2nd January. I was trying to keep my spirits up this morning by assessing what is looking good in my garden. I have variegated golden and green shrubs which always look sunny even when its dull. Some red cornus stems though they need some light to bring out the colour.
Several plants are still holding their coloured autumn leaves. A container has two very lush clumps of diascia foliage. Cant believe it has survived the frosts.
Primroses are in flower in a few places and the winter heathers are beginning to colour up. Outside my front door is a variegated holly with lots of berries, surprised the birds haven't taken those.
But no blue sky - there was a glimpse earlier but it's gone now. I have two nice winter gardens near me at Mottisfont and Hilliers Arboretum which have influenced my choice of plants over the years. Used to be favourite visits to cheer me up this time of year but both seem too daunting to attempt now.
Tessa
Hi Friends
Just wanted to show you my seedlings and young plants being protected in the greenhouse until such time as it'll be safe to put them into pots, troughs or flower beds when the risk of frost has passed.
Also, I'm putting on a photo of my project in the vegetable plot at the top of my garden. The photo is of the project before the work has started. I'm planning about 6 deep (about 2-3ft deep) beds with paths between them 3ft wide to accommodate either my motorised scooter or manual wheelchair. I'll be growing potatoes, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, peas, beans, lettuces, tomatoes to name just a few!
I may have a blood cancer, I may have spinal stenosis, haemachromatosis, severe arthritis and ulnar nerves trapped in both elbows but that isn't going to stop me and my wife from tackling this. We have 2 beds finished but I'll save those pics for another time. Maybe I'll put one in? Or maybe the post will be too large to upload, we'll see.
Tvman xx
PS spot the little rooster in the bottom photo, I like little quirky things like that 
Here is the first of the orange poppies to flower. There a patch of furry buds, you can see them, just waiting to burst open. They last only a day or so each but oh! They are joyous. I love the clash with the rhododendron just behind. It’s a deciduous variety and is flowering well this year. I had to nurse it back to health last year after that dry, dry summer we had in the south east.
tvman it makes me ache even to look at your project. Slowly does it.
Hi
Such a vibrant orange, it's truly beautiful. I'm a great fan of poppies, I had a few across the road inside the gate to the field and they self seeded until there were around 30. Then a friend asked to keep his horse there and now there are none 
Your day yesterday sounded idyllic. Back to the olden days as we used to say.
Take care and keep safe Daloni
Tvman xx
Hi friends, me again.
I took this photo of the apple tree outside our bedroom, it has a fantastic profusion of blooms this year. I hope the bees and other insects get busy with the pollination process and the apples are great.
Tvman xx
Wonderful keep the Bees busy.what a lovely view you have.
