Friday 16 January 2015

January Garden

Remember I told you about cutting a tree from our garden to use as a Christmas tree? I thought you'd like to know that it wasn't totally wasted. The pine needles have been used as a mulch for fruit bushes (they are alkaline as well as helping to reduce weeds) and the trunk will be used for fire wood when it has dried out.

Better than that though, we have planted a dozen new trees! They are all silver birch trees; just tiny little whips but they will soon grow.




We've also ordered some more trees that I'll tell you about once we get them.

The husband cut some of the willows which he will use in the garden. For example, to make a frame for the sweetpea to grow on in the summer.


 It has left a bit of a gap along the fence but the willow grows again very quickly.


It's hard to believe, but there are primroses flowering already. We've had snowdrops since before Christmas and a couple of daffodils are about to flower.


The heathers are providng some colour too.



What about this for a real splash of colour? Indoors, of course. We got this Christmas cactus just before Christmas and it has flowered magnificently!


 
Bye for now!

42 comments:

  1. Silver birches are beautiful trees, we have one in the front garden. They do grow quickly though so your little whips won't be little whips very long. I think heather comes in to its own at this time of year, they're great plants for a splash of colour in winter.

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  2. Everything is looking wonderful! You will have a wonderful grove of Silver Birches in years to come won't you. Your cactus is looking wonderful as well, they are amazing plants aren't they! xx

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  3. How lovely to have growing things in January. We couldn't begin to think about planting anything in January (or February, March, or April) up here in Wisconsin, USA. Our ground gets frozen solid, sometimes up to 6 ft. deep. Such sweet photos!

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  4. A beautiful garden, so lucky to have a sunny aspect. The daffs will be a while here yet.
    Happy tree planting, bunting strung from branch to branch in a few years?
    Helen x

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  5. Hello Gillian, I am totally envious of your Christmas cactus, I've not one flower at all.

    You have a wonderful garden, I'm looking forward to see the growing stages of the Silver Birches, and Oh my word
    I just love the vibrant orange of the willow, it's stunning. We also have a few shoots growing, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  6. How busy you are, your garden looks wonderful. Here is not a single flower blooming outside.
    Have a nice weekend, Birgit

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  7. Christmas cacti are great when in bloom, and I must say that your garden looks amazing! Can't wait to see those cute little trees growing up... : )
    Have a lovely weekend, Gillian! xx

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  8. That Christmas Cactus is a beauty. Hugs and have a great weekend,
    Meredith

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  9. Wow spring flowers already!! Your cactus is so pretty! I can't believe how green it is in Ireland

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  10. I love birch trees. I think the way you planted them is going to make for a stunning little arbor in that space.

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  11. I love silver birches. And willow. And heather come to that. My garden is still very much in winter mode so not much in the way of colour unless you count the trampoline which is blue !
    jillxo

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  12. What brave flowers you have to bloom in this cold! I just want to hide until the weather improves :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. Your January garden is absolutely gorgeous! I love that you planted many trees after only using one for Christmas! Have a great weekend,
    Tammy x

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  14. Your silver birches will look fabulous in a group once fully grown.

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  15. Silver birches are beautiful! My in-laws had one in their front garden but they are hard to keep in South Australia because they are not drought-friendly. They need too much water for us to spare which is a shame. What variety of birch did you plant - upright or weeping? Willows are another tree that we are not allowed to plant in South Australia as they are weeds here. The early explorers used willow branches to mark the channels in the river systems and the willows took over and began to choke out the native aquatic plants thus destroying habitats for native fish etc.
    Your garden is looking lush and how exciting to have so many new plantings. xx

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    Replies
    1. We planted upright birch trees. We are fortunate to have plenty of rain here!

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  16. I love your cactus too ! so beautiful and colorful !! HAve a lovely week end !

