For a while now, not a lot has been changing from one weekend to the next, at least where the garden is concerned. We have a couple of three frosty nights coming up, so that might be about to change, followed by a dry week.
One.
The only frost we’ve had here was on the 2nd of December. It saw off a few things and damaged some others. The survivors have had a few more weeks to harden up, I’m curious to see whether it counts for anything. This Plectranthus zuluensis is just too big to move in, it lost the top six inches last time but has rallied a bit. I wonder how it will look on Monday.
Two.
Cyclamen repandum. I was given some very small corms three years back which produced a few leaves and two or three flowers last year. They’re coming up now and looking like they’ve taken off this year, though no flowers yet. I sowed seed on August 1st, a few of which germinated quickly, then nothing until now; quite a lot now emerging. One pot is very mossy and will need to be cleaned up before they try to grow through it next winter.
Three.
Camellia ‘Minato-no-akebono’. The true autumn/winter camellias are about finished, we’re on to the varieties that take it into spring. This is a Japanese raised japonica x lutchuensis hybrid, very early and beautifully scented. It’s almost my favourite.
Four.
Because the world is not fair and “unto every one that hath shall be given”, this monumental tome landed heavily on my doormat this week, very generously gifted by a lady with even less need of it than I have. I retired from nursery work five years ago. There is a section on grafting camellias, which hopefully I shall turn to good effect at some point. I thought of you Mr Prop, if you ever give up the day job it’s yours.
Five.
Iris reticulata ‘Some’at or other’. I have no recollection of planting this, which is not saying a lot. It produced one flower last year which didn’t get its moment in the spotlight. This year there were two fat buds followed by this moth eaten thing and the other one which was eaten through before it even opened. I shall go out after dark to try and find the culprit. Pointless, self destructive revenge being my only motive.
Six.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’. One of the garden’s framework plants and apt to be overlooked when I go looking for six things a laying (down) on a Saturday. So much going for it, coloured stems, evergreen foliage, graceful habit, grows to about 5m quite quickly, but then no taller.
They changed the weather forecast between the morning and evening yesterday, so I was out in the dark moving things in and setting up heaters yesterday evening. I’ve woken to frost but it’s not excessively cold; I can tell by how much the Euphorbia mellifera is hanging, and it’s not, so around freezing I would say. I haven’t ventured out to survey the damage. Mild and wet or cold and dry, it’s not the choice I want really.
Here’s the link to the other links, you never know when you might need one.
garden ruminations 
‘Tome’? I was not aware anyone still used that word. It is supposed to be the origin of my name, supposedly because my ancestors bound books.
Anyway, what is plectranthus grown for? Is it just a foliage plant? I do not believe I am familiar with that species. It does not sound familiar. I do not remember the name of the plectranthus that is such a problem down on the coast. It is pretty, but aggressive.
LikeLike
I wouldn’t say I use the word ‘Tome’ a lot, but certainly occasionally. Plectranthus are mainly quite nice but not exactly stunning. There are probably more grown for foliage than flower but they all do flower. P. argentatus and P. zuluensis are the best two I’ve come across.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, I was way off. I get it now. I do recognize the genus, even if not familiar with the species.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is one funky video. The irises are not in flower here yet – which means that your slug alert is very well timed. The first year for me in this garden with crocuses and irises and having them decimated by slugs is not in the plan! But plans don’t count for much!
LikeLike
I’ve only seen tiny little slugs but a lot of holes.
LikeLike
Glad the panda turned up. How long do you leave your Cyclamen seedlings in a pot? I’ve some in the glasshouse that germinated earlier this year (graceum from memory).
LikeLike
I’ll leave the wider spaced ones for a couple of seasons but some I sowed too thick and I’ll have to thin them after one. I sent you an email with more info.
LikeLike
Jim that Camelia is lovely. We have had very little major frost up here to be fair this year. Plenty to ice up the car windows but not to freeze the ground much.
LikeLike
Yesterday was only the second time I had to scrape the car windows. Less frost lures you into growing more tender plants so you still get caught out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought I wouldn’t comment on the camellia, as everyone else would go bonkers over it & my comments do tend to be wordy, but it seems most of the comments are about frost (did a quick weather search & we’re safe for the next fortnight). So I really love that camellia. Just perfect, in form & colour. The 4th photo in #2 of the seedling peeking around the moss, that was fantastic. Did you find the panda inside by the fire, drinking your tea?
LikeLike
Drinking my tea, and then complained that it was the wrong sort of Bamboo! No pleasing some pandas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your pointless, self-destructive revenge, only I hope you won’t self-destruct. I suspect there was a bit of frustration there, and I can truly sympathize with a frustrated gardener.
LikeLike
I like to think my indignation and rage was on behalf of a plant that has taken several years to reach flowering size, pushed it’s beautiful and ephemeral bloom up into a cold wet January only to be met by a slimy onslaught.
LikeLike
Of course your rage was directed the right way. Fie on the slimy onslaught!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A video – and a lovely one at that. What a treat! Do you think the iris could have been pigeon-damaged? I know they pick at snowdrops at this time of year…
LikeLike
There were tell tale silvery bits, perish the thought I should blame slugs unfairly, but it was them.
LikeLike
The Camellia is very pretty. I don’t think I had any frost last night, but I have found a couple of small plants that have rotted away with all the rain… 😥 I think I am going to have to rethink my planting and look at bog garden plants!
LikeLike
Wetter winters and hotter summers is tricky, you don’t know which to try to cater for. Keep planting and see what survives I guess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite. I debated whether to nip outside with some fleece just now (as it falls dark on a cloudless sky) but then thought, sod it, I can’t be doing with mollycoddling everything, most tender plants are inside already, the rest can just get on with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful camellia and what a pretty iris.
LikeLike
Shame the slugs got the iris, you wait years and that happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That camellia is stunning ! I understand why it’s your favorite…
I have euphorbia mellifera seedlings to do (indoors) …. do you think it’s a good time or should I wait for March?
LikeLike
No great advantage to doing them early I wouldn’t have thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OK thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am looking forward to next week’s episode/video – you have started something now! That camellia is lovely.
LikeLike
I’m working up to a full length feature film. They’re fun to do.
LikeLike
You’ve missed this year’s Oscars, sadly. 😃
LikeLike
That’s a relief all round.
LikeLike
No frost here today, but beautifully sunny and clear so perhaps tonight. I am very fond of plectranthus, hope it makes it through. You are the camellia man, again another beauty.
LikeLike
I have backup Plectranthus, that one was crazy big to bring in. Our gulls drop white stuff too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Camellia ‘Minato-no-akebono is lovely. As is the moss, up close. We had a harder frost in the front garden than in the back. First one in months. Set to be colder tonight in Somerset (unless they change the forcast).
LikeLike
Just looked at the forecast, they’ve taken another degree off for tonight and added Monday night as a frosty one. I have things need tucking in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a wonderful show case on the SOS circuit for camelias…this is a beauty. Have you wondered whether caterpillars may be the cupprit? I have picked off several over the last few weeks. Frost here too today.
LikeLike