callicarpa

Beautyberry / Callicarpa Bodinieri was on my wishlist for 15 years but I didn't have a name to search for, I just had this memory of a wonderful smallish tree with purple berries I came across near St Michael and All Angels in Chiswick. 

Years of checking garden centers with no luck and one accidentall stop in a Tesco car park somewhere in the south England ...tada!!! I have not only a name but also a plant. It's tiny and doesn't like where I've planted it so she'll get a new spot soon. 

This Christmas day when all presents were opened and food was on the table Mick remembered there's one more thing for me in the garden. They didn't know about the 15 years wishlist, about the tree in Chiswick or about the frail plant I found in Tesco... They just saw a big healthy Callicarpa and decided it suits me ❤️❤️❤️

I think it does. When I collect my present I will have to do a bit of research and decide where they both should go. Like 2 purple Laurel and Hardy in our garden

buddleia

How we didn't have a buddleia already is past my understanding when most gardens around us have enormous, fragrant, almost tree like wild buddleias. 

Intrigued (mildly offended even on behalf of my garden) I set about to fix this issue since last summer. So far I have bought a bright red one, accepted several shades of purple and white from the substitute grandma and even foraged for more colours. By foraged I mean knock on shops/ gym/ bakery doors and asked if I can pick the "weeds" off their doorstep 😆. And there is that memorable time when both me and substitute grandma tripped in the same place and had to lift ourselves up by holding onto a small branch of yellow buddleia. One each😉 that went in our pockets straight away.

Recently I was mulling through the Hortensia Walk and what do I spot in a new flowerbed?? A wild purple self-seeded buddleia.. probably from our neighbours 😆😆😆

aeonium in the storm

Was it the rain, the winds or a neighbour's cat that broke my Aeonium?

Cut all babies and new branches, moved in greenhouse and crossing all fingers and toes. I will update this in early spring if I find any survivors