Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

[SugarPlumTree]

Potting shed thread for those who enjoy talking about gardens and plants. Plenty of garden chairs and the wood burner lit now there is a chill in the air, please join us !

Hello everyone.
I'm a namechanger - was here on the thread back in the autumn.

Am popping back to see what everyone else has got blooming and also to ask for ideas as to what I could plant under my soft fruit (gooseberries and red, white and black currants) that I've just put in.

I thought about bulbs but the garden is already pretty generously supplied with spring bulbs.

Hello, Countess.

::curtseys::

I don't have much in bloom now, although some of the fuchsias, pelargoniums and osteospermums are gamely carrying on. There are some cyclamen somewhere in the undergrowth.

For underplanting, my favourites are always hardy geraniums and heucheras. (I am a bit obsessive about them). Vinca is good too, if you don't mind it spreading.

Hello Countess. It's best to avoid underplanting fruit as it takes nutrients away that would go into the crop. Spring bulbs are ok, but any more vigorous is in advisable. How about some bulbs that you don't already have? Scilla? Chionodoxa? Winter aconites? Unusual miniature daffs or species tulips?

Maud & Ppeatfruit - thanks for the good luck wishes. The interview was a bit chaotic (them, not me) so I'll just wait and see.

Welcome back countess. The only plants flowering in my garden at the mo are yellow jasmine, cyclamen and viburnum tinus.

Here are some before and after photos of my new slate patio, DH and I am very excited about it. I'm looking forward to refilling it with lovely colourful pots. DH wants to keep it clear except for garden furniture. We'll see who wins

Very smart, NANN. Hope you get a positive response to your interview!

Very smart. It will look even better with the pots on though

What a lovely patio, but you are right: it needs pots! Good luck on the job front.

Lovely patio and I love that the edge of it is also covered in slate. (I think I need to do that with my runway raised garden path). Depending on what garden furniture you have, the patio could look a little stark. Some beautiful plants in pots will add softness.

We're not worthy ma'am!! Countess I'm really pleased that I've rejuvenated part of my rockery type front garden (well it's All front actually ) because it's the first time I've planted penstemons and to my amazement they're still blooming ! As are my new white hydrangeas and a couple of odd roses.

Come on everyone tell me about your Xmas tree I've given up on them and got a lovely medium sized cut pine. I tried to saw the end off, but made enough holes in it cutting off the base branches which I'll use for decs., so it can suck up the water in a water butt, we'll put it up the day before Christmas Eve.

Thank you so much Maudant and Rhubarb, that's excellent advice re the underplanting. I don't yet know exactly what bulbs are in the garden (we moved in summer) though I know there are lots.

NANN your patio is GORGEOUS. It's going to look amazing with plants, especially with the trellising at the back grown up.

I am happy because I just got my hyacinths up out of the cellar and they haven't died - I haven't been able to get in there for weeks because the plumbers doing our new bathroom had stacked their stuff in the way. They won't be flowering for Xmas but at least they're not dead.

Xmas tree - our great revelation this year was that you can get stands for them. DH was wrestling with a bucket and trying to chock it in with bits of firewood to make it stand up straight and I noticed the label advised using a stand so I went out and got one, and 'twas but the work of a moment to make it straight.

The slate looks fab nann did you decide on straight or curved path yet? We've stuck with the original paths at our house which is a T shape, just seemed too much like hard work to move it, although the garden is cut in half I suppose.
Good luck on the job front.

Welcome back countess

I have 4 baby hellebore plants from crocus, I wonder how long before they flower - I'm so tempted to splurge on a mature one.

Dd1 now finished school forgot to take in her teacher present Christmas cacti (2 for £3 at lidl) they are looking very cheery on the kitchen windowsill I might keep them

I have some lovely green hellebores in the garden. They confused me because they're in with the peonies and the leaves are quite similar so I spent ages thinking they were special kind of peony that flowers in the winter

Thank you for all the good luck wishes & patio love, I am glad you agree about the pots.

Countess - I haven't been v successful at growing things up the trellis. Any ideas for climbers which do well in pots and don't mind dappled shade or being showered with conifer needles?

