Swan View wildlife update

With the mild spell a couple of weeks ago we saw that our wild hedgehog Reggie was visiting regularly having woken from his winter sleep. 

Then with the weather turning so very cold we have been concerned about him and I spoke with the wildlife rescue centre and they recommended weighing him. If he was more than 600 grams then he should be ok. 

Well last night was the night we managed to stay awake and Reggie was duly lifted into the scales and was between 800 and 900 grams - a great relief. 

Mike then set the camera up and we were even more delighted to see that he continued to stay in the garden following the indignity of the weighing scales and he ate all the food we left out for him!! 

Leaving out fresh water was important but it quickly iced over and we are thinking of getting a poultry water heater pad to stop the water freezing during these cold snaps.

Sarah & Mike

Guy & Mary's garden in December

 On 15th December, I took some photos of plants still in flower and was planning to ask others to post what was still in flower in their gardens. I lost the chance and we have had frost, & all changed!

It does seem, when the sun is out briefly, that life and Spring might be returning to gardens - early?

So, a few shots now. Some Snowdrops, Mrs McNamara ,for instance, have been out for some weeks, and are going over. Others, S Arnott, Straffan, Magnet, are taking over, some just jumping up.

The iris reticulata are pushing through.

As we have no green house, although a friend in the village, has let me put some things in hers. Pelargoniums, I am covering with sacking each night. Lots of manure has gone on the beds, and I’ve put Christmas tree bows around the roots of Salvia, Fuschia, Canna etc.

If we have a few bright days ,I plan to cut everything down to about a foot, and cover with fleece - the advantage of a tiny garden, but one could do-this on special beds, as February can be quite brutal.

The tanks have been planted with Quince trees and Richard Robinson has given me 2 rose cuttings.This rose is on the wall, against Elizabeth’s cottage .We never did establish the name, and Richard has also tried.We will try again, if it gets going .

It is old rose, magenta, with few thorns. It is already sprouting well.

Best Wishes,

Guy and Mary

Joys of the Winter garden

How refreshing to be assailed by an unexpected and sweet fragrance on a cold winters day. 
Sarcococca also known as Christmas Box or Winter Box....one of my favourite plants in the garden with its dark green foliage, shiny black berries and creamy white scented flowers. (Picture from Sarah and Mike’s garden)

Also sweetly scented and currently in bloom Coronila Glaica Citrina another lovely evergreen scented plant for winter (Pam’s garden)

The Daphnes are in flower again at The Old Brew House and pictured here are three of them.
Daphne odora 
Daphne bholua Limpsfield
Daphne Jaqueline Postil

Adorable Winter Aconites a welcome source of early colour along with the first of the Crocus (also Old Brew House)

Snowdrops pictured at the Old Brew House

Ah hush! Tread softly through the rime,
For there will be a blackbird singing, or a thrush
Like coloured beads the elm buds flush: 
All the trees dream of leaves and flowers and light
And see! The northern bank is much more white
Than frosty grass, for now is snowdrop time
Mary Webb, ‘Snowdrop time’
Mature trees and a beautifully structured Winter garden at Brooklands with Box globes and Bay trees and also a gorgeously scented garden with evergreen Daphne.

Kind thoughts and best wishes to Sage members
Sarah