I was delighted when hubs Valentine’s Day present finally arrived.
I chose these plants to compliment a wildflower border in the front garden that I’d grown from seed a couple of years ago. Once the wildflowers, Marshmallows, Muskmallows and Hollyhocks die back there is little of interest, so hopefully these additions will add a little winter colour and good cheer.
I have Red barked dogwood, Evergreen Euonymous, Winter Jasmine, Twisted Curly Red Evergreens, along with a Manuka Honey Bush selection and a Climbing Hydrangea for the back garden.
It’s a total win, win…..I get the plants to play with and the dogs get the boxes!
I’ve now weeded the herb garden and planted out the Manuka Honey Bushes….
and I’ve sorted the old wildflower border. The wildflowers are now behind the dogwoods and winter jasmine, and I’ve added several shrub cuttings from the greenhouse.
Given they are mainly red and yellow, I’m hoping for a little Chinese New Year luck to help them grow!
Liverpool has a huge Chinese Community, so it was off to Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Before the celebrations began I purchased a veggie noodle meal from the street sellers, extra long noodles mind….they ensure a long and healthy life!
Each year several dragons go from business to business performing the cai qing, which literally means, plucking the greens.
Cabbages or lettuce are placed above doorways, or in this case, are lowered from a window. The cabbages are eaten by the dragon, and are then spat out in front of the venue, spitting the luck back y’see.
The cai qing is accompanied by firecrackers, dragon dancing and drumming and symbolizes good fortune and bestows many blessings upon each business.
The ceremony is completed with a deep bow.
We discovered shredded cabbage at the entrances of many places, even St Lukes, the old bombed out church. Here the public got to drum on old recycled containers, such fun it was!
And finally….
A little luck has finally struck fancy pige, the guy who was attacked by the crows in my garden.
He was eventually released at the rescue and now sits above the unit door coo-cooing for seed, and of course he gets it. He seems to like hanging out with us.
So……Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year, may lady luck shine upon you all.x
Now that is what I call a Valentine’s Gift! Who needs chocolate !! Excellent idea, and I’m sure the dogs agreed !
I enjoyed reading about the Chinese New Year customs, and it looked like great fun.
It certainly is my idea of a great pressie too!!! And I’m not a lover of chocolate or sweet things. I’m sure the dogs agreed, they just love big cardboard boxes, maniacs that they are.
The Chinese New Year is always good fun. Thanks Jane.xxx
Happy New Year to you as well. Wasn’t that nice of your hubby to get you plants for Valentine’s Day. I am glad that fancy Pige is doing well. Perhaps when he regains his confidence, he will be off on his own. I am sure you don’t mind his company at any rate.
I thought hubs was far too generous buying all those plants…..but I wan’t going to argue with him!
I have a feeling that fancy pige will go back to where he came from once he gets his bearings, it’s what the ringed pigeons tend to do. Meanwhile, it’s a pleasure to see him. Thanks Jennifer.xxx
How nice to celebrate different starts to the new year… I am sure that each one has a personality all its own. Liked the cabbage ceremony, and the shots of celebration, as well as the care given your own garden, Dina. A very upbeat post.
I do enjoy all the different celebrations, it’s lovely being able to take part in them all, as you say, they are all unique. Glad you liked the celebration. Thanks Shimon.xxx
Look at all those plants! Have a wonderful time planting them all. I’m sure they will look wonderful out in your yard. The Chinese New Year celebrations look so colorful!
There’s nothing better than a load of plants!!! They are all snugy in their new border now, we just need a little warmth to get them growing! The Chinese New Year is always a good day out. Thanks Susanne.xxx
What a wonderful birthday present! May they all blossom and flourish! And I love your action picture header of the dogs – brilliant. I’ve never seen Chinese new year celebrations. They look huge fun ! xx
I love receiving plants as presents, they are the best!!! I can’t wait for the garden to wake up, it seems to have been winter forever! I like that pic of the dogs too, thanks to the new camera blurry pics are a thing of the past. I hope you get to celebrate the Chinese New Year next time around, it’s always a great day out! Thanks Gilly.xxx
I kept thinking, when does the goat come into it? But now I get it. The Chinese New Year in Liverpool looks like great fun. I didn’t know that about the dragons eating cabbage. And what excellent Valentine’s Day presents! Now if only the dogs would pick up the cardboard shreds after they are done playing with the box.
