Trees in winter

I like winter trees. Against a blue sky they look like sculptures...

..they look dramatic with the sunshine and a grey sky....

.. they look pretty with raindrops shining like beads...

...and picturesque with snow.

Hellebores

These Helleborus orientalis are the first flowers I've cut from my garden. I like them floating in this mini goldfish bowl.

As you can see through the window behind, we've had a light dusting of snow.

More snow

There has been more snow since I took this photograph on 19 January. It seems we are stuck with it until the weekend when a thaw is expected. 

This is Hydrangea quercifolia. It is one of my favourite shrubs. It has usually lost its leaves by now but the weather has been so mild that they have stayed on. They do contrast nicely with the snow.

Jasminum nudiflorum is very tough. A good plant to have near the house so that it can be admired from the window.

I made this heart from the red stems of Cornus 'Elegantissima' which grows in my garden. It has been on my shed for several months so it has now faded. I will make another in the spring.

Snow

The first snow of the season. Viburnum fragrans. Scented pink flowers on bare stems in winter, I love it.

In place of flowers

Belinda at Wildacre has left her Christmas jug of twigs on display http://t.co/Yyd2IU4e. This has made think about the birch twigs I used to display my hand sewn tiny hearts at craft fairs. I cut them down and put them in a cream metal jug. I like the contrast and it suits the room too.

I also have bottle of grasses collected from the garden in the kitchen.

For a touch of summer this bowl contains dried flowers and leaves from my garden

Looking back

2012 has been a strange year for a gardener.  Spring was very dry, summer was the second wettest on record. The wet weather has continued throughout the year. This view through my kitchen window has been a common one.

I managed to lose my bag of seeds so only had my new purchases to sow. I kept hoping I would find it but It still hasn't turned up. I really missed the sweet peas. 

Calendula 'Sherbet Fizz'

Ageratum 'Red Sea'

 I grew the Calendula and Ageratum pictured above. They were for cutting but I was disappointed with both of them. 

Scabious 'Black Night'

Scabious 'Black Night' was different. Larger flower than the other Scabious I have grown. Lasted well in a vase. I loved it and I will grow lots in 2013.

Flowers in the House

Jane is hosting Flowers in the House today.

I have picked Asters from the garden. The larger blue are Aster frikartii 'Monch'; the small flowers are Aster 'Little Carlow'. The pink were propagated from my Mums garden where they have been growing for at least 37 years.