End of Month View – November 2015
The garden at the end of November reflects my state of mind at the moment. Slightly chaotic and dishevelled! It has been ridiculously mild but over the last few days very wet and windy. So mild that I am struggling to re-engage with the fact that Christmas is but 4 weeks away. Thanks to work and the weather I probably spent less than two or three hours in the garden in recent weeks which probably hasn’t helped with inspiration for blog posts. Hopefully, we will have some drier weekends soon so I can have a bit of a tidy-up.
I am pleased with how the planting along grass pass is progressing. The addition of the grasses, Anemanthele lessoniana, have given a real sense of cohesion to the planting. The majority of the plants you can see, if not all of them, are evergreen so it should look like this all winter with emerging shoots for the spring bulbs adding additional interest over the next month.
The planting along the bottom path is more deciduous so the agapanthus foliage will disappear soon and the roses will lose their leaves but again my predilection for foliage means that there is still interest, in this case from the Melianthus major. I am hoping that with the mild Autumn we have had this plant and the one by the workshop will flower over the winter. I could do with doing a little more dead-heading and tidying of decaying foliage but there isn’t that much to do at the moment.
The bottom path curves round to the edge of the original woodland border. You can see I have done a little tidying here mainly because I have planted a number of bulbs in here and needed to clear some space. It is strange that when planting bulbs everywhere I go to plant them is already occupied with bulbs but come the spring there seems to be gaps all over the place. I need to make some better records and notes this spring I think.
The other end of the woodland border which was very bare last year but is now bulking up well. You can see ‘mega bin’ in the background – my new vast compost bin which is a delight to use. I need to tidy up in front of it and plant some shrubs or put in some sort of screening but I haven’t got around to thinking about that yet. Again I have added lots of narcissus bulbs in here as well as some white variegated honesty so hopefully in the Spring it will look magical.
I don’t think I have got the viewpoint for this photo quite the same as in previous month but it was quite wet and wild. What is interesting, to me, in this photograph is how bare the boundary behind the workshop is. My neighbour has replaced the fence at the end of his garden and to do so he has cut back a big bank of leylandii and other scrubby things so there is more light coming into my garden.
And I shall end with the shot up the first set of steps to the workshop. Again there are lots of evergreen foliage to give interest. I have to say that I didn’t have a plan to include lots of evergreen plants it has just happened over the last year or so probably due to my fascination with interesting foliage.
So that’s my garden at the end of November. To be honest looking at the photographs with a cold clinical eye it isn’t too bad given the time of year and a lot better than this time last year.
It has been a real delight that so many bloggers have chosen to join in with this meme over the years and I do hope you will continue to do so and find it useful. If you would like to join in there are no rules just a request that you link to this post in yours and leave a link to your post in the comment box below.
Next month there will be an End of Year View showing how the borders have changed during the year.
Definitely opened up you garden with the neighbours clearing trees etc! Will you lose shelter? Get more sun? Interesting to see how your plants appreciate it. You don’t appear to have lost privacy tho’!
Thanks for hosting the meme, Helen, I find it so useful to round up every month what’s happened in the garden since last time. My garden looks similar to yours right now – wet with lots of leaves everywhere, I guess we just have to wait for some dried weather. Love that view up to your shed!
Here is the link to my post, with a video from my garden:
http://graphicality-uk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/eomv-from-stormy-london.html
I like the idea of taking a photo at specific angles to show change over time. Very good idea.
I’m also proud enough to admit that I may be stealing the idea! (I’ll give credit!) B-)
Hi Helen
Your garden is looking good, I was particularly interested in your Melianthus Major, I worry about mine getting through the winter a bit and tend to cosset it, maybe I should just let it be.
My EoMR is here http://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2015/11/end-of-month-review-november-2015.html
Hi Helen, I think it’s looking great for the time of year. And you’re right that that the evergreen foliage will provide really good structure and interest through the winter. Meanwhile I too have my fingers crossed that my Melianthus major remains frost free!
Thanks for hosting.
https://duverdiary.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-november-2015/
It has been mild, but very wild and windy. Given the hammering it’s been having, your garden is looking fabulous!
It is such a pleasure to virtually visit all the EOMV gardens each month. There’s inspiration in abundance, and reassurance that other people have similar problems. Helen, you’ve got me wondering about where I could plant more bulbs and thinking how good your Fatsia looks as the focal point in your top picture. Now where could …….
My EOMV is at https://gardenruminations.wordpress.com/
Hi Helen and thank you for hosting this meme.
I thought I lost my Melianthus m. last winter. It didn’t come back in spring. I’m glad I didn’t dig it out, because its new green growth appeared in late August.
