We are heading into my least favourite time of year when the clocks fall back tomorrow and it will be dark by 5:30 pm. I should have been born a bear so I could hibernate now until spring.
After a fairly soggy week in which I did just manage to get the lawn mowed, but not edged, let’s see what the garden has to offer.
First some new garden items (belated birthday present). A pair of Niwaki garden snips as I managed to lose mine (again) recently – they probably went into the bin like the previous pair. I hope I don’t lose these ones though as they were twice the price and feel very comfortable! I also treated myself to a Niwaki Sharpening Stone to give all my secateurs a good sharpening. Not sure how good I’ll be at this, but there is a video on the Niwaki site to help.
Last week’s mystery flower has managed to produce some petals. I don’t recognise it as any Cosmos I have previously grown does anyone know the name? A bit wet and I’m not sure all of the other buds will be successful.
The Starlings are back and I noticed that they were happily tucking into the seeds of the flowers on next door’s Cornish palm, I have never seen them do this before, but then I am not sure it is usually in flower at this time of the year. If you look closely at the header photo you might just make out three of them.
Jim of Garden Ruminations is now our host and as a former nurseryman has a lot more than the SOS happening over on his blog so well worth following. As always, if you want a peek over other people’s garden walls then please pop over to his site where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world. See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
Graham Thomas is lovely with the rain drops. I’ll join you in the hibernation plans. It is something I have often wanted to do.
The zen garden looks lovely despite the rain. I think Joshua featured Niwaki garden secateurs in an SoS once. Very nice indeed. I lost my favourite pair of edging sheers a few years ago – presumably thrown out in the green waste. My wedding ring almost suffered the same fate.
Ah, yes rings. I lost a pretty garnet ring which had belonged to my grandmother in a garden. Now I don’t wear rings.
I like those starlings – noisy things but great characters I think! Gosh how big is your Fatsia? Am concerned as I recently bought one for a pot! Does it grow fast? Nice to have something so fresh looking through winter.
My fatsia has been cut back hard every year! Currently about 2m high and about 1.5m wide. Maybe in a pot it won’t grow too big?
Wow that’s a lot. Here’s hoping! 😂
Fabulous photos of the starlings, who don’t seem to visit us here. I’m another one who hates these shorter days and I think your hibernation plan is a good one.
Love the fuchsia and of course the rose. We have a fatsia at the back of the house and I also love those flowers. The bees love it here – there is a big bush in the Botanic Gardens that is always covered in bees.
Can’t help with the cosmos, sorry. I like the look of those Niwaki snips but I think they’d last about a week in my garden before I’d misplaced them!
The mystery flower is quite pretty.
I chuckled at you losing secateurs, because it’s a common fault with me too…..well not only secateurs, trowels, daisy grubbers, you name it, I’ve lost them! Mr S despairs. Your new ones look great though. The mystery flower is very unusual but very pretty!
Love to see the wider views of your garden too Jude – that impressive gravel area and the semi shade garden. Niwakis are on my wishlist – no Japanesque garden is going to be complete without them 😉
Indeed. They have some rather nice products on their site.