Lol…..that’s one animal we don’t have at the rescue at present! Oh….how I love getting plants as presents! It would be good if the dogs could learn to tidy up after themselves, sometimes the house looks like a bomb has hit it….they are messier than kids! Thanks Jason.xxx
What a lovely Valentine’s present. I love your Chinese New Year photos – I’d never heard of the ‘Plucking the Greens’ ceremony before. I’m so glad that Fancy Pige is still hanging around and I love the look of your kitchen too. x
Thanks Veggiemummy, you just can’t beat plants for pressies! It is interesting, the plucking of the greens, I used to wonder why there was shredded cabbage all over town! I’m glad fancy pige is loitering with intent, he’s a lovely bird, really friendly.xxx
That was a very jolly post! Love the photos of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Your garden is going to look lovely when they’ve all settled in and the dogs had their fun from your present too 🙂 It’s good to see pige is ok and it obviously wants to hang around, must be happy! Sx
Thanks Suzy, I do love the Chinese New Year, it was freezing this year though¬
It’s funny when you get new plants, they always look huge in the house then seem to shrivel when they are planted….here’s to them bushing out soon.
I don’t know why the dogs love cardboard so much, I should just collect old boxes for them instead of expensive toys. Yes, it’s good to keep tabs on fancy pige.xxx
Happy New Year, again! We went out to our sweet, local Chinese restaurant to celebrate, and invited the college boy who staffs it for his family every weekend, to share about the Year of the Goat (or sheep?) and he said, “I don’t really get into all that.” He is studying computer programming and is a wonderful person, but I’m sorry he doesn’t stay more in touch with his heritage.
I’m so excited to see all your wonderful new plants and incredibly encouraged that spring may yet arrive when I see you’ve already planted a few of them! I do love my dogwood for fall and winter color! 🙂 All of your new plants sound like you’ll be enjoying a glorious display year-round, Dina.
So happy for sweet pigeon news, too: thank you for your cheerful post and joy to your week’s end.
I always think it’s a shame when people don’t explore their culture too. There does seem to be a lot of confusion as to whether it’s the Year of the Sheep or Goat, I did ask in Chinatown and was told it’s the goat….
This is always the best time to make new garden plans isn’t it? Ever year I imagine my garden becoming a paradise….maybe one year it finally will. I hope it’s beginning to warm up for you now, and hopefully the snow is thawing!
It is lovely to see fancy pige free but still being cared for. Thanks Kitty.xxx
Gosh I can’t believe spring is just around the corner and your pictures remind me that I need to make a start and tidy up that garden of mine soon.
Love the Chinese celebrations, so colourful especially at this time of year. Happy Chinese New Year to you too!
The weather hasn’t been great has it, it’s no fun gardening when it’s cold and windy. But as you say, spring is here now and hopefully it will warm up! Thanks Karen.xxx
What a wonderful Valentine’s Day present, they look good in your garden. I have quite a bit of the red stemmed Cornus and they do make a wonderful statement in the winter, especially with the sun on them.
I remember St. Lukes Church well from when I used to work in Liverpool. I worked at the bottom of Bold St. at what was then Midland Bank, that was where I met the Under gardener, I think it is now a dress shop!
The Chinese New Year looks good fun.
I love the red stems too, they positively glow in the pale, cold winter sunlight don’t they?
How interesting that worked in Bold street! And….that you met the Under Gardener there….ahhh….how very sweet! Thanks Pauline.xxx
In that fourth photo, are the bare red twigs the dogwood? Three years ago, friends pointed out what they called “dogwood” in a Minnesota ditch. I jumped out and collected a good number of the branches and carried them home. They’ve remained nicely burnished, and reddish, and I plunk various decorations on them from time to time. They look much like yours.
Somehow I thought this was the year of the sheep. I’m glad to know it’s really the year of the goat. Hmmmm…. apparently I have a little trouble separating the sheep from the goats!
