Welcome to GBFD where I encourage you to value the foliage in your garden, and at this time of year maybe it is the foliage that is doing most of the work to make your garden beautiful.
Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbia myrsinites
Artemisia schmidtiana Nana hasn’t like the wet weather this year causing black, dead patches, hopefully it won’t mind the frost as much!
Garlic is growing. The white effect isn’t chalk but frost on the ground
Cerastium tomentosum
Marrubium incanum
A view of the upper slope path with just the flowers of Iris ‘Pure as Gold’
I am in England now. Last Monday I visited RHS Wisley, I think you might enjoy the ghostly but very beautiful views of the planting near the new glass house. I love Wisley in winter, maybe even more than in summer. If you are ever closeby it is always worth popping in for even just a few moments of peace and tranquility.
If you would like to join with me today in celebrating the foliage in your garden or indeed just one plant whose foliage is special at the moment, please include a link to this post in yours and add the link with your comment.
I love how the tomentose and toothed foliage captures the frost crystals – it’s truly beautiful. Here is my entry: https://railwayparade.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/garden-bloggers-foliage-day-december-2014/ (I think I missed last month).
I’ve only ever been to Wisley once, but the number of ideas I took away was phenomenal. I’m glad to see that it’s open in the Winter for you to enjoy!
I don’t see many frosty mornings so I especially enjoy them. Wisley is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, it is beautiful in winter.
Happy to join with you for my first GBFD, Christina! The frosty photos of the Euphorbia and Cerastium are lovely. As are the photos of Wisley–those grasses are gorgeous. Do you know what the turf is? I’m surprised to see so much green–I assume that whatever it is resists freezing temperature? Thanks for hosting! Here’s my contribution for December: http://mygardenersays.com/2014/12/21/foliage-day-december-2014
Tina you are very welcome to GBFD thank you for joining in. Southern England doesn’t usually have very long periods of frost so I imagine the grass doesn’t have to be particularly frost resistant.
The iris is lighting up the path with its bright yellow. It is a beautiful flower, I don’t expect any iris for a long time yet. Wisley is looking beautiful, it is very tempting but I don’t think I am going to have time to visit this year 😦 Amelia
some lovely photos Christina, have a nice holiday, if the rain and wind stop for a while I’ll take and post some photos, I realised yesterday I have not yet taken any photos in December so I think I must find a break in the weather and take some, Frances
hello Christina, I did get some photos and have just published my foliage post, thank you for hosting, Frances
http://islandthreads.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/foliage-december/
Hi Frances, thank you for joining in this month, I wasn’t sure anyone would have time this month so it has been a lovely surprise.
Lovely frosty scenes. I like the way you captured the Euphorbia myrsinites against the stones. The golden light with the iris in your upper slope looks wonderful too. Wisley looks peaceful and haunting this time of year. Hope you’re enjoying your time in England. My GBFD post is http://pbmgarden.wordpress.com/2014/12/21/garden-bloggers-foliage-day-december-2014/
The foliage that is snow covered or in a vase are my contribution this month Christina….we are in for a brief warm up and rain so I will see more green than white on Christmas. Actually we only have a dusting of white right now.
I love your frosted foliage and I can see why you love RHS Wisley in winter….I hope to visit there someday.
If you get the chance, you should try to visit Wisley, there is so much to see at any time of year.
The frost-covered foliage is beautiful, Christina, as are the stark but peaceful winter scenes from Wisley. I hope you’re enjoying your yuletide trip. Best wishes for a very merry Christmas!
Thanks very much Kris a very happy Christmas to you too, I haven’t been able to comment on your blog with my iPad, but I’ve been enjoying seeing what you have been doing.
I love the frosty edges on foliage. Your photos are beautiful. Please see me at http://johnsviccellio.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/in-a-vase-on-monday-meets-garden-bloggers-foliage-day/
Thanks John and great you joined in again this month, thank you.
Your frosty foliage is fabulous, and the Wisley shots…well, what can I say. All superlatives are overused but would apply. Here’s my foliage post: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/4225
Thanks Rickii you are very kind and thank you for joining in GBFD again this month.
