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!

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42 comments:

  1. Jo16 January 2015 at 15:30

    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. Amy at love made my home16 January 2015 at 16:21

    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. Linda CP16 January 2015 at 16:48

    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. Anonymous16 January 2015 at 17:22

    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. Irene16 January 2015 at 17:56

    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. Olann - Wolle und mehr16 January 2015 at 19:56

    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. Unknown16 January 2015 at 20:06

    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. Meredith16 January 2015 at 21:36

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

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  9. Chris16 January 2015 at 23:08

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

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  10. Jennifer Hays16 January 2015 at 23:13

    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. Jill at emeraldcottage16 January 2015 at 23:59

    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. handmade by amalia17 January 2015 at 06:04

    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. tlcukjourney17 January 2015 at 06:31

    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. Jo@awholeplotoflove17 January 2015 at 09:11

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

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  15. Jodiebodie17 January 2015 at 11:53

    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. Gillian17 January 2015 at 14:22

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

      Delete
  16. Géraldine B.17 January 2015 at 13:26

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

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  17. Reginas Cottage17 January 2015 at 13:47

    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. Anita18 January 2015 at 02:39

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

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  19. Eleanor Ferguson18 January 2015 at 09:24

    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. Unknown19 January 2015 at 14:36

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

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  21. Rustic Vintage Country19 January 2015 at 17:47

    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. Gillian19 January 2015 at 20:08

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

      Delete
  22. tree19 January 2015 at 18:39

    Beautiful garden. Makes me excited for spring.

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  23. l.wilks1119 January 2015 at 21:46

    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. Marco Luijken20 January 2015 at 09:30

    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. Marcela Gmd20 January 2015 at 12:01

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marcela Gmd20 January 2015 at 12:41

      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!!!:)))

      Delete
  26. CJ20 January 2015 at 14:27

    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. Irene20 January 2015 at 15:01

    Hello Gillian

    Many congratulations on you pink bunny win.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    Replies
    1. Gillian20 January 2015 at 15:15

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

      Delete
  28. Mirela Imsirovic20 January 2015 at 15:26

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

    http://mylovelyfashionbih.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Unknown20 January 2015 at 17:04

    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. Ingrid K.20 January 2015 at 18:00

    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

    ReplyDelete
  31. sweetbriardreams20 January 2015 at 18:35

    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. ...Nina Nixon...21 January 2015 at 12:39

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

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  33. Helen Philipps21 January 2015 at 18:45

    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. Redecórate con Lola Godoy21 January 2015 at 21:58

    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

    ReplyDelete
  35. Leanne M22 January 2015 at 07:53

    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. Mrs Twins 22 January 2015 at 10:24

    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. Anonymous22 January 2015 at 14:47

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

    ReplyDelete

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