Yes, those are the dogwood twigs, some cut them right back each year as the new growth is such a vivid red, sadly I don’t have the heart to do that. How lovely that it grows in Minnesota too, it does make a great Christmas decoration, especially with lights on it.
There does seem to be confusion as to whether it’s the year of the sheep/goat….I’m having the same problem separating them, I did ask at the celebrations and was told goat….so went with that! Thanks Shorecares.xxx
Happy Chinese New Year to you. Lovely to hear what you have been doing!
Thanks Steph, lovely to see how your garden is shaping up too, here’s to the allotment getting sorted.xxx
Tut tut Dina! Get out your little black book; you mean Leptospermum. ‘ Lepto’ = slender and ‘spermum’= seed. They are lovely though whatever you call them, with flowers like crumpled tissue paper.
I love the pictures of the Chinese New Year, it is such a long time since we were in Liverpool.
Was it last Chinese New Year when you locked yourselves out of the house?
Lol…I take the sharp slap on the wrist!!!! I must make a new year resolution NOT to be lazy with the Latin! They do seem to be lovely robust little bushes though! I’m looking forward to the flowers.
You really must visit Liverpool …and ME!
OH…..that awful night was when the giants visited! Thanks Chloris.xxx
Forgot to say – nice to see the funky pigeon is getting on ok now – looks like he will be hanging around for some time.
It’s lovely knowing he’s ok and making sure he has food and water, he’s such a friendly little thing.xxx
Doesn’t time fly – I remember your post from last year about the Chinese New Year – and it only seems five minutes ago. Lovely selection of plants – I’m surprised it was warm enough for you to get out and do a bit. They should look great when they have established. I reckon your two dogs need as Asbo or something – such vandals – a bit like kids at Christmas eh!
I couldn’t agree more re how time flies by….each winter seems to drag, but when you look back a year it seems like yesterday!!! It hasn’t been warm here, but the dogs have to run each day so as I’ve re-seeded the back I’ve had the dogs out in the front so I may as well do a bit, keeps me a bit warmer an all that!
Lol….asbos are certainly called for with my two, but never a dull moment with them! Thanks Elaine.xxx
I really enjoyed reading all about the Chinese new year and seeing how your lovely garden is progressing. And that photo of the dogs with the football in the header is such a great action shot. So sharp.
I hope you are finally over that awful virus and full of energy now 😀 xxx
Thanks Keggs, god bless the new camera eh?? No more blurry dog shots! Would you believe that I’ve had the flu for nearly five weeks now??? I keep catching it over and over…sighs.xxx
A very happy Chinese new year to you dear Dina….you, Hubs and the Furies….oh and I do love those dogs….what a wonderful home they have:)
Hubs must be thrilled with the plants, and your garden is already looking fabulous.
As for that very clever bird deciding to hang around the shelter…..that’s what I call having your cake and eating to:)
With spring not too far off now and all sorts of signs of it around, you must be very excited. Enjoy – and one day I will come and visit you:)xxx
Thanks Janet, lol, those dogs are certainly creative re the endless games they invent…
My garden needs a huge amount of work, hopefully I’ll get there one day. I do try to improve it each year.
Lol….yes, fancy pige knows were his bread is buttered for sure! He is so tame with us, a real sweetie!
Yes….you must come, it will be lovely to finally meet you.xxx
Lucky You!!!! Great Valentine’s Day! That will keep you very busy..Thoroughly enjoyed the posts and pictures for the Year of the Goat! Fabulous…literally. May yours be a Blessed Year of the Goat….Hugs! xxxx
Thanks Bushka, and may your year be blessed and lucky too! Hugs.xxx
As usual Sam and Annie’s action shot steals the show but the Chinese New Year celebrations sound fun! Specially playing the oil drums in the church!!
Well done with your plants and plantings and I hope you both had a lovely Valentine’s Day…
Funnily enough on the coach trip to Shrewsbury on Sunday, I noticed a pub called ‘The Goat’ on Goat Road no less!! How auspicious maybe….?? For the pub and the road!