Ppeat - your front garden sounds lovely. Any chance of some photos?

Camel - curved with a big oval shaped lawn to the left and bigger flower bed to the right. I I have to wait until the extension is complete before I move onto the path and patio area outside the house. Time will tell if we can afford it by then...

Next year I've decided I am going to buy lots of white hellebores.

I have a lovely 7ft Xmas tree which is decorated with fir cones. It's completely plastic

Hi Countess . Love the patio NAAN, that will be lovely in the summer.

Not much out in my garden apart from cyclamem and vibernum. Two fairly mature hellebore I stuck in last year have vanished which is very annoying.

I've spent the last two days flat out working to get all the Christmas orders out for the last post. Time now to make myself a wreath as my door doesn't look very festive at all and I want to make something for the table. This time of year I am grateful the previous owners planted Holly and Ivy.

NANN I've got the 'bit' you need for my new phone to store photos but I haven't got round to putting it in yet (or getting dh to do it ).

I'm not very techie I'm afraid!

I 'refresh' or 'reuse' my old wreaths .

Mine is one of those Oasis ones which after 4 years or do has more holes then foam! Picked up a new one earlier, just need to chuck things in.

Oh yes I hate oasis mil used to swear by the stuff!

I think Oasis etc. has its place. I decided to do a floral one this year and it is good for that. Wish I'd bought some nice ribbon, had to improvise.

Oh, that's lovely. Makes me feel a bit ashamed that I've just reused last year's shop-bought thing, but I suppose I can pass it off as recycling.

Snap Maud It is pretty sugar. I'm taking my time; decorating was thurs and fri. (not greenery though) today was xmas pud and mince pies making day with everything home made, I will add stealth boastfully!

Oh and market day this morning for holly ,mistletoe, honesty and a bunch of christmas roses from my lovely old market lady! I'll arrange them tomorrow .

I think recycling is better. I just happen to have a garage full of flowers, some of which need using, hence the wreath.

I enjoyed making it though so am now making a garland from foliage and in theory dried orange slices - not feeling too hopeful about them as they are in the oven and looking a little black around the edges.

Might add some chillies as have some in the greenhouse. I have a little Skimmia that was bought about 14 years ago fit old house. It never went in and lived in a pot. Finally stuck it in a couple of years ago and it has taken. Some attractive red er, flower buds I think they are.

After a world of shit (excuse my language) for the last couple of years with sick parents and redundancies, family fall outs, it is lovely to end the year making the house look nice with the sound of my children laughing in the other room, gives me a warm glow. I feel I should be drinking mulled wine but haven't got any but here's some a virtual one for us all

Whilst out cutting stuff earlier I could see little green shoots emerging through the soil which was good to see, won't be long until we are discussing snowdrops

Sugar that is gorgeous. I love it. I'm glad that christmas is cheering you up.

My snowdrops are almost out! There are some daffs flowering outside ds's nursery, and my crocuses are poking their noses up in the pots.

Thank you Rhubarb. My snowdrops need a talking to then, don't think there is any sign - I shall inspect later and the lawn where I chucked in a load of crocuses.

Wonder if those Taff's by your DD'S nursery are those Rinjveld early sensation ones (or whatever they are called) someone (Geoff?) Mentioned previously? I planted some of them and think they might be the shoots I saw.

I have flowers on my Clematis freckles. That is an exaggeration to be fair, there's one flower. One of thd Sarah Raven Winter joy perennial wallflowers has a flower as well.

Made the garland which was surprisingly easy - thin rope, wire and foliage. It's up and looks great. Definitely one to repeat.

Ooh can we have a pic of the garland?

They could well be Rijnveld Early Sensation. They are by the road at the end of the drive so I only see them from the car and haven't had the opportunity to inspect them properly.

of the Freckles, after mine vanished into thin air. Or slug's mouths, more likely.

Anna Pavord's page in the Independent yesterday was about making garlands and table decorations. I might have a go at the candles in flowerpots, as I have plenty of both.

I must go outside and see what has happened to my Freckles (which might in fact be Jingle Bells) and various snowdrops.