Hello! How has your January been? I have to say that January is not my favorite month. I’m thankful that we have a tiny bit more daylight every day, and that we’ve had some beautiful sunrises on days that we’ve even had quite a bit of sunshine (today’s feature image with a pink sky is during one of those lovely sunrises). But we’ve also had stormy weather, and very cold weather. So I am taking heed, and having a tiny break from gardening. I did buy a bunch of seeds, though, which makes me very happy! It was one stop shopping this year, as Irish Plants Direct had everything I was looking for. No new surprises here, as I’ll be planting: Coleus, Baby Bear pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds (various varieties), Sweet Pea, and Marigold.
I’ve had fun photographing my very dead sunflowers in the garden. The freezing weather gives them a certain charm, or intrigue. There certainly are a lot that are still standing. My garden is playing it coy, with only tiny bits of color here and there. I’m hoping that will change in the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, I am trying to keep a positive attitude! I hope you are, too. 🙂
In Peace,
Dana
Top row from left: Sunflower, Primrose, Rudbeckia – only half frozen as the morning sunlight has melted the fronts.
Second row from left: Ornamental grass, Helleborus Aspen High, Corylus avellana ‘Twister’ – also known as corkscrew hazel (mine grows out, instead of up!).
Third row from left: Pittosporum (Tom Thumb), Sunflowers, Corylus avellana ‘Twister’.
Mom in the Garden 
January is hard, but buying seeds makes things better! ❤ We've ordered our veggie seeds, but I'm waiting on my flowers – still finalizing my selection, but chances are good it's going to be zinnias on zinnias on zinnias this year 😀
I can’t figure out why I haven’t tried zinnias yet, Rebecca! I take it you’d recommend them? 😉
Most definitely! 😀 hehe … I tried other flowers last summer, and they were so much more fiddly. Zinnias are very user friendly, and so bright and happy.
Ah, the Baby Bear Pumpkin seeds again – great plants.
Indeed! How could I not? They were such a hit. 🙂
Wonderful photos. I particularly like the frosty rime.
Thank you! It’s amazing how a little frost can beautify so much. 🙂
I notice Plants Direct sell a wide variety of brands. Good to know.
After Brexit, I moved to Jelitto in Germany.
Happy rest-of-January.
‘Is tar éis na féil Bríde
ardóigh mé mo sheol’
Thanks, Páraig. I do try and support Irish companies where possible, so I thought I’d give them a shout-out since I’ve been happy with them in the past.
By the way, I love how you use Irish, but it would be so helpful to me if you’d also give a little translation afterwards? I know it is easy enough for me to Google it, but this ‘Is tar éis na féil Bríde ardóigh mé mo sheol’ came up with a few very different translations! 🙃
Of course I will, a chara. It’s from Raftaire, a blind bardic poet. “After St. Brigid’s day, I will raise my sail”. Spring is on the way.
Thank you so much, Páraig! 🙂