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Winter Garden Chaos

Yes, it’s all a bit of a mess out there!…. The overturned wheel barrow is full of sludge, the fallen leaves are everywhere and I’m going to resist the urge to do anything about it!… The leaves are providing much needed ground protection and nutrients as they break down. The heathers and hebe are still providing colour and texture by the old table. #gardenrestorationblog

Chunky bluebell shoots

I’m looking forward to seeing the bluebells in bloom. Spring is definitely around the corner. These are Spanish bluebells that were here in the garden when we arrived. The Spanish bluebell is common in garden centres and is a robust, chunky bluebell popular as a garden plant in the UK. However, they are causing an ecological issue in areas where British Native Bluebells thrive in the wild. For more information about the implications of the Spanish bluebell on the future

Plucky Snapdragons!

These amazing flowers have withstood the cold of winter and are still blooming. They have continued to provide much needed nectar for insects – and colour for me! Apparently when the flowers have died back they begin to resemble little human skulls on the stalks! I'll investigate with my camera again in a month or so... #gardenrestorationblog #flowers

Cellar Beetle

Found a lovely big cellar beetle today. On closer inspection I noticed he was actually missing a bit of one of his left legs…. Didn’t stop him from scuttling off into the undergrowth. #gardenrestorationblog #beetle

A 'Duvet' of Fallen Leaves

These have actually been giving the bulbs below a nice bit of protection from the night frosts and now the bluebells are finally beginning to show through… #gardenrestorationblog #newgrowth

Even MORE wood pigeons

Since throwing out a load of breadcrumbs, the wood pigeons have told their friends. The garden has been full of these big chunky birds... and the cats have been glued to the windows indoors! Surprisingly this noisy magpie that usually bullies the food off the other birds gave up the squabble and flew off - leaving the garden free for even more wood pigeons to arrive for the feast. #gardenrestorationblog

Wood pigeons & magpies

The ground has been solid and the birds haven’t had a great deal of food around. After throwing a few handfuls of breadcrumbs outside, the birds were encouraged within minutes. (I made sure the cats were securely indoors!) Wood pigeons and Magpies strutted their stuff along the path, squabbling over chunks of bread. #gardenrestorationblog

The icy lawn.

Winter has finally arrived. #gardenrestorationblog

Frosty Fern Frond

Just one of many frosty fern fronds this morning – and so very pretty…. #gardenrestorationblog

An ‘icing sugar dusting’ on the Hebe

A frosty hebe this morning. #gardenrestorationblog

Russet leaves of the cotoneaster

A closer view of the red frosty leaves of the cotoneaster. #gardenrestorationblog

The frosty ‘pincushion plant’

Here’s the wonderful scabious plant, still in bloom with pink flowers now dusted with frost. These flowers have made a huge impact to the number of bees and butterflies over the summer months. #gardenrestorationblog

Frost-crusted leaves…

The night frosts have certainly arrived. This morning there are lots of beautiful, crispy white shapes in the garden. #gardenrestorationblog

Christmas Day Rosemary Sprig

I’m doing roast potatoes with rosemary, garlic and some zest of lemon and oranges today. Lovely when you can pick herbs fresh from the garden! #gardenrestorationblog

Our Festive Wreath

This was bought locally but next year I’d really like to make one with pinecones etc… #gardenrestorationblog

Soggy lambs ears

I need to re-pot these if they are going to survive, they are properly water-logged. #gardenrestorationblog

Snapdragon

Here’s a closer view of the snapdragon flower. When the flowers have died back, snapdragon stalks can sometimes appear to have skulls hanging off them! Some amazing pictures of these on the Internet…. #gardenrestorationblog

Last summer flowers standing...

At the very back of the garden are the ‘remains’ of the summer flowers. I am amazed that this pot of snapdragons still has flowers blooming in December! #gardenrestorationblog

Moss patches

The moss in this area seems to be benefiting from the shade offered by the wild geranium plant. #gardenrestorationblog

Cyclamen leaves

The cyclamen plant has gone from strength to strength this Autumn. No more pink flowers but instead there is now a large patch of bright variegated are leaves covering the area. #gardenrestorationblog

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Winter Garden Chaos

Chunky bluebell shoots

Plucky Snapdragons!

Cellar Beetle

A 'Duvet' of Fallen Leaves

Even MORE wood pigeons

Wood pigeons & magpies

The icy lawn.

Frosty Fern Frond

An ‘icing sugar dusting’ on the Hebe

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An ‘icing sugar dusting’ on the Hebe

A Vibrant Autumn Patio

Speckled Bush Cricket

Cosmos and Painted Lady Butterfly

Butterfly Eggs!

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