Well it's hard to believe that we've reached the last Monday of the year and indeed the last 'In A Vase On Monday' for 2024! Gracing my vase today a trio consisting of :
- Galanthus 'Fieldgate' Prelude which is an early flowering variety although I associate it more with January than February. Having said that a good number of my snowdrops both under cover and in the garden seem to be emerging earlier than usual.
- Some foliage in the shape of leaves from an arum seedling - I prefer it to it's parent arum italicum.
- A small stem of hamamelis or witch hazel. This is the first time I've ever cut some of this particular shrub for a vase and the mere act of doing so seemed akin to plant vandalism. I'm sure it will survive though. There is an even larger stem that will ned removing soon as it's protuding into the car port and himself keeps dropping veiled remarks about it. I don't know which variety it is. It was sold to me in February 2019 as the red 'Foxy Lady' which it definitely isn't. The nursery concerned refunded me and allowed me to keep the imposter they sent. In the meantime the search for the real hamamelis 'Foxy Lady' continues.
Thanks as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Gardening' for hosting not just today but every Monday of the year whatever she or the weather is up to. On the subject of the weather here the last few days has certainly seen some variety. Christmas Day was a sparkling day full of blue skies and sunshine. However we woke up to fog on Boxing Day morning, which persisted with the odd brief respite for 48 hours. It was also cool and the fog dripped moisture throughout. We're now enjoying a couple of relatively mild days but the gale force winds and rain are returning tomorrow before temperatures are predicted to drop dramatically. Snow is a possibility next week. The great annual seed box sort has been completed so time to hunker in and order what's needed and do some planning. Wishing all my IAVOM compatriots a most happy and healthy new year and I hope that 2025 treats your garden kindly!
Maybe the title 'Blood Orange Marmalade' would be appropriate. It only came to mind as your cream stoneware vase reminds me of the old stoneware marmalade pots. Wishing you a happy new year.
ReplyDeleteWell, whatever its name, the witch hazel is very attractive, as is the Arum foliage. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed great weather on Christmas. We had some drippy weather of late ourselves, courtesy of a persistent marine layer; however, precipitation in any form is welcome as we've yet to have a real rainstorm, which is becoming alarming. Wishing you a happy new year, Anna!
ReplyDeleteYour witch hazel is beautiful and looks perfectly at home in the little pot. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead and many happy gardening moments.
ReplyDeleteYou must be thrilled to be able to cut your first witch hazel stem, Anna, and thanks for sharing it today! I remember how I felt when I first cut one, the teeniest side shoot available, if I recall. Your imposter could well be Jelena. Good luckin sourcing a genuine Foxy Lady, not one I have come across - she may well be available, at a cost, from the nursery I bought my two maturer ones from (Junkers). I cut arum leaves today for a posy to take to one of my nieces today (along with some witch hazel!) - such useful foliage, which I really miss when it is absent during the summer months
ReplyDeleteI must look up Foxy Lady as the imposter is lovely and I can't imagine how fantastic FL might be! I love Arum and have never been able to grow it. I like the vase as well. You have a wonderful collection of vases. Happy New Year and Happy Gardening, Amelia
ReplyDeleteHow brave of you to cut some Hamamelis. Whatever its name, it is a very pretty one. Love the Arum leaf and I almost missed the snowdrop which looks very large in the vase. We are still very frosty here… the layers have been building up and my grasses are slowly bowing down to the ground! Wishing you a very happy new year with lots of lovely gardening activities Anna, including seed orders!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops already?
ReplyDelete