We have had a “proper” frost on Thursday night, as opposed to a couple of air frosts about three weeks ago, which is only about 10 days earlier than last year. It caused little damage even on the north side of the house but tells me that I have probably run out of options for a while for Six on Saturday.
I found a clump of clematis flowers hiding in amongst the honeysuckle and rambling rose that cover a boundary fence.
I have a few baskets on the north facing front of my house where at one time I would have used impatiens but find begonias an excellent substitute. Mia culpa, I no longer have the facilities to raise bedding so have to buy in plugs. The one I have always used is Begonia ‘Illumination’ Strain, Apricot Shades although I must admit they haven’t done as well this year which I put down to a very slow start.
Young primula plants which should be planted out by now but I have nowhere to put them. I always have this problem, even when I had a much bigger plot, I always over-produced. I get the most satisfaction from raising plants from seed, particularly the more difficult ones. Every year I would be inundated with seedlings as a consequence of taking advantage of various plant society’s surplus seed offers such as those from the Scottish Rock Garden Club. I will be ordering again this year, but no lucky dips!
Always had a place for a few hydrangeas but I inherited this one. Two out of three I brought with me were decimated by frost in their first winter and didn’t flower the following year so rather than risk a repeat I discarded them. It sounds a bit harsh but space is at a premium.
Mahonia buds waiting to come into flower. I like mahonias but can never tell when they will flower, I have had the same plant come into flower in October and even March in the past, this one came into flower last year whilst the bedding was still going strong but I doubt it will happen this time.
Despite the popularity of many salvia cultivars, I grow them myself but only have one that comes through the winter every year, the common or garden sage still looks good with its grey young leaves at this time of the year. This one is growing through a crack in the paving and I get the scent when I deliberately knock it in passing.
This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.
A Plantsman's World 
I was actually surprised to hear about the first frosts in the UK. It’s much earlier than other years I think? Here, we’re still a little quiet thankfully.
I can’t wait to see the yellow mahonia flowers!
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You are correct, the frosts are early although I make it only 10 days earlier than last year. The fact that I sit literally on the boundary of the Peak District National Park may have something to do with it, although I know it has been widespread this year. In my last garden when the mahonias flowered in the spring the bluetits used to descend and strip the yellow flowers.
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The hydrangea is gorgeous and the mahonia is going to look fabulous. You have the opposite problem to me when it comes to seedlings: I never seem to have any success at all when growing things from seed, I really must work out what I’m doing wrong.
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Thank you Helen, I always look forward to the mahonia flowering myself. All my seeds are cold sown now because I only raise hardy plants and do not have the facilities to do anything else so it is easier. The secret is fresh seed which is why I buy from societies.
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Sounds like that’s where I’ve been going wrong, i.e. I’ve not been using fresh enough seed. Most of the seeds I’ve tried have been freebies passed on to me by my father-in-law.
Perhaps I’ll try again with some of the seed I purchased earlier this year from a reputable supplier. I only have a (cold) lean-to type greenhouse and, like you, only want to raise hardy plants, I don’t have the patience for the more delicate ones!
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Even in Wisconsin we have yet to have had a first frost, but it is coming, no doubt. We had mahonia in my allotment in Seattle, where the upper slope had native plants and a few fruit trees/shrubs to hold the soil. The plots were on a terraced section further down the hill. It is a lovely plant. I also love the purple clematis. I am debating what to do where I just removed two old lilacs that were not performing. I have all winter to decide, though the garden center across the street has shrubs for 50% off, which is tempting. The lilacs were part of a mixed hedge. I put in one lilac (common purple) and replaced two with a native elderberry, but now need to fill in the gap. We shall see!
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I love mahonias but learnt never to go hand weeding near them without wearing heavy gloves, the spines on the fallen leaves are lethal! There is nothing worse than coming across bargains, they are so tempting particularly when you find you have nowhere to plant them when you get home.
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Beautiful samples for your “Six.” I’m surprised you’ve had frost already. We are about to get our first frost in a couple of days. I’m not ready for it yet. 😦 Your Mahonia and Hydrangea shrubs are beautiful. Happy Six and Happy Autumn!
Beth @ PlantPostings.com
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Thank you Beth, the frost has only half done its job here leaving all the tender bedding plants down but not out so everywhere looks a bit neglected. I will start emptying the containers next week because I have decided to plant them up with perennials and maybe a few bulbs and only use tender plants for the baskets next year.
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Lovely Six. The Mahonia will be a great shot of colour when it flowers. We had ice on the windscreen this week but the garden seems unaffected.
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Thank you, can’t wait for the mahonia to flower, another sign winter is definitely here.
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