Where do I begin. I think most of us can say that we will be happy to see the end of 2020. It has been quite the year! I was very fortunate to immerse myself in gardening. I don’t think the garden has ever been so looked after. Many an hour I have spent there. We were also able to take walks in our nearby park.
We were very fortunate towards the beginning of the year to fit a trip in to the Cook Islands. We always enjoy the simple life there and of course the warm temperatures.
Memories of our Cook Island Trip
One of the first shrubs to bloom in the February garden is the Witch Hazel. The spidery yellow flowers send out a wonderful fragrance. I also look forward to seeing the hellebores bloom. In milder temperatures they flower throughout the winter months.
By mid March the snow starts to melt and an abundance of bulb shoots make an appearance. On milder days I start to clean up the garden beds and discover flowers blooming every day. The tulips always seem to do better than the daffodils. I also enjoy seeing the miniature bulbs in my rockery garden. I bring Spring indoors as well with potted arrangements including primroses.
EARLY SPRING FLOWERING BULBS AND FLOWERS
Towards the end of March I start sowing seeds in particular herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. There is nothing better than picking the sweet cherry tomatoes and cutting fresh herbs from the garden. I have had my greenhouse for many years and would be lost without it.
SEEDLINGS IN GREENHOUSE
By May/June the garden is full of colour. The early summer flowers put on a great show including the oriental poppies, peonies and some early flowering roses.
The rockery garden is at its best as the low growing perennials bloom earlier including arabis, yellow alyssum, creeping phlox…the list goes on. There is also the odd miniature bulb still blooming. At the same time the lilacs are in bloom; an old fashioned cottage garden shrub.
ROCKERY GARDEN
As the lock down measures lessened we did manage to fit in an early camping trip to Sugar Lake. It couldn’t have been more perfect as we ended up at Mile 1 with just one campsite. We were definitely social distancing during our 5 day stay there. This is when I can totally relax and get through a few books with limited access to internet. As much as I love gardening you do need a break from it once in a while.
SUGAR LAKE – CAMPING
This past summer we did not have such extreme high temperatures which allowed the garden to flourish. We enjoyed time spent out by the front patio or on the front porch. Invested in some new outside cushions this year fitting in with my floral scenes.
THE SUMMER GARDEN
As we approached fall the late summer flowers put on a show and as ever my hydrangea paniculata (Limelight) is very prominent in the front bed. Once again we managed to sneak in another camping trip to Skimikin Lake before more lock down restrictions came in.
LATE SUMMER GARDEN
We had a very mild fall/early winter which allowed me plenty of time to clean up the garden beds. We did have an early snowfall but it did not last long. Pruned most of the perennials and tucked them in with mulched leaves. Now as I write my post the garden is blanketed in snow – an extra layer of protection on the plants.
Throughout this year, being distanced from family and friends, I have joined the realm of face timing, zooming and whats app to keep connected. I think in some ways I have opened up new connections with long time friends.
All that remains to be said is I sincerely hope that 2021 will be a better year for everyone and that we return to some kind of normality. To my facebook, twitter and IG followers I have really appreciated your support over this past year. I look forward to new gardening adventures.
Hope You All Have A Happy, Healthy New Year
