To celebrate the passing of that most unloved of years, 2020, Sue Gray suggested that we should start off the new year by going and out and seeing what was looking good in our gardens.

I’m delighted to say that over twenty members were able to find some flowers or foliage worthy of inclusion, so here they are. I’ve arranged them in first name order

Weather: Very cold and cloudy with lying snow for many of us. A slight thaw during New Year’s Day itself gave bold photographers a chance to find some blooms peeping through the icy blanket. Lucky we chose the 1st January, because the 2nd brought lots more snow!

Alan Wilson leads the way

Amanda Fincham comes next – she says, “All un-named I’m afraid as they were already in the garden when I got here.”

Ann Fritchley was a regular contributor to the Lockdown Gallery. She says, “I said only about 10 days ago I listed 20 plants flowering,  like the new Snowdrops, Hellebores, and one Ipheon flower, or things hanging on like the Hesperantha and Campanula, Chrysanthemum, Erysimum, Primulas,  etc.  A bit of sunshine would have brightened them up”. It looks like there’s still something to see there though – including some hardy wildlife!

The Hackett garden is more like a ski slope with trees this week, but some pictures were taken without injury either to the plants or me

Carine Carson’s new garden is beginning to take shape

Denise Dyson was keen to take part in the New Year’s Day project. She said it’s all part of making the best of a difficult situation. Hear, hear.

Diane Rawnsley has a Pheasant Berry that’s still looking splendid

Glenda Wray says she doesn’t understand how her camera works – I beg to differ!

Jenny Williamson has sent in some winter vignettes. She says “Have not been suffering long from White Fever but think it has set in now!”

Jill Lister has plenty to show in her garden but also wants to give an honorable mention to Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ (not included) – it continues to flower prolifically, but the photo’s not great!

Judith Edmonds comments “Thankfully less frozen today or I would have been risking life & limb to go out and take photos!“

Judith Ladley says there’s nothing in flower in her garden, but these two excellent pot more than make up for it, I think!

And Kate van Heel was in a similar frame of mind – she says “A dismal day for photos but I’ve tried!“

Lesley Woledge’s winter piece de resistance is a superb Melianthus which has come into its own after unpromising beginnings

Last time I saw Liz Hall’s garden was in midsummer and we were enjoying a heatwave. Nice to see that it still offers treasures in chilly midwinter

Maggie Sugden loves Hellebores. even when they don’t behave…

Margaret Frosztega comments “Together with the odds and ends that the frost has hit a bit, I was surprised how much was looking ok.   This has been an exercise to do regularly in future!”

Nigel Lees sent us these views “from our garden in Leeds, taken on a rather gloomy New Year’s Day….“

Pat Gore says “I have tried to rise to the challenge of garden photos despite lots emerging. but little in bloom in my garden!”

Looks like there’s plenty going on in Pat Hunter’s winter garden

A warm welcome on a chilly day to Rena Guttridge with her first gallery picture

And it’s a first time welcome for Ruth Baumberg too, with what she describes as her ‘tatty’ plants, following the cold snap

Our final photographic contribution comes from the person who inspired the New Year’s Day Gallery – our Chair Person, Sue Gray. Great idea.

Not everyone is comfortable with a camera, so I’m delighted that two members opted to send in their NYD plant lists.

---

And finally, Carine Carson suggested this poem as the perfect sentiment for this time of year

A Winter Poem

This winter tree

Resembles me

Whose sap lies in its root.

The spring draws nigh

As it so I

May bud, perhaps, and shoot.

Thomas Ellwood (1639-1714)