WINTER WONDERLAND

Wishing all my friends a Happy Christmas and a healthy year to come.

The above photo was taken in my local woods in 2010 just a couple of minutes walk away. So far this year we have not seen any snow in fact it is the mildest December on record.

DELPHINIUMS - DREAMING SPIRES

I adore Delphiniums years ago I had an allotment next to someone who grew Delphiniums for show - can you imagine an allotment of Delphiniums it was like being in heaven when they were in flower.
One thing I learnt was that it is very difficult to cater for the needs of a Delphinium in a mixed border because they need so much protection from slugs and snails. So I find by giving them a bed to themsleves is by far the easiest way to grow them and enjoy their beauty.

Of course they don't actually have a bed to themselves - various plants have crept in, box edging grown from cuttings, a Sanders White rose from a cutting and several clematis crawl up the trellis behind the Delphiniums but then what would you expect in my garden

All have been grown from seed why wouldn't you when it is so easy and such lovely colours develop.

Sorry about the bindweed in my unkempt garden - I have since pulled it out but it will grow again in no time.

An old cooking apple tree to one side.

And to the other side a lovely Gleditsia one of a pair that arch over the path.

THE JOY OF ROSES

Sophy's Rose under the front window such a joy to see from inside and in the garden.

Sophy's Rose has a delightful fragrance.
 http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/Showrose.asp?Showr=3474

Jayne Austin by the front wall flowers profusely and frequently passers by stop to enjoy the scent.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=1158

Pity the Internet doesn't have a scent button.

Charles Renee Mackintosh

Rather crushed by the Viburnum which needs pruning back although the Pink looks lovely against the purple of the Viburnum.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=947

Winchester Cathedral which hasn't been in many years and lacks light as it is near the Laburnum tree.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=1011

Rambler Goldfinch on the fence just outside the back door.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=424

Veilchenblau Rambler such an unusual and interesting purple and white rose. In the foreground Carpenteria Californica shrub.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=432

This was a present and I seem to have lost the name.

New Dawn climber a cutting from one in the front garden that may have been from David Austin roses.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=656

Rosa Gallica Officinalis suckers from my Dad's garden

Sir Edward Elgar was a David Austin buy but is no longer on their website.

On the left tripod Cornelia Rose from a cutting on the right Francine Austin
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=956 
In the background Francis E Lester

Francine Austin grown up a tripod.

Cornelia

Mayor of Casterbridge bought through David Austin roses but no longer in their catalogue but such a prolific rose in growth and flower.

Noble Anthony http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=3345

Francis E Lester http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=366

A closer look at Francis E Lester

Charles de Mills from a sucker from my Dad's rose.

Sweet Juliet http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=1098

Sweet Juliet grows strongly and flowers profusely.

Crocus Rose  which has the most delightful reddish stems in early seasons growth looking very attractive as are the lovely perfumed flowers.
 http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=3653

Rosa Mundi another sucker from my Dad's garden.

Falstaff http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=3629

Cottage Rose one of my favourites although it took some years to find the right position for it.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=2787

A view up the garden with Cottage Rose in the foreground. The Box encloses the vegetable beds as well as providing a Box box at each end giving me an opportunity to grow a rose in each one 20 in total.

Rambling Rector a prolific grower and flowerer which needs more room than the trellis I grow it on but nevertheless gives lots of enjoyment.
http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/showrose.asp?showr=108

Another view across the vegetable area although at this time of year it is more of a rose garden. Most of my roses are grown in this section of the garden. Amusing to think that gardeners used to try and persuade people to grow vegetables in their flower borders. I prefer to grow roses and other flowers in my vegetable beds. The borrowed landscape of the trees not only provides a good view and shelter from winds but also means our garden has a large number of birds and butterflies some of which are encouraged by the proximity of the copse.

Aviateur Bleriot is a delightful Rambler. Another David Austin rose which is no longer on their list.

Most of the 15 Ramblers in the garden and many of the 40+ shrub roses were bought through David Austin Roses, mostly over 30 years ago.

As you can see I have a lot to thank David Austin roses for and love looking through their catalogue and making a beeline for their stand at any of the flower shows, but nothing can beat the joy of growing roses in your own garden and walking through them every day especially in June enjoying their delicious perfume. I think maybe only 4 don't have a perfume such a shame blogger can't share that smell.

CLEMATIS CELEBRATION

There is always room for just one more clematis they can be hidden in the hedge or fence and then when they flower what a wonderful sight. Above is Pink Fantasy.

A closer look at Pink Fantasy

and even closer. It benefits by being in a bit of shade so that the sun doesn't bleach out the stripes.

This is such a treat I bought this many years ago and managed to take a cutting before the original plant died. It has taken many years to develop but this year there have been several flowers. These are exposed to lots of sun and so the petals are bleached. I think it is William Kennett.

Wadas Primrose a very early flowering large clematis.

Mrs N Thompson a real delight especially in a dark corner.

On the sunnier side of the arch is Clematis Rebecca performing very well.

More of Rebecca

Nelly Moser from a cutting fills a space on the fence.

Josephine

Marie Boisselot

A closer look at Marie Boisselot

Belle of Woking

Belle of Woking is quite a vigorous clematis.

Niobe rather hidden this year but such a lovely deep colour.

Somewhere to enjoy several of my clematis not just those behind the seat.

Ville de Lyon which I thought I'd lost by accidentally pruning too hard, so a welcome treat to see it this year.

Just some of the joys of June.