Hello, and thank you for your visit here.
Although the festive season is rapidly approaching, I am trying hard not to be pulled into the activities before December begins. Some people are much more organised than I am, but it will likely be Dec 1st when I get started. I have a few things that I can show and share with you then. In the meantime, I still feel the beauty of Autumn days and added this sweet hedgehog to my little display. It is a lovely pattern that I finished in a few days.
On Friday, it was a beautiful, dry, and sunny morning, and I was eager to get outside in the garden. There is always plenty to do out there, and I spent a very pleasant hour or two in the front garden, weeding, pruning, and generally tidying up. By lunchtime, my back was beginning to complain, so reluctantly, I called it a day. Unfortunately, I can't always do as much in one go as I used to, but that's life.
The soil was very wet after some heavy rainfall, so I cut back some undergrowth to reveal bare ground, which will help dry the soil out. There is still plenty more to do in the garden, but that can wait for another day.
While I was outside, I noticed that there were still some lovely colours in the front garden. The Mahonia has been an absolute delight for many years and seems to shrug off the extremes of all weathers and the major pruning it gets fairly regularly from me. When it becomes too tall and ungainly, it gets cut to about 18"/45cm, and within a few weeks, it grows strongly again. This morning, I also spotted the bees enjoying the blooms and nectar.
On the other side of the garden this pretty Hebe has been flowering with pretty lilac blooms. It too has been treated to the same pruning treatment as the Mahonia in the past. It is planted in a raised bed so the drainage is pretty good there.
Another favourite plant at this time of year is the Callicarpa bodinieri (Beauty Bush). It is still a young plant but has survived this year's weather well. It has a long season of interest, with pretty tiny pink flowers and bronze purple young leaves in Summer and these wonderful purple berries in Autumn, which last well into Winter.
Incredibly, these plants are still flowering and fruiting their hearts out in mid-November, but I am thrilled that they are doing so.
As I look ahead to the coming week, the weather forecast is mostly dry days, which means I can get outside for a while. I also have some crafting to work on when daylight starts to fade.
Whatever your plans are this week, enjoy x
Your hedgehog is very sweet and looks lovely in your autumn display. We need some dry days - the ground is sodden. There seems to be no moderation in the weather . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you. The hedgehog was a sweet distraction from the rainy days. Tomorrow looks wet here but after that we might get a few dry days. Here's hoping anyway x
DeleteI love the hedgehog! My plans are work and make sure everything is sorted for my next trip.
ReplyDeleteThe hedgehog is rather cute isn't he. Hope work goes ok. I enjoyed seeing your pictures of Valkohieta beach when you were with your friend in Finland. It looks amazing. I wonder where you will be travelling next?
DeleteHe is absolutely adorable, thank you so much for the link. Perfect for using up a bit more stash.
ReplyDeleteI need to spend some time in the garden - when we get a run of dry weather. There's a lot of clearing that needs doing. xx
I'm glad you liked the hedgehog. I used size 11/ 3mm to make him a bit firmer with the DK yarn I was using but you could experiment to see what works best for you. I might make another one so he has a friend :-)
DeleteI love your hedgehog, I'm not a fan of knitting loops. Your garden looks very colourful, I have often thought of the plant with the purple berries, yours is stunning.
ReplyDeleteHe is rather sweet isn't he. I'm not keen on knitting loops either so this pattern which is just based on knit and purl stitches was perfect.
DeleteThe Callicarpa is such a lovely plant and those berries should last into next year.
Love the knitting! So cute...and love the purple berries!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Thank you Donna.
DeleteHave a great week x
That hedgehog is a real cutie.. yes we still have colour in our garden, but a bit wet at the moment.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere seems soggy at the moment doesn't it. It does look better for the rest of the week here though. Hedgehog was very quick and easy to make and i agree he is cute.
DeleteHave a good week, Chris x
Love the hedgehog he’s perfect. My mahonia is just coming into flower. Such a worthwhile plant at this time of year. B x
ReplyDeleteI do love the Mahonia with its yellow flowers and black berries. It has such a long season of interest. Even when they have gone there are always the evergreen leaves, although they are very prickly!
