The Best of 2025
Here are my Best Of's for the year 2025. A mixture, to be sure, but all giving impact to this glorious gardening year.
Wattle Logs
The best thing that happened to my garden in 2025 was the last of the huge Wattle trees near the glass-house crashing down. Suddenly I had a beautifully secluded garden area with lots of light and space, just begging to be replanted with Rhododendrons, and Rugosa roses.
Speckles the Stray
The Greatest Joy of 2025
This has been the continued presence of my stray cat Speckles, who has spent another year semi-living with me. He will now come into the cottage. He hisses a little, and he smooches a little, when he's in the mood. This is after four years of sweet-talking and thousands of bowls of good food and milk. Hmm...
The Greatest Puzzles of 2025
Two things : firstly, the garden's weeds grow arms and legs and run around everywhere if I'm absent for more then a day. This simply is not logical.
Secondly, it's Speckles again. He often misses his meal. So where does he go? Is someone else feeding him? No-one else would be soppy enough to feed a cat who hisses and swipes at their legs with his paw, surely!
David Thompson Rugosa Roses
The Best Rose of 2025
The rugosa David Thompson was rudely ripped out of the Hump Garden (he was blocking the path), severely pruned, stuffed into a pot, and forgotten. Four months later I found him covered in strong regrowth, shouting out to be replanted. What a rose!
Minimus in the Garden
The Best Cat of 2025
My little grey cottage cat Minimus made her final trip to the vet late in 2025. For sixteen wonderful years she shared my life and kept me company. Darling Minimus, found hiding in my woodshed, a starving little wild kitten. Huge thanks to her vet for helping her in those last difficult days.
Winnie the Dog
The Best Dog of 2025
Winnie the aging border collie has been regularly visiting a therapy vet all year for her mobility issues. No more 'going round' for her, and the gentlest of tennis ball throws. Thanks to Winnie's vet for helping her to have a comfortable senior year.
Calendula
The Best Flower of 2025
This award goes to a flowering annual. It's a cute Calendula, grown from seed, which is intricately beautiful, and doesn't look a bit like a Calendula at all. Enjoy!
Leopard Plants
The Best Foliage of 2025
My garden is full of gorgeous foliage plants, some of which (like the coloured Phormiums) are large and imposing, some of which (like the Hostas) are timeless classics. The winner of this award is smallish and quirky : those cute spotty Ligularias, AKA Leopard plants.
Contenders for Best Shrub 2025
The Best Shrub of 2025
There are many colourful contenders for this award : the single red rose Moyesii (which has tripled in size since I gave it a positive ID, its rose self esteem obviously enhanced), the rhododendron Alice (beautifully fat and pink), Senecio (tough, honest, and bright yellow in bloom). And possibly every Hebe in my garden...
Viburnum Plicata
I've chosen a white winner - a Viburnum, variety plicata, whose flowers and form always take my breath away in spring.
Prunus Pink Perfection
The Best Tree of 2025
This award goes to the flowering cherry tree Pink Perfection in the middle of the Hump Garden. Another of the pretty spring things.
Me
Can there be a Supreme Award for 2025? Yes, and I'm giving it to ME! I've worked hard all year, in all weathers, and had so much fun. I've laughed a lot, cried a bit, pulled loads of weeds out, planted things and shifted them a week later. I've been overcome by the growth in my garden, and overwhelmed by its beauty. And most of all I've done my very best.