And it's time to have a look at the garden as it continues its winter slumber...
We're sort of in hibernation mode ourselves, which is probably very obvious seeming as our last post almost two weeks ago was a photo of a duck! Just as I was about to to get stuck in to gardening around that time Gaz suggested that we continue redecorating the rest of the house instead. The ground floor has been done up with the house renovation we had last year, as well as parts of upstairs. The bedrooms just need to catch up though with the rest of the house and the first one to be tackled in the guest room (more on this later). Sensible suggestion, best to get indoor decorating out of the way before spring arrives and the garden takes priority again.
The temptation to stay indoors and not even venture out at all was very high seeming that we are in the middle of a cold spell of sorts. We even had some snow in the morning which fortunately melted away by noon. Tonight temperatures are predicted to dip down to -4C in our area.
A quick once over never does harm and I'm glad I broke the inertia and had a little walk in the garden today...
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| Dasylirion longissimum |
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| Even a small touch of blue sky! |
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| Aspidistra elatior |
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| Chamaerops humilis |
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| The deck under the verandah is home to a number of boxes that would have been inside, but inside is full of plants! |
Gardening routines after work are usually no more than a little stay in the koi shed we finished weeks ago but length of daylight is increasingly becoming noticeable and it won't be long before we can do other gardening activities getting back home from work. The guest room has been mostly finished redecoration too, with just finishing touches left to be done (accessories etc). I'll be sharing what we did to that bedroom in the past few days later. It was fun and was somehow botanical inspired.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I always try to get indoor projects done in winter; there is little hope for them after spring arrives, until hot summer, which is another "indoor season" here. Your garden looks green, even now, but it is the wonderful red arbor that catches my attention!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to get that shot of colour especially in the winter Debs :) best to get indoor tasks out of the way now. In the summer we don't spend that much time indoors unless it's rainy
DeleteHi Mark, to me your garden doesn't look at all as if it is taking a winter slumber! Almost everything is green, lush and juicy like you would expect from a garden in the tropics, but not one that is located in England with subzero temperatures in winter. It really amazes me that you guys are able to garden like this. It must be due to your excellent plant choices. Your garden definitively stands out from any other garden that I see on English blogs. Well done, I guess you achieved your goal of having a tropical garden in England and proof to anybody that it is actually possible.
ReplyDeleteI have a favorite plant today: Dasylirion longissimum. That is really a cool looking thing! Could imagine having this in my own garden as well!
Warm regards,
Christina
Thanks Christina! Definitely possible and most of the time it's about getting the look using hardy plants. Dasylirion longissimum would look great on your garden, in amongst the cycads and roses :)
DeleteMinus 4C! Brrr. I hope your plants get through the cold spell without harm - everything certainly looks great now. Confronted with that kind of cold, I'd be focusing on indoor activities too. I look forward to seeing the results of your renovations.
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping it'll only be for one night Kris. Sorting out the guest bedroom was relatively easy and quick so was the first one to be done :)
DeleteOhhh now I´m curious to see that botanical inspired decoration!!! the garden looks pretty well...and that dasylirion...wow!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment it's only the bedspread Lisa, hehe! :) still on the lookout for accessories
DeleteYour garden has such a strong evergreen backbone that it's always beautiful. I so admire that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of an interior decorator but I look forward to seeing what you've done inside.
Thanks Gerhard :) it was only a small effort compared with the work the rest of the house needed but I was inspired to post about it by other garden bloggers posting about their house decorating pursuits at the moment.
DeleteThe garden looks great considering the time of year. I am delighted that the guest bedroom is high on your agenda. The last time I stopped in it I could not move for fear of knocking over all your expensive makeup and posh perfumes. Negotiating my way round the vast number of bottles of Coke was a different matter-how much of that stuff do you drink? :-) I did sleep well xx
ReplyDeleteHahaha! We had you in mind Don, thinking that we must get that room nice ready for you again ;)
DeleteYour garden always looks great and It's especially nice to see it looking so green at this time of year - so many gorgeous palms. Your Dasylirion longissimum stole the show for me. You've placed it perfectly to show off its charms. Happy February!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter! It's also protecting those little plants underneath it :)
DeleteThe garden is looking good despite it being February 1...aah, yes, the winter indoor chores...we try to tackle those too. Can't wait to see some pics of the garden waking up from its long winter nap!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamara! Can't wait for spring and the garden to start waking up :)
DeleteCan't wait to see what you've done indoors!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I thought of you when we were decorating as it reminded me of your own work indoors. You and Jessica (Rusty Duck blog) have inspired me to do a little feature of it on our blog :)
DeleteAs the others have noted pretty much all I saw in this post was the Dasylirion longissimum, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty Loree, and a toughie too :)
DeleteHello Mark and Gaz,
ReplyDeleteWell, one could almost think that you were in the tropics given the amount of lush vegetation that you have in your garden at this time of year. 2015 is surely going to be a showstopper of a year for you!
And, you are certainly never idle with all your indoor projects as well as the outdoor ones. We are excited to see what you have done with the bedroom, hopefully nothing to keep one awake at night!
Thanks Jane and Lance, and we have high hopes for 2015 :)
DeleteThe bedroom looks much calmer now with the new paint but I'm afraid the artex ceiling had to stay...
I can hardly believe it is winter looking at those shots of your garden. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWinter is indeed the best time to get decorating jobs done.. I am not forever looking out of the window and wishing I was out there. Look forward to seeing what you've done.
Thanks Jessica! As I've mentioned to Amy hers and your projects indoors has inspired me in sharing our room redecoration :)
DeleteYour garden looks like it is weathering winter well! I too have been hibernating and barely getting one blog out a week since Christmas. I thought it was having work men in the house for several weeks but perhaps it is just the effects of winter. We had a few warm days last week and sure enough my spirits were restored!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurin! Come spring all of us will lots of topics to blog about :)
DeleteEven when it's really chilly I feel so much better for a quick walk around the garden. It's a great way to notice the little changes that signal that spring is on its way. Your garden is looking really good, hope it survived -4! Looking forward to the big guest room reveal - and, btw, love the green/black combo on your shed! C x
ReplyDeleteThanks Caro! Thankfully it only went down to -2C so it wasn't too bad :) hopefully that the worst of it this winter, cross fingers!
ReplyDelete