Waterford, south-east Ireland. 12th December 2020
It is a time of the year when it is very easy to slip into a negative attitude towards the garden. The weather is wet, cold and generally miserable and going to the garden is not always the most attractive option. The arrival of three beautiful gardening books one day during the week certainly weakened my resolve and I opted for the warmth of indoors and some armchair gardening.
The autumn clear-up can drag on into winter when some of the material destined for the compost bin has deteriorated into a soggy mess, wet and cold and hard on the hands which have to deal with it. It can be difficult to face the work. And, this is also that in-between time when the highlights of summer are a distant memory, the glory of autumn is well gone and the promise of spring just doesn’t seem to be quite strong enough to buoy up our spirits. It is the time of the year when I long to see the snowdrops appear in the garden as they give me an ongoing interest through the winter months, a reason to make sure the beds have been well cleared and all ready for the coming year. Thankfully, the snowdrop season is well under way and those which flower reliably before Christmas are already brightening the garden. Check them out here!
The weather is as the weather is at this time of the year – changeable! One day can bring frost, sunshine, rain and fog and we have had to take advantage of a few hours here and there to do a little in the garden. Fog and frost provide opportunities for photographs in the garden, showing the garden in a different way, a different view.
Here we are with a frosty start to the day. We are fortunate that our climate is quite mild and frosts are generally light. Snow is very uncommon and the white of the frost is the nearest we usually get to the traditional winter scene:
Fog is much more common with us, especially so as the garden is very close to the river. It can bring an eerie atmosphere:
Bare ground might not seem particularly appealing but it does bear witness to the completion of the autumn clear-up of beds and borders and provides a clean starting point for emerging spring plants. I’ve put out compost here and there; it’s a case of taking the beds in turns – one bed this year, another the following and elsewhere as needed. I like to use leafmould in areas with lots of snowdrops as I think it suits them better though some areas collect a good depth of leaves naturally – prevailing winds, I suppose.
What does one do on these dull days! Well, of course, it is possible to turn to the fruit collected last week, the medlars which had been brought into the warmth of the house to continue their softening and ripening in preparation for making Medlar Jelly. It is a very simple and very satisfying process: the medlars are covered with water and simmered gently until softened. All is poured into a jelly bag to strain and provide a clear liquid. Sugar is added: 450g per 600ml, dissolved and all brought to the boil and boiled until setting point is reached. The jelly is poured into jars and held, ready for use.
Bergenia ‘Ballawley’ defies the normal progression of autumn into winter as it gives a display which is bright enough and colourful enough to match anything that summer might offer. The cold weather triggers a dramatic and perfectly attractive change in the colour of the leaves and, compared with other bergenias which also colour in autumn/winter, ‘Ballawley’ holds onto this display for much longer.
Finally, for this week, a tree I like very much. It was bred by the late John Buckley, Birdhill, Co. Tipperary, who crossed Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’ with Betula costata – that tan colour of the bark from B. costata comes through very nicely in winter. The bark colour is certainly as interesting as ‘Jacquemontii’ and the foliage most colours far better in autumn. I received this tree from John himself so it is especially dear to me. At this time of year the early morning light catches the trunk and I can enjoy the view from the comfort of the house.
I hope you are all keeping well. These days of Covid19 are trying on us all and it is good to have a garden to occupy us and give us a pastime. Finally, a book recommendation from this week’s reading: The Modern Cottage Garden
I’m sharing this blog with a group of fellow bloggers who contribute to a “Six on Saturday” theme which is hosted by “The Propagator” on his blog site. To read more contributions to the Six on Saturday theme go to The Propagator’s entry for today, scroll down to the comments and you will find other bloggers have posted links to their Saturday entries there. Lots to read!
I use Twitter occasionally:
Well I am very tempted to wander around your garden, however wet and cold it might be. It looks lovely! As does the medlar jelly. 🙂
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The jelly was a beautiful success – tested on scones!
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Your photos never disappoint. I used to be part of a social enterprise making and selling jams and chutneys for people with mental health issues and found the process of making the products really therapeutic.
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Yes, it’s a pleasant task.
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Paddy the frosty morning really shows up the structure of your garden! Today is a reasonably pleasant day so I’m off out to tackle some more border clearing. Some of my borders collect so many leaves that I hafe to thin them out so they don’t smother what’s underneath!
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There is a corner of our garden where the leaves collect also but I leave them as they fall. They are very good for snowdrops
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The tree bark on the birch is lovely, and your medlar jelly (which I’ve not come across before) looks pretty good too!
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The medlar jelly is well worth trying.
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This hanging jelly bag is very smart. I’ve never seen anything like it, I burn my fingers when I use mine.
Still beautiful photos of betula barks as for the red leaves of bergenia ( Mine is in bloom, green leaves with snail holes but there’s the common variety )
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Yes, the jelly bag stand has had good use over the years. We got it from Lakelands, to the best of my memory.
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What a lovely golden colour that Medlar jelly is, I have never had it. I made grape jelly in the summer and am handing jars out as Christmas presents. Lovely betula bark.
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It’s one you should try.
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Some of your fog has made its way across the ocean. It is foggy in my town right now. I’m enjoying looking at it as I sip on coffee.
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Yes, good to look at it from the comfort of the house.
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I’ve followed your Twitter. It’s a thing I don’t really understand, but sure, I learn a bit day by day.
The garden has a strange beauty in fo, Paddy. Really interesting. Never heard of medlar. Is it a tree or shrub, fruit or vegetable? I’m guessing fruit.
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Twitter doesn’t attract me but there are a few people there who have a similar interest, wildflowers/native orchids, so it is a good way to keep in touch with new findings etc. Yes, Medlar is a fruit tree, Mespilus germanica. I grew it from seed some years back. It isn’t especially attractive but I like the jelly.
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That’s as good a reason as any.
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Those views of your garden are fabulous. You summed up this time of year perfectly!
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This time of year – Miserable! LOL
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Paddy – your garden is so beautiful. It was lovely to see all those wide shots. I did of course pop over to your snowdrop post. Like you they help me get me through winter. Good to see your ‘Three Ships’ – it’s one of my favourites.
Is it true that Medlars need to go mushy in order to be ripe?
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The snowdrops can be frustrating at this time of year. They come up and into flower but the days often do not heat sufficiently for the flowers to open – a reason to bring a few to be enjoyed indoors.
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Lovely photos, as always. I haven’t tasted medlar jelly or seen them growing. I hope it’s more tasty than my crabapple jelly this year.
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It’s very nice.
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As always a sheer delight to read and as always little pricks of conscience on realising how little i have done in comparison. But the pleasure is far greater then the pricks! Many thanks. Keep them coming.
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As ever, Peter, you are too kind in your comments. I hope all is well with you and that you can take shelter from the gales which are forecast for tonight.
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The jewel colour of the medlar jelly is so luxurious. Wonderful, as is the beautiful photo tour of the frosted garden. No frosts here, just rain, rain, rain. Beautiful snowdrops too. I planted 300 of the standard type last year so I’m impatient to see the results. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
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