Monday 10 December 2012

The Darling Buds Of.....December

Now that just doesn't sound right.
But there are buds a plenty:

This is a nice, healthy bud on Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent, one of the David Austin roses that I planted last autumn. Somehow, I don't think it will open because of the severe frosts forecast this week. But it is in a very sheltered position, so who knows?  Maybe.

This, on the other hand, is Helleborus argutifolius, which normally produces buds at this time of year, and should be flowering in a week or two, and will continue to bloom right through the winter whatever the weather.

And this is a 'twirly' (too early.) Another Hellebore, to give it its full name; Helleborus orientalis Double Ellen Red. I bought it two years ago from Hayloft Plants. The first year I grew it in a pot, and the second year I grew it in a deep hanging basket, but no flowers appeared. I then discovered that these Hellebores like a really deep root run to get established. So last summer, I moved it from the hanging basket into the ground. The cold, wet summer must have tricked it into thinking I had planted it in autumn, as now it is on the verge of flowering. It is in a very sheltered spot so hopefully any early flowers will survive.

And finally, I'm pleased to report that Long-Tailed Tits have returned to the garden. A flock of about a dozen of them have been feeding in my neighbour's conifer. Although I have put out fat balls for them, they seem more interested in the sunflower hearts at the moment. Maybe I should put a notice up for them.

18 comments:

  1. Pretty and charming buds and birds. You could always bring the rose in to open in a vase. The Hellebores are so pretty, I love winter blooming plants.

    At least the birds have taken to the new squirrel proof feeder.

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    1. Amazingly the rose bud has survived. With fine weather forecast for the next few days it might even bloom.

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  2. U nas śnieg i zimno, a u Ciebie kwiatki, które może zakwitną, miłe to. Uwielbiam podglądać ptaki, jak jedzą w karmniku. Pozdrawiam.
    Here the snow and cold, you au flowers that can bloom is nice. I love to watch the birds as they eat from the feeder. Yours.

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    1. Sorry to hear you've got snow, Giga. We've not had snow here, yet.

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  3. Crystal, perhaps its not May but still good to see the buds in your garden. I was also just welcoming the return of the long tails the other day. We normally bought those fat balls but Myra decided to make them herself, the birds love them much more, even had a couple of Woodpeckers since putting these out.

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    1. You see, even wild birds appreciate home made food.

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  4. Hi Crystal,

    I also have buds - roses, and some in bloom but no doubt they're now dead thanks to the cold day.
    No Hellebores here though, which I am disappointed about but they will come eventually.

    A quick tip for LTTs - they love cake, fairy cakes for example. I often buy cheap bun mixes and bake just for them (keeping some for me too, obviously) but they do go straight for them. Someone else gave me this tip and sure enough it works!

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    1. I'll try that with the cakes. They have been eating some bread, but I'm sure they'll appreciate cakes even more. Thanks for the tip.

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  5. No buds on my hellebores yet and still waiting for the return of the long tailed tits but we have lots and lots of goldfinches to make up for it.

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    1. So that's where all the goldfinches have gone, we've only got a small flock this year.

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  6. In the past 2 weeks we've had, for the first time ever, a Jay, a Woodpecker and a LTT (only one but he's visiting everyday). I've taken to buying an extra loaf each week just to keep Norman (our wood pigeon) fed.

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    1. I've only once seen a Jay, when I was on a bus about 3 miles from home. So maybe, one day, one could actually visit my garden.
      Glad to hear that Norman is well fed.

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  7. Hellebores already ! I'll have to go and check mine

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    1. I've checked my white Hellebores, and they are coming through as well.

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  8. I find it really hard to photograph birds as they seem to move so very quickly. I like your bird feeder, I must look out for one like that.

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    1. The birds tend to pose for a photo in my garden. I have a problem taking photos of butterflies.

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  9. No sign of any flower buds on my Hellebores - but I do have a few rose buds last time I looked but I suspect the frost will have put paid to them

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    1. The hellebores will soon make an appearance for you I'm sure.

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