INSPIRED BY WINTER CHILLS

1ST DECEMBER 2017 NORTH YORKSHIRE

Well, it’s the 1^st December and it’s SNOWING and VERY COLD, 0 degrees C, but strong northerly wind gives a ‘Wind Chill’ of -15 degrees C. At least the grass has stopped growing and the hedges are dormant. The local Council stop their Garden Waste collection this week – for which we have a collection licence, cost £39 for 18 fortnightly single bin collections – so winter must be here at last.

All the winter planters and hanging baskets seem to be in good health and not affected by the freezing night temperatures. Miniature Cyclamen, Pansies and Polyanthus are all in flower and their supporting ivies and miniature shrubs all look good by 10 O’clock when the sun finally appears. Lots of spring bulbs were fooled by the mild weather in early November and are in full leaf but not bold enough to put up flower buds. They will probably remain as is until the first signs of spring in March.

Just one of the winter baskets

Pot of pansies underplanted witth spring bulbs

One of five window boxes, giving lots of winter interest

Having got the 2.5 metre high posts in position for the proposed climbing roses; will be planting ‘Bare Rooted’ stock from the local Rose Grower in the next couple of weeks. Fragrance and repeat flowering varieties are about to be chosen.  Favourites so far are: Dreaming Spires – large yellow blooms, Dancing Queen – bright pink flowers and very gay, Pink Perpertue – rose pink flowers in abundance, That's Jazz – dark velvet red all summer, Zepherine Drouhin – deep silvery pink,  no thorns and highly scented, Gertrude Jekyll - not really a climber but with a bit of TLC can achieve around 3metres, fantastic aroma and free flowering for months.

The heater is installed in the Green House. It's electric, 200 watt, so only acts as a frost guard, but should allow the use of the facility during the next dark and cold months. To ensure some value for the electric cost have sheltered some Geraniums, planted tubs and various spring bulbs (Hyacinth, Narcissi, Tulips and Alliums) which are enjoying their enhanced privileges.

Plenty going on in the new greenhouse now

Instant spring in the greenhouse

Tender plants enjoying the shelter the cold weather

Lots of cuttings taken, hoping the increase plant stock

The  double glazed and centrally heated Conservatory adjacent to the house is proving an excellent home for the more exotic plants, tender Cyclamen, Amarylis (bulbs just showing tip of flower bulb), Anthuriums, tender Ivies, Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus (in full flower) plus lots of cut roses and lilies all make it a great (and warm) place for breakfast. It's also great for a snooze in the afternoon sun (during it’s rather rare visits) and is a splendid viewing point for the magnificent winter sunsets for which the North Yorkshire Prairies is well renowned.

Cut flowers brighten up the conservatory

Ivies and Christmas cactus to enhance the conservatories

This anthurium really enjoys life in the conservatory

Just once of many magnificent sunsets in North Yorkshire

The pleasure of LPG fired central heating in the house  means that no logs have to brought in to burn or ashes to be removed. This greatly pleases the HG and has increased the number of opportunities for life preserving Coffee Breaks, so the ‘Bell’ (left in Portugal) has not been replaced with a more civilised ‘bidding’ by voice and hand gesture (assumed to be still a ‘Cheerful Wave’).

So if my sight is right, a summons has occurred

 must dash

 see you soon

 Stuart.