Autumn colours

 

Isn't this just the most wonderful colour? Most shrubs have lost all their leaves but this one is clinging on.

Corydalis Solida

 

Another corydalis, just love them, but this one does not flower for very long, and then just disappears until the next spring!

 

This is the beautiful blur corydalis which I left a comment on to Melanie of Old Country Gardens

Aren't gardeners wonderful, generous people

Yesterday, while visiting my hairdresser, she presented me with this wonderful Colchicum bulb, "waterlily"
I have always wanted one, but never managed to see them for sale, so will have to look after this precious one.
Still lovely late autumn days, clear blue skies and no wind, but quite hard frosts. I noticed today that Camellia "Debutante" had some new growth frosted, result of confusing weather and shrubs putting on new growth too late, even have 2 Rhododendrons flowering.

Some late flowers, or early, however you see them

This tiny Narcissus bulbicodium cantabrensis is always the first to flower, before any other bulbs are up. It looks very delicate, but survives the frost, and when it disappears I forget all about it, but up it pops again.
This other photo is one of the last of the roses, and one of my favourites, has been flowering since about October. She is called Betty Boop.

Bird Feeders

 

Today I decided, because the temperature is dropping rapidly, would make my bird feeders.
Tied strings around pine cones and covered them with beef dripping, and hung them in the trees where we can watch them from inside in front of the fire..
The sparrows and the waxeyes just love this treat in the winter, although have to stop when spring comes, or else their offspring do not learn to fend for themselves.

The Straw Garden

At long last all of the garden has its pea straw blanket on for the winter.
I have never used it before, but needs must where needs want, and as I have a quite severe back problem am hoping that this will make things easier for us. I have never liked the look, but have to admit now it is finished everything looks all tidy, until it blows a gale of course, or the birds think it is a good place to scratch. At the moment, Mungo, our ginger tom thinks anywhere on the straw in the sun is especially for him. However the forecast is for snow showers, so no doubt he will find it preferable in front of the log fire.
I have been breaking up my epimediums, never done it before but am looking forward to having quite a few clumps around. Only have the pink, but my friend only has the yellow, so a swap should be in order.
Went to the local Horticultural Club meeting, where one of our members spoke to us about his chrysanthemums which he has been growing for 30 years, Very interesting the the National Show is this weekend in Timaru, so think I may go along. Always nice to learn about something different.

Went to the local Travel Club monthly meeting this morning and heard a local person speak on her time living and working in Libya, very interesting and somewhere not many people get to go to.