DeleteThank you for the hedgehog comment :-)
The hedgehog is cute and the acorns are so wonderful... we have them in large numbers on the way to the forest and in the forest too...
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the mood for autumn, even though the first frost is supposed to come tomorrow! I'll check the weather again this evening and then maybe cut off all the roses and put them in the vase...
Rain is also forecast here... maybe an end to the beautiful weather? It would then be normal November weather - I don't want to complain :-)))
The colors in your garden are beautiful.
Enjoy!!!
And yes, we still do gardening... yes, we enjoy doing it... at least we let ourselves enjoy it for now :-)))
Hug Viola
Thank you for your kind comment about the hedgehog and my little Autumn display. It's raining here at the moment but if it stops I shall go out in the garden for a bit more tidying up. Have a lovely week x
DeleteAwww, the little hedgehog is so cute. You still have plenty of colour in your garden, hard to believe it's November when you see so many flowers. My garden is still in its infancy, I hope I can get some colour in it the year round eventually.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo. He is sweet isn't he.
DeleteIt does take time to plan and fill a garden with colour and interest all year but it pays to take your time. Even then I've made mistakes or changed my mind. I'm sure your garden will mature into a wonderful and colourful place spend time in.
Beautiful color still. I'm pea green with envy, we have nothing still providing color here. YOur hedgehog is very cute.
ReplyDeleteThe little hedgehog thanks you for being so kind about him :-)
DeleteAnd I hope it won't be too long before there is colour back in your garden. Enjoy the rest of the week x
I am always surprised about the long lasting flowers late in November. We still have have some bright yellow Rudbeckia, warming my soul. I won't get started with Christmas preparations until about a week before, except putting chocolates in our advent calendar that is. Enjoy the rest of your week x
ReplyDeleteMy Rudbeckia are feeling a bit sad now. They were lovely a few weeks ago but they have gone past their best for this year. They are a cheery flower though. D is the only one in the family who has been motivated to get on with some Christmas prep so far. I'm not there yet! Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend x
DeleteLoved the hedgehog with its pumpkin and acorns. So clever and very pretty! Pretty flowers too, a last gift until it’s time to bloom again next spring. It rained all day here yesterday, but the sun is shining today.
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise. The Autumn display is now in our hallway for another week or two and then I shall change it for something more wintery or Christmassy. I wonder how long I can keep the colour in the garden going for? The front garden patch has certainly made me very happy this year.
DeleteI love the hedgehog, it goes so well with your growing fall display. I think beautyberry is so cool, the bright purple berries on the bare sticks is so unique!
ReplyDeleteYes, the display although only started this year, has been a fun activity that I can add more to next year.
DeleteThere are lots of yellow, orange and red berries around but the beautyberry dares to be different with purple berries.
That little hedgehog looks lovely in your autumn display. I could imagine a whole host of them! Your garden plants are looking very healthy. I'm not ready for Christmas yet this year. I am still clinging on to the autumn which has passed far too quickly! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone. I might try using different size needles and yarn to get alternate hedgehog sizes next time. Like you I shall try to enjoy a little while longer in Autumn before Christmas arrives x
DeleteI love the little hedgehog. Thank you for identifying the Beauty Bush. I saw one in a garden the other day and thought how lovely it looked, now I know what it is:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosie. The Beauty Bush (Callicarpa) is a lovely plant and certainly brightens up any dull November day. Have a good weekend whatever your plans are x
DeleteThere is still plenty of gorgeous colour in your autumn garden, Beverley. Mine always looks quite sad at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe little hedgehog is so cute. Xx
Thank you for your kind comment Jules. The hedgehog was a satisfying quick knit to make.
DeleteI planted some Winter pansies in the back this week to try and keep the colour going for as long as possible. Even when the flowers are not colourful I still enjoy the evergreen foliage colours and shapes. Have a great weekend xx
Still, the color is stunning.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to read my most recent post.
What lovely colour you still have in your garden. I love those bushes with the purple berries. I must buy one. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo. The plants are quite a show stopper aren't they.
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