Autumn has ebbed and flowed through the gardens since we last spoke, borne on the unstoppable tide of winter.
Autumn fades into winter – Mellow autumn shades
November saw the last of the fig leaves turn to the soft mellow shades of autumn before falling to gently drift across the lawns. Yet through the somnolence of decay the new bulbs, as confused as any beings by our seasons, started to show with tender green promises.
Garden walks
The garden walks beckoned occasionally in November, with a gentle dapple of sunlight. Yet as autumn fades into winter, so the garden colours have gently faded to the silver light of winter.
Short December days in the garden
The short days of December saw the fade light and the garden settled down to dream.
The bustle of life in our winter gardens
Nevertheless life bustled and scurried around the very bones of the Ednovean garden.
Each becomes characters on the gardens stage, nurtured within the shelter. The trio intrepid of rabbits that mount an expedition from the safety of the Olive trees each day. They raid the sweet grass of the lower lawns, before bobbing away, white tails flashing, at the first sign of an invading human. The tiny robin who keeps us company as we garden has his very own bird feeder. Because birds are fussy about territory and the courtyard feeding stations are a long way off! He lands with an audible flurry of wings and feathers as I start to replenish his supply very nearly brushing my feet with his enthusiasm to reach the rich seeds.
Sweet song of winter
In the courtyards beside the house we have a jostling flock of sparrows, blue tits, robins and more. One robin has claimed the stables as his own and feasts on the grain the horses’ spill, before flying up into the rafters to sing the sweet song of winter to us.
Our garden year
My next garden diary will look back over the garden year but first of all, let me lend you a garden dream of sunset to lighten the dark days of winter.
