Page 10 - Oundle Life December 2021

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DECEMBER IN THE GARDEN
Thinking of December in the garden, you get images of foggy damp mornings with twiggy bare silhouettes of trees bereft of their leaves. As the winter solstice approaches, the hours of daylight are short and the weather cold. Your garden can feel all a bit brown and lifeless and can easily be ignored as we draw the curtains on the dark afternoons, our attention turning to decorating the inside of our homes. All is not doom and gloom in the winter garden. There are a few stars ready to take their place in the spotlight.
The bright firework coloured bark of the shrubby Cornus or Dogwood bring colour and interest to break up the brown. Even during this darkest of months, there are some flowering plants. Sarcococca confusa or ‘Sweet Box’
or ‘Christmas Box’ produces scented white flowers. Viburnum comes in both deciduous
or evergreen varieties, but both produce white blooms and dark berries too.
We cannot talk of December and berries without a mention of Holly. Synonymous with winter and Christmas, they not only look beautiful with their evergreen leaves and contrasting berries, but also provide food for wild birds visiting our garden. Other berries favoured by our feathered friends are Rowan, Ivy, Pyracantha and Cotoneaster.
If the outdoors isn’t your thing in December, don’t worry! The garden centre has lots to offer for those who prefer to focus on the inside of
their home at this time of year. Who doesn’t love seeing twinkling Christmas lights shining through the dark December evenings and the scent of a real tree? Our real cut Christmas Trees arrive towards the end of November.
We not only sell the Christmas tree,
but stands, indoor and outdoor lights and decorations too. Locally made fresh wreaths along with bunches on fresh holly and mistletoe. Inside the shop, our sea of Poinsettia is a sight to see. Coming not only in the traditional red, but they can also be pink, yellow, orange and pale green too. Originating from Mexico, they like
to be kept warm, but away from hot radiators,
in a light position. They do not like the shock
of cold or draughts. Alongside our plants and Christmas Trees and decorations, we also have gifts, interior ideas and edible treats too.
As the year draws to a close, may we wish you a Merry Christmas and here’s to a thriving New Year and new season in your gardens. www.thebarngardencentre.co.uk
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