Ecstatic Evergreen
In bleak midwinter, evergreen plants come into their own this month and I had a great time visiting a nearby garden to get their full beauty.
New year is a perfect to catch these stars at a nearby Botanic Garden and look out for the succulent plants.
Here are some of my highlights that put a glimmer of sparkle to the month
Euphorbia, or spurge, suits every situation from desert to bog. Look out for them in both formal courtyards and wild woodlands.
Spurges are a great plant for difficult areas of dry shade, particularly under trees. As they are evergreen they also give handy groundcover. Left unchecked it can take over, romping through areas of a small garden.
The Winter months let me focus on the evergreens that often are missed when the Summer flowers blossom and as my visit has shown they are worthy of attention.
A popular Winter plant, due to its hardy nature. The succulent plant lives in gravel with spiky shapes that are built to survive. I found Euphorbia is part of a large collection at England’s oldest Physic Garden, in Oxford. Some of Britain’s Physic Gardens are often connected to Churches where the clergy would manage the upkeep of the precious plants.
Many Botanic Gardens began as Physic Gardens and their plant collections often have a medical story to tell. The plots of plants are often laid out according to the 17th Century ailment they would ease.
Seeds brought back from European visits by Aristocrats on the Grand Tour helped bring back new species we still enjoy today.
The intricate designs of the evergreen plants and the different tones of greens I can spot today makes me feel optimistic for the return of fragrant flowers that Spring will bring along.
Happy last days of January!
lita doolan productions 
I like this spot – 5 mins walk away
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Perfect! It’s a beauty alright 😉
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Mind you there are so many nice bits of green space in Oxford overall – the gardens of Chrsitchurch, for example
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Especially when the sun shines, it’s hard to make a choice! Yes. Agreed.
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The evergreen is such a lovely kind of plant. Green is a colour always easy on the eyes, and quite a vivid colour too. So I’m not surprise that it uplifts some of us in the darker months. Great diversity of shots, and interesting to know plants were laid out in a certain way back in the day – strong beliefs there 🙂
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I love this valuable insight. Thank you for sharing this beautiful comment and for more food for thought to enjoy. Yes, I hadn’t thought of the gardens as representing people’s deeper beliefs. Awesome! I loved your recent post detailing how animals symbolise how we connect to a country. Looking forward to reading more.
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What we choose to build and keep around us says quite a bit about ourselves. There’s always more than meets the eye 🙂
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Your blog is lovely. I enjoyed your photos were a great addition as you took us on your tour of the Botanical Garden.
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Thank you. The garden has such a different look in Winter as we wait for the flower to poke through! I loved the beautiful haikus in your recent post, full of beauty and calm.
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Thanks. I live with my sister and she participates with me.
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After visiting Longwood Gardens in the US, i have become a fan of Botanic Gardens. So i visited Royal Botanic Gardens in Australia last year.
Just the variety of plants and the greenery there sweeps me away!
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Yes I agree completely, a visit to Botanic Gardens is always a good experience. Longwood Gardens sound beautiful. I am guessing the Gardens in Australia look spectacular with the favourable climate there.
Your recent post on photography tips is superb, it is full of inspiration. Thank you for sharing some great ideas. I look forward to trying them out and also enjoying more on your blog throughout 2016.
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Spurge is a funny name for such a pretty plant. It must be very hardy. I’m going to look for it locally, it must be around here somewhere. Thanks, Lita, for sharing so much knowledge and the beautiful pictures!
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Totally agree! I bet there is an intriguing story about how spurges got their name tucked away somewhere. Thank you for the insightful post on the reality of inner city travel. I helps me wear my back pack with pride on busy commutes. Hope February is looking beautiful in the Big Apple.
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Lovely photos. Peaceful.
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Thank you. I agree, the peace of a pretty garden is hard to beat!
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You are quite welcome.
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Wonderful garden. ❤
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Thank you! It’s even nicer now Summer seems to be on its way (three sunny days in a row this week hurrah!!).
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Such a blessing to experience such wealth…
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Honoured by your words.
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Apparently, your life is honored😇
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