December is a time of beauty and celebration, as we balance the quiet rhythm of the garden with the joy of the holiday season.
The festive season has arrived, and the gardens are brimming with winter charm as preparations for Christmas take centre stage. Inside the court, Christmas trees are adorned with sparkling decorations, and festive displays are crafted with wreaths, bowls of Paperwhite bulbs nestled in moss, and striking red cornus stems. Cyclamen and poinsettias bring vibrant splashes of color, carefully potted to brighten the house during the darker days.
December Rituals
Nurturing the garden as winter sets in
Out in the garden, the work continues. Spent herbaceous perennials are being cut back, and windfallen branches cleared. Amid the tidying, the first signs of spring daffodil bulbs peeking through the soil bring a sense of renewal. Rhododendrons and azaleas are being planted out, their spots carefully chosen for the months to come, while the prunus autumnalis delights with its delicate winter blooms.
December Table
Flavours and foliage for the holiday feast
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without mistletoe, which now graces the staircase hall, and sprays of festive foliage—holly, black-berried ivy, and rosemary—dress vases and dining tables. Kale, along with sage and other herbs, finds its way to the kitchen, ready to inspire hearty winter dishes.
