My Climate Change Garden

Its the count down to the shortest day as hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere slowly diminish up to 21st December. Not a good time for blogging about gardens in the UK, but I am still determined to seek out interesting stories and gorgeous photos to keep you inspired about climate change gardening during these darker days.

The thing I hate most about this time of year is the lack of flowers outside which is why I fill the house with bunches of beautiful blooms all through the winter. Flower Power came to mind whilst I was sitting at my desk writing this blog and a rare shaft of sunlight lit up some beautiful anemones. I always put flowers where we eat as I read that people communicate better in the presence of flowers or plants, and they tend to eat more food more slowly when flowers are on the table. http://www.pioneerthinking.com/flowerswellbeing.html

Other flowers radiating cheer in the house at the moment include my bougainvillea, hibiscus and a small red canna that I have managed to keep blooming despite the lack of sunlight in the conservatory.This taste of exotica reminds me that in the southern hemisphere right now there will be an abundance of flowers – and the sun is probably shining as well. Please send news if you are reading this blog from a country where these gorgeous plants are still enjoying their natural habitat.

Do you like this painting of a cockerel in winter on the right? It is by one of my favourite  artists  Lucy Willis  who is brilliant at capturing light – particularly in gardens:

http://www.lucywillis.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=26&Itemid=43

Uk gardens will just have to make do with lots of greenery for the next few weeks as the winter sets in. I am visiting Architectural Plants on Tuesday to chat with Angus White about ideas for winter interest into the garden and to discover his low maintenance favourites for this time of year.