My post is here:
http://tanyasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/11/my-garden-through-november.html
My garden looks shamelessly green yet.
your garden is looking good Helen, you should feel pleased, there is a lot more growth and plants since last years November post, lots of new opportunities for planting now your neighbour has removed the leylandii,
I have posted my EoMV, thanks as always for thinking up and hosting this meme, Frances
https://islandthreads.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-november/
Helen, I just left a comment that disappeared when I clicked post, I’ll try again, your garden is looking good, you should be pleased, there is a lot more foliage and plants than last November,
I have posted my EoMV, thanks, Frances
https://islandthreads.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-november/
to try again
The big leaves give a lovely jungley feel and what better to look at over winter. Melianthus is definitely on my list, if I can find a similarly sheltered spot for it. It’s easy to lose track of where bulbs are planted. Even when I remember to leave labels they seem to disappear somehow.
Here’s my link, to a similarly stormy scene..
http://www.rustyduck.net/2015/11/30/blowin-a-hoolie/
Thanks for hosting again this month Helen.
One way to record where your bulbs are already planted is to take a photograph of them when they are in flower (one of the advantages of digital photography, you can take as many pictures as you want and not have to worry about the cost of films and developing).
To those who are worried about the fate of their melianthus – when mine was young, I would pack straw between the stems to give an extra layer of insulation to the roots. I think this plant gets hardier as it gets older (perhaps the roots have gone deeper and are less affected by frost). Even the bad winter of 2010/11 did not affect it.
My bulbs lurk in pots or I’d NEVER find them again.
Just the big ones with their necks above the ground, I have planted out.
And the evergreen Agapanthus.
http://eefalsebay.blogspot.co.za/2015/11/our-false-bay-garden-in-november.html
I’m beginning to really look forward to my monthly virtual visit to all the EOMV gardens. It’s a source of both inspiration and of reassurance.
Bulbs and bold foliage plant as focal point, as in your first picture, are the calls to action in your blog Helen.
My EOMV is here https://gardenruminations.wordpress.com/category/end-of-month-view/
Hi Jim
I am constantly amazed at how popular the EMOV is, I suspect it satisfies our need to have a nose at others gardens
Wow well your garden is looking a heck of a lot better than mine at the moment. I did an end of month view this month – with plenty of reasons to be cheerful… http://sallynex.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-november/
Hi Sally
Glad you are joining in
Even in December, January, and February there is a so much to see, to enjoy in the garden…I really appreciated the photos, they are such a joy.
Hi Charlie
We appreciate even the smallest flower at this time of year don’t we!
I had to smile when reading about your bulb planting endeavours. Despite taking photos and making notes I still manage to dig up bulbs when planting new ones. Maybe we need to photograph the spaces rather than the bulbs! You have lots of really interesting foliage in your garden, Helen. I am gradually getting there too with mine and am enjoying discovering grasses and ferns. Why did it take me so long??
https://myaberdeengarden.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-its-getting-a-bit-like-winter/
Hi Annette
I read somewhere, maybe Christopher LLoyd, that it takes an experience gardener to appreciate foliage. Maybe that’s why we have taken a while to notice it!!
As for bulbs, I take notes photos everything but still fail. I think the bulbs move under ground to catch us out
Yes, that could well be it.
I like very much your end of November garden, Helen!Thank you for such a great idea, it is so nice to immortalize your garden look at the end of each month and at the same time see how other gardens around the world look like.
This is my EOMV link: http://timpingradina.blogspot.ro/2015/12/end-of-month-view-november-2015.html
Dear Anca
Thank you and thank you for joining in
Somewhat later than the end of the month, but a post about my end of month view is https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/end-of-month-view-november. Thanks for hosting, such a useful tool to record progress.
Hi Dorris
Glad you find it useful
I think most of us have the problem of coming across bulbs when planting new ones. Despite my efforts to make a note of positions through pictures and a written note I never get it quite right. I find that for the smaller bulbs bringing them on in pots first helps and when gaps are visible in spring pop them in the ground where they are needed. This would not be practical for mass planting of course.
Your garden is looking great Helen. There is plenty of structure in those evergreens that ties it all together. Something lacking in my garden I think. I wonder how your garden will change due to your neighbours work. We shall find out in future posts no doubt. As usual thanks for hosting this incredibly useful meme.
http://mygardenblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/end-of-month-view-november-2015.html
Hi Angie
The whole growing bulbs on in pots for planting out in spring just never seems to happen here, despite my best intentions. I don’t think the neighbours work will make that much difference as come spring my tree will leaf up and probably reduce any new light. Thanks for joining in with the meme
There is still so much green in your garden Helen, and the structure still remains. I’m sure I usually have swathes of bare earth by this point in the year, but this year has been so mild that there are less gaps and more plants still resolutely standing!
Hi HHG
I think you are right there definitely seems to be more in growth than normally at this time of year. I found myself wondering how I am going to spot the bulbs amongst all the growth
Your neighbour’s new fence and removal (removed, or just cut back? I am guessing removed) of leylandii should make a big difference to your garden, Helen – how exciting! Having the paths splitting up the beds has been such a success and the edges are softening nicely now. Thanks for hosting EOMV – mine was posted from a new tablet while we were away and I wasn’t sure how I could copy a link to your post, but here it is now: https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/end-of-month-view/