While I dread the camellias that are open, turning to brown mush, above. I am thrilled that the peonies will have the required chill hours to put on a show. See what I mean about mixed emotions?

Still, it is better to look at the  bright side, I cannot control Mother Nature, (much as I try)  and the closed buds for  future blooms look  perfect….so far.

I will be out-of-pocket till the end of this month with little or no access to the internet (YIKES ?!!) So, have a fun January and keep warm.

This is the other side of the coin… gardening under trees can result in some damage in a windstorm. and these storms are not uncommon in Georgia.

Below,the evergreen planting of Viburnum awabuki ’Shindo’ meant to hide the garden shed is ravaged! A large limb (not shown)  came down right in the middle of it.

 Some major pruning and clean-up, is now on my “To Do” list.

Still there is so much beauty out there I can hardly complain…

While Mother Nature is editing the garden……..

Plenty of eye candy wherever one looks.                                                                        

 Here at Hamilton House,  the scale is so vast that a  plant had virtually no impact unless it was large and from a landscape point of view, there needed to be several of the same plant to form a balanced composition.

There was, initially the temptation to plant several plants close together so it would in a very little time have more impact; but I opted not to do that. I had seen that done in several gardens in Atlanta and always wondered which plants would have to be sacrificed when they outgrew their space. Instead I went with the tried and true technique, where, no matter the size plant I started with, it was planted with plenty of space to allow it to mature to its ultimate size.

Needless to say the first several years everything looked silly as the plants were small and one could see clear across the entire garden.

Today, 15 years later, I know it was the right choice.With a little pruning here and there, everything (well, almost) can be kept within bounds.

Still to come (above) Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’

The bees are happy too!

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your gift of support throughout the year.

Warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season and may you enjoy a happy healthy new year filled with love, light, joy and great gardening!

Margaret  has been an inspiration for many gardeners. Every season her garden is filled beauty wherever one looks.

Above, a welcoming entrance… the large tree to the right is a Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), straight ahead is a Japanese Flowering Apricot (Prunus mume).

Margaret laid those stones when she was in her 70′s!

  Below, a seating area beneath a flowering cherry tree  (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) surrounded by azaleas, camellias and underplanted with a variety of textured  & fragrant groundcovers…                                                                         

Well thought out focal points….

Her philosophy…

Camellias in bloom…. my new plant list…

Some of these Camellias  are heirlooms, rare in the trade. While they may be a challenge to locate,  don’t give up, they are out there.

One of my personal favorites is Camellia japonica ‘Ava Maria’ (above). When I first saw it in Margret’s garden the hunt to acquire one was on! Her very generous daughter Jane located it for me. It is a  gift I treasure, as is Margaret’s friendship.

Note: plant names are visible if cursor is on photo. To read more on Margaret & her garden visit GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY. She is often featured.

Hollies… you cannot beat them for their beauty this time of year. Above, Ilex x ‘Emily Bruner’  with berries that encircle the stem…

The Buford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’)  exhibits a heavy fruit set in clusters, except when a late frost kills the blossoms.

 Heavenly Bamboo  (Nandina domestica);  I refer here to the species and not some of the newly engineered dwarfs. Gorgeous grape like clusters of berries that last a very, very long time. (Note, this is NOT a bamboo)

The Viburnum berries that were wonderful & fresh for Thanksgiving are looking a bit tired but still ornamental…

The yellow berries of Viburnum ‘ Michael Dodge’ almost ready for the birds. When they are ‘ready’ they will be devoured in a day.

Happy decorating!  And thank you WORDPRESS for the snow.

I have no idea when the  Fragrant Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) started to bloom but here it is Dec 3rd.

Wonderfully fragrant, not overly sweet but a clean rather fresh scent, usually starting in mid to late November in my garden.(I usually look for it around Thanksgiving)

 Not the best looking shrub in the border, rather a bit course and ragged  so I camouflage it  with a clematis during the summer.

Winter blooming shrubs or perennials are worth their weight in gold…even at today’s  prices.

That means cuddling with the kitties in front of a fire….

 Meet Dahlia, above, she is shy and this is her first appearance on the blog.

Her pillow, a gift from Margaret Moseley, who, like me, has too much garden and too many cats! (Can one ever have enough of either?)

 Catching up on reading & researching camellias.

There is always room for one more.

Just have some baking to do…. don’t hate me… this is the first time ever I’m ALMOST prepared!!

After the table is cleared and Holiday Shopping Season begins, PLEASE shop locally and wherever possible buy AMERICAN.

I plan on doing all my shopping right here in Hogansville Georgia. Although we are a small town by most standards, our shops and restaurants are outstanding.

Fabulous Antique shops …

Great coffee (really good Artisan Roasted)…

Friendly (and beautiful) people…

Great architecture…

The Grand Hotel, above…

 The former Royal Theatre  is now City Hall,  a restored Art Deco building.

Come visit, you will not be disappointed.

Read what another Blogger has to say about us .. Sassy Trash

 And PLEASE put a live Christmas tree  on your list. Keep in mind it will come from an American Tree Farm. The plastic faux decorations are made in China.

Hope your Holiday Season is happy & joyful.

Autumn is definitely the most colourful time of the year in my garden.  Above, fall foliage and camellias.

The dogwoods (Cornus florida) are at their peak with both the foliage and the fruits ablaze.

 I just love the way this tree frames the veranda and gives me a marvelous view of the cardinals who fly in to devour the berries.

Elsewhere, the Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are in phase 3 of their 4 season show. This native is unsurpassed.

Some views from the veranda…

For more autumn beauty see Boy Fenwick’s photos on the blog Reggie Darling.  He has also captured the most incredible sunset. Enjoy!