut back the encroaching tentacles of the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). But this can be done later this month or even in February, if need be. However, I really should have planted the tulip bulbs by now! Alas, the lure of the sofa (and the gingerbread!) proved too strong for me. I feel a New Year's resolution coming on...
3 Comments
Brian Skeys link
20/1/2017 17:44:51

It is always a pleasure to see a robin in the garden. I have just found your blog, I hope you have now planted your tulips. Wishing you a peaceful 2017

Reply
Stefanie
20/1/2017 20:45:21

Hi Brian, welcome and thank you for your comment and good wishes!
To be honest, I haven't planted them yet: first a deluge which turned the ground into a swamp and now frost have provided a good excuse... But I'll get there. And luckily tulips are very forgiving on that front. :-)

Reply
Melissa Byers
17/2/2017 07:38:15

Ah! Stefanie! I enjoyed your blog :) I could almost hear you saying it! As for the American lady all trees in Victoria Park are protected to a certain degree because they are in a conservation area. I know because we had to get permission to cut a eucalyptus down which was very tall! We replaced it now as you know with a blossom tree :) Here is the link to the council website which you can paste into your browser https://www.hackney.gov.uk/tree-preservation. Now I shall email you separately regarding all things non garden based!

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    About the Author,
    Stefanie


    Born and raised in East Berlin, Germany. Has moved a few miles west since, to East London. Gardening since childhood, though first attempts were in what should properly be described a sandpit (yes, Brandenburg’s soil is that poor). After 15 years of indoor-only gardening has upgraded via a small roof terrace to a patio plot crammed with pots. Keeps dreaming about a big garden, possibly with a bit of woodland, a traditional orchard and a walled garden plus a greenhouse or two. Unlikely to happen in this lifetime - but hey, you can always dream.



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