Che bello Wisley in inverno! è vicino a dove abbiamo mangiato oppure ci siamo sedute?
Penso di no, la serra è nuova, non c’era quando abbiamo visitato. Un’altra ragione per te di visitare Wisley di nuovo.
It pains me to say it, but I haven’t been to Wisley since the building of the new glasshouse. There is always something to see, whatever the season.
It’s been a little fraught lately so I will have to skip this month and join in again in January. My apologies. Have a lovely Christmas Christina.
There is no need to apologise Jessica, I really didn’t expect anyone to join in this month with it being so close to Christmas.
Once I realized it was GBFD, I wanted very much to finally begin posting today; and I am doing it despite only having one picture to share – the only acceptable result of a rapid trip round the garden with camera! I would wait till tomorrow, but I’ll be helping my mother, who has a hopefully very minor operation scheduled. And after all, a few rose leaves in December are special! I love all those frosty silvers you have – lovely soft hues. I would like to grow some marrubium myself, but it looks like I will have to order it in, which will run the price up quite a bit 😦 Does it grow well for you?
Hope your trip is a lovely time!
Here is the link to my post: http://smallsunnygarden.blogspot.com/2014/12/sunlight-and-red-leaves.html
Amy, thank you for joining in this month, it is lovely to see new people joining in. The Marrubium was bought as a plant but has since produced lots of seedlings so I have lots around the garden now. I can try to collect some seed for you next year if you like and send them to you. Happy Christmas, Christina.
I’d be thrilled to have seeds from the Marrubium – if that works out for you 🙂 I’m still trying to learn when to start seeds here, but I think I’m making some progress 😉 Have a wonderful Christmas!
Never saw Wisley in winter but it looks glorious. Happy xmas!
We saw your photograph. I love the way the winners were displayed on water-proof mounts in groups around the garden. It was like seeing a friend when I found it.
It’s lovely to see the pictures of Wisley in winter – the gardens are about 20 mins away from Elder Daughter so I have been 2 or 3 times with her but not yet in winter. The colours and shapes and textured shown in your pictures are fantastic – thanks so much for sharing. Thanks for hosting – I have posted now at http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/garden-bloggers-foliage-day-keeping-in-shape/
I used to live about 30 minutes away from Wisley so was able to visit in all the different seasons. I didn’t have long last Monday but I really enjoyed the area around the new glass house. I found some seeds I had been looking for too, so a great morning. Thanks for joining in GBFD so consistently over the year.
Glad you had time for a visit, albeit rushed – at least knowing the gardens you will know which bits you particularly want to target. I really have learned from foliage day so am very grateful to you for hosting 🙂
Lovely photos, I’ ve never been to Wisley in winter but obviously well worth a visit. Beautiful.
Yes do visit Wisley in winter, I think it is almost more interesting than in summer, but maybe I think that because it is easier to decide what to go to see.
I would dearly like to grow euphorbias but my skin will not permit 😦 How encouraging to see those green shoots of garlic coming through the ground Christina. I’m late with planting mine so must do so early in January.
The onions are coming through too, it is always good to see next year’s crops beginning to grow.
Beautiful pictures of the frost, it really does bring out the detail of the leaves… and the iris is still such a nice fresh touch!
I just wasn’t able to get out for pictures this month, even though the snow has melted back enough for some foliage to come out once again. maybe January 🙂
You really mustn’t feel pressured into participating in GBFD, Frank. I’m glad the snow has melted for a while, at least so you can enjoy seeing some greenery. Have a really Happy Christmas and a great gardening year in 2015.
Wonderful photos!!
Sorry I’ve not commented for a long time! Too busy with the baby but I do still enjoy your blog 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I really enjoyed your posts over this past year and look forward to sharing your thoughts in 2015. Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the New Year…May each day bring you special moments.
Thank you, Charlie. I hope you have a joyous Christmas and 2015 brings you a great gardening year.
Frost covered foliage is so beautiful! Thanks for the winter views of Wisely. Gorgeous!
Beautiful photos! Nature sure does have a way of making the garden shine even during the coldest days of the winter. Thanks for sharing!