December News from Galloway Flowers

  These short days & long, dark nights really put the pressure on us all to get anything done in a garden, don't they?

  And after the relentless wind & rain of November, I'm well behind... still bulbs to plant, mulch to spread & more. I'm rushing round like the White Rabbit concerned 'I'm late!'  But there's so much more growing here now for blooms early in the year than a few short years ago, so I know we'll catch up. Since investing in more perennials every year, my workload is more manageable & predictable.  It might not look like it just now, but there'll be plenty of flowers in Springtime, there always is...

  And if you haven't planted Tulips yet either, don't panic - they'll be fine planted well into January. If you're lucky, there'll be reduced packs for you to swoop on in the garden centre for an early burst of colour in the garden or vase.

  There are even a few Dahlias left in the ground here still - it was too wet to dig them up. I'm taking a chance on the new plants from cuttings & small divided tubers, leaving some in the ground this winter. Covered with mulch & sheet of plastic, it's a calculated risk - if it's a cold winter, I might lose them. But if it's a mild, I fear the slugs under the plastic will do more damage as the soil warms. Please wish me luck!

  Of course December is a hectic month of Christmas workshops, wreaths, garlands & more as we near the big day. Freshly cut conifer in my workshop smells wonderful, mixed with scents of Cinnamon, Eucalyptus & lashings of hand cream – wreathmaking is a very tough job for fingers!  I'm very easy to buy gifts for at Christmas.
 
  I'm almost fully booked for wreaths now - just time to make a few after 12th December. Wreaths can be ordered online. I decided not to send wreaths by post around the UK this year due to the Postal Strikes. Although the wreaths last very well, I'm concerned they could take much longer to arrive.
 
  I’ve begun putting together an Events calendar for 2023. So far;

• 'Cut Flowers From Your Garden' on Sunday 2nd April
• 'Make A Hand Tied Bouquet' with Spring flowers on Sunday 30th April

There’ll be some growing, some floristry… Is there anything flowery you would like to try? Email me with your suggestions please…

  These are lean months for flowers & foliage grown in the British Isles, but there's always something lovely for Christmas

• The deliciously scented white Narcissi 'Paperwhites' from the Isles of Scilly are delivered direct to me this month. I love them in generous jugsful in the kitchen, the hallway, often mixed with evergreens such as Eucalyptus or in little dainty Posy vases grouped on windowsills, beside my bed, all over the house. My absolutely favourite winter flower. I'll deliver large bundles or if you're able to collect, happy to wrap just a few bunches for you - they make a lovely gift
• There'll be white Lilies, Alstroemeria, & Tulips too plus lots of lovely foliage, all in Christmassy colours of white, red & greens.
• To order yourChristmas flowers, please order soon. I've preordered with our growers now & when they're gone, they're gone. Order online or by telephone 01644 420407 for local delivery or collection.

  Christmas & New Year are popular occasions to celebrate engagements & even in these uncertain times, doubtless many will be dreaming of their 'big day'. Bookings for weddings in 2023 are open now, & I love creating beautiful flowers for weddings large & small. Our 2022 was a fabulous year of weddings in country garden marquees, on beaches, castles, secret elopements & just about everything in between! As well as growing & arranging 'the whole flower shebang' for some couples, I happily supply 'Bloom Buckets' of flowers for family & friends to arrange themselves. If you, or somebody you know will be tying the knot next year, take a look at the page links from our website Wedding pages for more

  While Children count down the sleeps, I’m counting the days to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Once this landmark date is past, I’ll be looking for every extra minute of daylight in the evenings. There’ll be many long evenings to come poring over seed catalogues by the warm wood burner through December, January & February - but we’ll be on the way.

  And my last words this month? Sending you very warm wishes to you & yours for the Festive season, a healthy New Year & spectacular Cutting Patch in 2023!
 
 Until next time, 
Rosie 
Galloway Flowers 
  
Jobs for December;

• If you grow Hellebores, cut back the tatty foliage & give them a generous dollop of compost. They'll repay you well with handsome new leaves & a beautiful display of early flowers
• If you have a wood burner (or know someone who does) use the wood ash to feed hungry flowering plants. It's particularly good for Clematis, Roses, Hellebores, Strawberries & Raspberries
• Remember the birds & Squirrels in the colder weather. They appreciate feeders full of peanuts, sunflowers & fatballs. Offering clean fresh water is a great help to them when normal sources are frozen