January 25, 2007

December 2006
Here we go with a continuation of November's weather patterns - wind (gales) and rain, but suprisingly mild (11-13°C). There are still a few leaves on the Acer palmatum's but generally deciduous trees are now bare. Then we have had storms, rain, more storms more rain in the first half of the month. The result of this, is that the spring lines are now running 'normally', whatever that means and for how long? In the latter part we now have cloudy, raw, still weather with temperatures around 4 - 8°C. We have had a couple of nights where there has been a slight frost, but no noticable damage to any plants or Camellias flowering. Most of the Sarcococca species are now in flower together with Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty' which is flowering well this year compared with last years effort. On the few sunny days the honey bees have worked the Mahonia x media 'Charity' with such vigour that they dislodge the petals and sepals which are scattered in a yellow blanket on the ground surrounding the plant.
Plants of Iris ungicularis especially the clone 'Mary Barnard' have added colour and interest. The majority of spring bulbs are now showing and even some Galanthus are almost in flower (December 25th). Several plants of Helleborus x hybridus are well advanced.

Ginko biloba 2006	Ginko biloba detail of bark	Ginko biloba fallen leaves	last of the Hamamelis leaves	Ranunculus ficaria leaves in the lawn