VIOLAS & NOVEMBER ROSES

The weather in the UK right now is causing hundreds of families such misery as their homes are flooded when rivers burst their banks, flood protection measures fail, and the rain keeps on coming.  Here, high up on the Pennines, my home is at least safe from flooding and until the snow comes my roses keep on blooming.   I brought some indoors because, even though I don't know if they will last longer than they would outside, I can certainly enjoy them more where I can see them all the time.  They look a bit weather battered and a bit ragged but still retain an element of beauty in my eyes. 

White Iceberg and yellow Arthur Bell

White Iceberg and yellow Arthur Bell

I wanted to take a photograph of the various small birds that are dining around the bird-feeder which I have suspended from my washing line.  They are happy when my cat, Alfie the resident Ragdoll, is not safe indoors.  The small birds tend to scatter not only husks but entire seeds onto the ground and the larger birds have been coming for them.  All is well.  Except, however, something is attacking the bed of winter-flowering violas which I planted some weeks ago.  It could be snails.  The violas planted in a tub are faring much better.  I keep having to dead head the flowers though which is a winter task I had not thought about when I planted them!

 

 

 

 

The next gardening job that I have to do is to bring in the tuberous begonias that have been so wonderful all summer.  I'm waiting for the stems and leaves to start to fall off and then I can collect the tubers and store them for the winter. 

 

The hanging baskets of white bacopa and lobelia are still very beautiful and it is nearly December.  Actually, saying that, with all the rain they are looking a little sorry for themselves but I think when the rain stops they will perk up again.