Garden Update...

We have planes.  Con trails were ripping up the sky this morning as I went to the local train station and as I lay awake last night I was subjected to the scream of engines...  I've no objection to aeroplanes, per se, nor to people who use them.  It's just that air travel seems to be far too prevalent these days...

I'm on the verge of a garden crisis.  I have plants stacking up like passengers in an international departure lounge following the lifting of the flight ban.  The last couple of nights we've had really sharp frosts - ice in the bird bath style.  I know these frosts of old - they're the last bite of winter and they've taken out a few of my favourite plants in the past.

My senetti were put out last weekend, but they were brought back in again just in case, even though they're hardy down to -1 degree.  The sweet peas should be out now, but they're still being kept indoors for the time being.  And more plants are arriving, thick and fast. 

My featured plants today are firstly, an auricula, of which I'm rather proud.  These plants are very showy, but they're notoriously difficult to grow.  This is my second season with this one, which is something of a record for me.  I think I've got the secret of growing them now and might even buy a couple more this year:-
 

My second choice is a pulmonaria.  This is an unusual white-flowered variety called 'Sissinghurst White'.  I'll post some of the more standard versions as they come into flower.  Unfortunately, the spotted leaves don't seem to show up very much in this particular photo:-

 

Bettany Hughes was good last night.  I missed her programme on the Egyptians, but her marathon sessions on the Minoans, the Myceneans and now the Spartans have been extremely interesting.  I've only seen the first half of each because they've gone on past my bed time - the Spartans took more than 3 hours in total!!  I wonder who she'll be profiling next week?

As an afterthought, am I the only one who's finding the Scottish National Party party political broadcast a bit tedious?  For the uninitiated, it features this bloke wandering around Scotland interacting with numerous folk before he finally climbs to the top of Ben Nevis and roars out 'SCOTLAND!!!!' so loud he's heard in London. 

The first time, it was fun, but the repeat showings are getting a bit much.  I'd love to see a comic version where the scene cuts to a wee wifie leaning out the top window of a tower block in Glasgow bawling, "Aw, awa' an boil yer heid, ya big egit!!  Ma wains are greetin' wi' all yer racket!'
 

Garden Update...

We have planes.  Con trails were ripping up the sky this morning as I went to the local train station and as I lay awake last night I was subjected to the scream of engines...  I've no objection to aeroplanes, per se, nor to people who use them.  It's just that air travel seems to be far too prevalent these days...

I'm on the verge of a garden crisis.  I have plants stacking up like passengers in an international departure lounge following the lifting of the flight ban.  The last couple of nights we've had really sharp frosts - ice in the bird bath style.  I know these frosts of old - they're the last bite of winter and they've taken out a few of my favourite plants in the past.

My senetti were put out last weekend, but they were brought back in again just in case, even though they're hardy down to -1 degree.  The sweet peas should be out now, but they're still being kept indoors for the time being.  And more plants are arriving, thick and fast. 

My featured plants today are firstly, an auricula, of which I'm rather proud.  These plants are very showy, but they're notoriously difficult to grow.  This is my second season with this one, which is something of a record for me.  I think I've got the secret of growing them now and might even buy a couple more this year:-
 

My second choice is a pulmonaria.  This is an unusual white-flowered variety called 'Sissinghurst White'.  I'll post some of the more standard versions as they come into flower.  Unfortunately, the spotted leaves don't seem to show up very much in this particular photo:-

 

Bettany Hughes was good last night.  I missed her programme on the Egyptians, but her marathon sessions on the Minoans, the Myceneans and now the Spartans have been extremely interesting.  I've only seen the first half of each because they've gone on past my bed time - the Spartans took more than 3 hours in total!!  I wonder who she'll be profiling next week?

As an afterthought, am I the only one who's finding the Scottish National Party party political broadcast a bit tedious?  For the uninitiated, it features this bloke wandering around Scotland interacting with numerous folk before he finally climbs to the top of Ben Nevis and roars out 'SCOTLAND!!!!' so loud he's heard in London. 

The first time, it was fun, but the repeat showings are getting a bit much.  I'd love to see a comic version where the scene cuts to a wee wifie leaning out the top window of a tower block in Glasgow bawling, "Aw, awa' an boil yer heid, ya big egit!!  Ma wains are greetin' wi' all yer racket!'