For reasons that are probably not too hard to fathom in a time of lock down, I have a growing collection of indoor plants and have taken to attempting some flower arranging. The latter is probably a generous description of what I actually do, but in a time of restrictions, it is a source of great comfort and joy.
Part of the pleasure comes from foraging for colourful stems and flower heads. These do not even have to be at their flowering best to be effective. The heads of Hydrangeas have a pinkish faded beauty and majesty about them: combined with Pheasant Berry (Leycesteria formosa) and dogwood stems, the results can be impressive. With the help of a few tips for the professionals, it seems that this art form is within reach of everyone so inclined.
Evergreens such as Eleagnus, Mahonia and privet will always beef up an arrangement. Stems from tall grasses provide a contrast to bulkier plant material and if you add a few well-behaved Christmas decorations you are on a seasonal home run.
You do not need to raid your public park or someone else garden for this: there are plenty of seasonal berries and stems on highways and byways that will stand a modest harvest (note: modest!).
Tasks to do this month include:
Make sure all pruning of roses is completed. The general rule of thumb is to cut back shrub roses by a third and climbers to have straggly shoots pruned. This is to stabilise the plant and prevent root disruption in high winds.
Renovation of climbing roses is best done between now and February by thinning and reducing stems by approximately one third and taking out dead and diseased stems. Look up the RHS site for more details.
The birdlife will be scratching around for food: fill up your winter feeders making sure, as best as you can, that they are squirrel proof. Once the birds have located your feeders, they should return again and again.
Be careful when you are tidying up a shed or having a bonfire: all sorts of creatures may be making their homes for the winter there.
A stack of logs building materials (especially clay tiles and pipes) offer overwintering bugs a hotel for the cold months!
Birches, vines and Japanese maples are best pruned at this time of year. Vines are less likely to bleed sap.
Bare root trees and shrubs can be planted now. This is a very economical way of establishing hedges, especially as wildlife boundaries.
With the chances of high winds growing more likely, it is sensible to ensure that all trees are properly tethered and climbers and cut back and tied in.
Protect your outdoor taps from frost by covering them with hessian or bubble wrap: it is the expansion of the water when it turns to ice that bursts a pipe.
A log or a football in a pond will prevent the total coverage of ice during a frozen spell. Ensure the log or football can be reached and removed!
There is rarely a day when it is wet all hours. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and make a dash for fresh air when you can. Drink it in. The best is yet to come.
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!