Christmas is rushing forward, one of the joys being the Mahonia just in front of my kitchen window, the large yellow flowers are about to open, just what is needed during these drab days, the display usually lasts over Christmas giving me constant pleasure.
They are a very hardy ever green shrub and will grow in most soil types including heavy clay, though of course here I am on dry sandy soil.  The down side is if like me you plant near a path the prickly leaves will impale you so take care. The window cleaner is not a fan of Mahonia which he gives a very different name!!!,  I prune hard after flowering, when the frosts have past to keep it a manageable size.

Well I have taken the bull by the horns and cut down the Pink Lacy Edged Hydranger, it really has over grown its place this year. Pruning it properly would have still left me with a problem, hence the kill or cure chop.

Would you believe it the Yucca has developed a flower, can't think it will open but who knows. This is how it looked earlier this summer. The only problem is Blackfly, oh boy do they love the flowers. Cutting the flowers as soon as they go off is one answer.

I noticed yesterday that the Sweet Peas are still going strong, even after the frost last week,  will leave and note how long they keep going.
The Fuchsia pictured above is Dancing Flame, really happy in the strong sunlight on the patio, when we have some that is. It is very strong growing and flowers virtually non stop up until  the end of October early November.