Six days to go and I’ve taught myself to play We Wish You A Merry Christmas on our new piano kindly given to us by a neighbour.
My Christmas list this year consists mainly of garden-related items: a soil sieve so I can get rid of the persistent weeds in our compost; The Garden Jungle by Dave Goulson who is Professor of Biology at Sussex University down the road from us, a new pair of secateurs and gardening gloves which I always seem to be in need of.
I have wound up most of my work, so I can relax and hopefully get out in the garden over the next few days. It’s going to be a quiet Christmas this year, visiting my parents briefly in their garden before returning home to spend it just the five of us. Actually forget the quiet bit as that’s unlikely with three kids aged six to 12.
And with absolutely no logic whatsoever this week I started a newsletter called The Half Wild Garden. This is going to be one of my new projects for 2021 – I would love it if you took a look, although I will still be continuing with Carrots and Calendula and of course SOS!
What are your plans for Christmas? There’s no nicer way to start the season than by joining in with The Propagator and sharing six things from our garden.
1. Festive wreath
Our beautiful wreath with lavender and lotus flowers was made by lovely local sustainable florist Kate at Forage & Bloom. I didn’t have the time for a wreath making workshop and it’s so important to support small local businesses this year.
2. O Tannenbaum
This is the time of year when my husband who is learning German goes around the house singing O Tannenbaum. A lot. Our Christmas tree came from Wilderness Wood. They sold out last weekend and when we got there on Saturday they only had smallish trees left. Then our 10-year-old spotted this whopper all on its own. The guys chainsawed off the bottom two feet and we – just – got it into our sitting room. We have had to brace it to the window to make sure it doesn’t fall over but we all love it. Cant see the telly mind.
3. Woodland garden
There’s not much exciting in our garden this week so I thought I’d share this picture of the woodland border I have designed for my parents’ garden. At the front are four Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’ which make a great alternative to box. Here’s one up close.
4. Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Also in the woodland border are three Geranium ‘Rozanne’ which are just the most reliable and long-flowering geraniums. I want to add more.
5. New shoots
The Iris reticulata bulbs I planted last month are already popping up. This is a bulb lasagne with tulip bulbs underneath the dwarf irises.
6. God Jul
I’ve had this candle for a few years now and I always light it in December. Seen here with an Asplenium scolopendrium. Bringing evergreens inside was a tradition of Roman Saturnalia and the Germanic and Scandinavian Jul. I suppose houseplants are our modern equivalent.
Happy Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weinachten, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, God Jul to one and all!
Best wishes with the newsletter – and for Christmas.
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Thanks Paddy!
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Hope you have a happy Christmas 🎄
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Nollaig shona dhaoibh, a chara. Rest up and watch a bit of telly. Best wishes with the half wild newsletter. Now, I gotta resist the urge to check out Substack.
I really like the Woodland Garden and in particular the timber fence.
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Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is a great sure bet in winter because it brings a magnificent touch of colour.
I should add it…
I recognized the little words “Joyeux Noël” written in French at the end… Thank you ! Merry Christmas to all your family too
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Lovely to see the preparations for a “young family” Christmas……..takes me back over 40 years. Interesting Six-on-Saturday. My Pittosporum is getting very leggy and not very attractive, I think drastic action is needed. Enjoy your Christmas and get plenty of early nights before Christmas eve!
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Rozanne is superb, mine grows on a rubbly bank in half shade with white Japanese anemones. I like seeing the iris reticulata shoots too, not long till February!! Merry Christmas!
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Hadn’t thought of growing iris reticulata indoors! Have a handful of bulbs dug up when I was planting tulips, so I think I’ll throw them in a pot!
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And a Happy Christmas to you too, hope you have a wonderful time. I have just read The Garden Jungle and have become evangelical about it, you will love it! Good luck with the newsletter, I will look out for it. Take care and have lots of fun x
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The woodland border in your parents’ garden looks great and I’ve made a note of Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’ as I always worry about my box getting blight. Your front door looks rather impressive too with its stained glass. Have a Happy Christmas.
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Christmas is for young children (unless you are religious of course) and I am sure you’ll have a fun (and noisy, chaotic) time. Your wreathe is lovely and I like your Scandi candle too. Happy ventures in the new year.
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What a delightful Christmas tree!
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Brilliant festive selection and I really hope you enjoy your family Christmas. I really like the lavender in the wreath – that’s a talented florist. Your parents must be so happy with the woodland border. Happy Christmas Ciar and family!
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