I’m expecting a delivery of gravel today to help spruce up the path. What time will it arrive? Will there be too much? Will there be too little? Who knows. What I do know though is that I’m going to have to stay in and forego my ritual Saturday morning black coffee and slice of cake in town. <Sighs> Ah well, time for Six on Saturday.
1. Looking back at posts from February 2022 it’s apparent that the garden is a few weeks behind compared to last year. Not surprising given the prolonged cold spells we’ve had and it’s probably how things should be really. Back in 2022 some of the ‘Tête-à-tête’ daffs were out by the 5 February, which seemed ridiculously early. They’ve been more leisurely this year.
2. On the 5 February 2022 the first aphids were spotted, merrily reproducing on the Sambucus nigra ‘Golden Tower.’ They’re a bit later this time and have opted for the Helleborus niger, which has finally got into its flowery stride. Planted last month, it’s also proving popular with the bees.
3. Another Hellebore up next. Rodney Davey Marbled Group ‘Reanna’s Ruby’ was purchased back in 2021. Last year it did nothing and there were dark mutterings of the ‘you’d better buck your ideas up or else’ kind. They seem to have worked.
4. Now cast your mind back to the end of December and the new squirrel proof bird feeder that was proving to be bird proof as well. It took a few weeks but the sparrows have finally cracked it. Well, some of them have, and there’s been no sign of a squirrel for ages.
5. Now this is exciting. The Loropetalum chinense ‘Black Pearl’ has flower buds. Lots of them. It’s looking the picture of health (unlike the Bay tree which is rather scorched of leaf in places). In theory, the flowers are fragrant. I hope so.
6. And to end… a clump of Iris reticulata. Possibly ‘Pixie Gordon.’
They were my Six on Saturday, a meme originally started by The Propagator. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, head over to the blog of the current Six on Saturday host, Jim. Feel free to predict a delivery time for the gravel in the comments section below. I’m going to go for 10am. Hmm, that would still give me time to nip into town for coffee and cake…
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Bravo for the bird feeder, the squirrels understood that it was not for them!
Iris also in my Six this week which looks very similar to yours.
I’m going to go check the buds of my loropetalum by seeing the photos of yours and finally, good luck with the gravel! I would have to add some to my driveway here too (4m3 every 4 years to add: raking chore)
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Still no sign of the gravel but you’ve reminded me that I need to find a rake! Thank you.
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I do love the Iris reticulata, such a shame they are over so quickly. Still, we must seize the moment. Always a joy to see a daff, mine are just coming out too. I predict, 1.00pm for your gravel delivery, or whatever time you sit down for lunch. What is the prize?
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You may well be right with 1pm. I’m at the jumping up and peering out the window every time I hear something that sounds bigger than a car. Hang on… Nope, it’s an Asda delivery van. Bored now.
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Can’t imagine they would want to work Saturday afternoon so I’m hopeful it will be very soon.
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Although I planted lots of new daffs, I haven’t seen any sign of them. I do hope they haven’t all been dug up and eaten. There’s plenty of night time digging up in my garden by the nocturnal brigade, which is a little worrying.
Agh! Aphids already? I know I should try to treat them as part of nature’s cycle, but just agh!
I shall predict 11.59 for your delivery, just when you have almost given up waiting and could easily have skipped to town for coffee and cake.
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Yes, coffee and cake would have been possible after all. I planted a selection of daffs in the autumn, many of which are only just starting to poke up through the soil (I was beginning to wonder what had happened to them).
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That’s a well photographed group of aphids, did you squish shortly afterwards? Your coffee and cake ritual in town seems really nice, how annoying to have to forgo it! Am predicting 12.00 for you!
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12.25pm, half way through some re-heated left over Mac and Cheese. You might be the closest – I will have to check the other predictions!
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Ooh I hope there’s a prize 🏆😁
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Just the satisfaction of knowing you were the closest!
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Your loropetalum is looking decidedly Spring Ready. Mine is still in intensive care having had some tips amputated after frost bite.
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This one was pampered initially but then I stopped paying attention to the weather forecasts. Luckily it didn’t seem to mind -5 minus its fleece.
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I’m hoping the gavel has arrived and you are currently busy in the garden raking it into position! I shall look forward to seeing the progress of that loropetalum.
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It has and I was! 12.25pm it arrived. I quickly realised I needed more and nipped to the garden centre and ended up with the same quantity again which I risked loading into the car (although the suspension objected). Gravel doesn’t seem to go very far. Hopefully this won’t need topping up for another 10 years.
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We just had our courtyard done, 3 bulk bags + delivery was over £200 but luckily shared between us was only £41 and someone else did the raking!
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gravel… 🙄
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Lovely pictures, hard to choose a favourite as they’re all so beautiful.
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Yes, you deserve that cake! ❤ Love the nifty bird feeder, and it's good to know they are eating from it. Love your bee and aphid photos! Hopefully the other insects will clear them up in time.
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A cake was made using leftover home made mincemeat and marzipan so all was well in the end!
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I haven’t read the comments and although I won’t try to predict when the gravel arrived (as I’m a day late) I will predict that there won’t be enough. There is never enough in my experience. I’m glad the bird feeder works, and I might try one myself. We have a lot of squirrels here.
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You were quite right – there was no where near enough! I went out and bought the same quantity again (this time transporting it my small car) and still reckon I need a few more bags so it’s not quite so thinly spread in places. The caged feeder is good (although it could do with some extra drainage hole on the base for the rain to escape) but I also splurged on one of those fancy bird feeders where the feeding port closes if anything heavier than a small bird attempts to get to the food – it seemed fairer on the slightly bigger birds like robins that couldn’t squeeze through the caged one.
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