Winter garden

[puddleshark]

Bought a new season ticket to Holme Gardens for 2026, and took a short wander round the winter gardens in the sunshine, just until my feet grew numb. Only the Witch Hazel and the Daphne in flower. But the garden was full of birds: Robins singing, Thrushes and Fieldfares feeding on the holly and the rowan berries, a tiny Goldcrest, rather tame, seen picking its way along a yew hedge.

Comments

[changeling72]

Every year, I say I am going to get witch hazel for my garden. I used to love seeing them en masse around King William's Temple at Kew, especially when there was snow on the ground. Mum used to have a daphne. Worth having for the berries alone.

[puddleshark]

Yes, there's a path at Kingston Lacy lined with Witch Hazel in all different colours, and it is just so beautiful on a sunny winter's day.

I don't really have room for a Witch Hazel, but I do have a small Daphne, and the scent of the flowers in winter is lovely.