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  17. hello gillian
    your january garden looks wonderful. your christmas cactus is a beauty!!!!
    thanks for the wonderful photos!!!
    have a nice weekend,
    regina

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  18. Oh yum...your garden is so full of colour.
    Dreaming.....
    Cheers, Anita.

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  19. Your garden is looking great, though perhaps is under snow this Sunday morning! Always look forward to reading your posts.

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  20. Your garden is nothing like mine, we have lots of snow and ice.
    Have a nice day

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  21. Hi Gillian.....CONGRATULATIONS, you've won yourself a pink bunny! Can you let me have your details and I'll get her posted off to you. Suzy xo

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    Replies
    1. That's brilliant! Thank you - I'll be in touch.

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  22. Beautiful garden. Makes me excited for spring.

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  23. Well done for winning the pink bunny.
    Like you i am a keen gardener and am looking forward to the Spring....xx

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  24. Hello Gillian,
    Nice images of the new trees. That must be special and nice to see them growing up.
    Wonderful shots of that plant with the beautiful pink flowers. Well done!!

    Kind regards,
    Marco

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  25. Nice garden!!! cute flowers!!!
    would you like to follow each other? let me know...I always follow back.
    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit!!! I follow you with GFC and Bloglovin!!
      Have a good week!!! and my like in bloglovin for your post too!!!:)))

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  26. Lovely to see new trees planted, and also to know that your Christmas tree has been put to good use. It will be wonderful to see those first buds break on the silver birches in spring. CJ xx

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  27. Hello Gillian

    Many congratulations on you pink bunny win.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    Replies
    1. I'm really looking forward to getting the bunny in the post.

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  28. Nice post. Like them. I follow you, could you follow me back, pls. Kiss

    http://mylovelyfashionbih.blogspot.com/

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  29. So exciting to see the trees come with small green shoots in the spring, it is fine.
    You've probably a milder January one here, a nice primula in bloom.
    Good Tuesday to you.

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  30. Hello Gillian!

    I read your post this morning, then I got caught up about some new crochet, then started photographing and blogging about it, only to see your comment on my last post - which reminded me:

    I STILL HADN'T LEFT A COMMENT HERE!!! Duh!!!!

    Which is what I am doing now, finally... hahaha!!! :))

    I love your garden (please can I come and live there?) It's so nice!!! I miss my garden from England. I also planted lots of trees which soon grew! Love your little bits of colour!!! :)

    One more thing: do you mind coming back to my page? Only I did a new blog post.... ;))))

    Love,
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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  31. Your garden looks so neat and tidy compared to my wintry muddy bog of land! It is a shame to chop down trees but so rewarding to plant new ones in return to give the ground new life and a different feel to the garden. Have a wonderful week xx

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  32. I love silver birches and they grow so amazingly well. It is going to look beautiful. x

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  33. So nice that you have planted some silver birches.....they will soon grow, too. The willows will make such lovely plant supports and wigwams! I enjoyed seeing your flowers .....how amazing those delicate little primroses are, they are such survivors whatever the weather.
    Helen xox

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  34. Beautiful photos, I love your blog .
    I´m your new follower. I have a linky party international on my blog. It is to meet new blogs.
    Kisses from: redecoratelg.com

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  35. Your garden is huge! I am not much of a green thumb but I enjoy reading and seeing images of other people's gardens. Those Christmas cacti are incredible, I've never heard of them before. Thanks for your comment on my wire basket, maybe somewhere deep in my subconscious mind I knew that open baskets were good for storing garlic and onions, but it wasn't until you mentioned it that I remembered about that - lucky bonus!

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  36. Hi Gillian,
    I am so pleased that you have made a Blanket for a Care Home near to you!
    Just think of the comfort you will be giving to someone.
    I'm always very grateful to you for your comments and I just want to say I absolutely love
    your photos on your Blog. You take such a good photo! Well done.
    Beautiful
    Love Sue x

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  37. So beautiful there. Very cold and snowy here. All the seed catalogs have started to pour in though, so am planning my next garden.

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