Glad pige is safe and you are keeping him fed back at the ranch even if he is now on the other side of the fence so to speak! xxxx
Sam and Annie….if they can invent a game they do!!! I thought only kids liked cardboard boxes..
Oh….you would have loved those drums, at one point about twenty of us, all strangers, were drumming away in sync! Drums do get the blood stirring!
Hubs and I had a lovely meal then sneezed and coughed all night…..sighs…
Ha! I loved the goat on goat road….exceedingly auspicious!!!
Lol….yes, pige is now having his cake and eating it! Thanks Arose.xxx
When everyone in your area enjoys amazing health, they can thank your manuka honey shrubs! I think I’ll add that honey to my medicine cabinet. 🙂 Your new year celebration looks like fun. But the dogs may think ripping up a box is even more fun. They are a lively pair! 🙂
Ha yes!!! I really should keep bees now! I would get some manuka honey, it’s works wonders for colds and sore throats. Lol….those dogs turn anything into a game, they think they are still puppies! Thanks Casa.xxx
For some inexplicable reason, your post notifications have started to appear under my promotions (aka advertising) tab. I have also had to give all my details again to reply to you. I have no idea why, I haven’t cleared out my history data….yet.
Fancy pigeon knows he is onto a very good thing. Was he a fancier’s bird? He’s a nice looking bird.
I was curious about the Manuka bush, the origin of the honey perhaps. Would it require lots of regular warmth to flourish?
The Chinese New Year prancing and dancing looks fun. Usually, the couple of Chinese outlets we have here close for a few days so the managers/owners/employees, are able to go south somewhere where there is a substantial community to celebrate with them.
Oh dear….not more gremlins????? I have no idea why you have had to submit details again….why do these weird things happen????
I think fancy pige was a pigeon fancier’s bird, he had a ring on his leg, he is rather pretty isn’t he.
I checked re the manuka honey bushes, I was assured that they are hardy for our climate….I have my fingers crossed though as I have lost plants that were supposed to be hardy in the past…..
I do enjoy the chinese New Year, it was bone-shatteringly cold this year though. Thanks Menhir.xxx
A most enjoyable read with lovely pictures. It looks, and sounds, like you’ve been busy in the garden.
It looks like everyone was enjoying the Chinese New Year despite the weather. xx
Thanks Flighty, I’m cracking on well with the front garden, only because I run the dogs there as I am now re-seeding the back.
I must say that it was absolutely freezing, I lost all feeling in my toes, and it sleeted and hailed unmercifully! Still, a good time was had by all.xxx
Lots of non-Chinese faces which us good to see, I am intrigued as to how the dragon eats the cabbage. A good haul of plants too and red for the new year,
As you say, it’s nice to see such a multi-cultured attendance. The Chinese New Year is always well attended.
The person inside has to climb a metal pole which is held by the others to shred the cabbage….no wonder martial artists wear the dragon! Ahha….yes….I hadn’t realised how many of the plants are red, lots of good luck for my garden then!!! Thanks Sue.xxx
What a great valentine’s gift, it’s good to have plants which will give some interest in the garden during the winter months. Chinese New Year celebrations are always such colourful events, I’m sure there must be celebrations here in Leeds too but I’ve never been. I think Fancy Pige is going to be with you for a while.
I always try to add a few interesting evergreens during winter, that’s when you get to see how bare the garden is. I think I need scores more! Leeds must have a celebration, my daughter went to Uni there, it’s a pretty place. Yes, I think we have a new pet pige, only he flies free. Thanks Jo.xxx
Your plants are a lovely, long lasting Valentine’s gift and it’s good that you’ve got the different areas of the garden all planned out and are adding for every season. Love the action photo of the doggies racing around with the ball and happy to hear that everything is going well with Fancy. Chinese New Year traditions are lively and a lot of fun to watch so thanks for sharing your interesting pics of the Liverpool street celebrations!
Thanks Linda, it’s always lovely to receive living gifts.
Those dogs of mine sure are boisterous!!! Any excuse to play eh….I do love celebrating the Chinese New Year, I enjoyed your post about it too, yes, it’s always so vibrant and interesting.xxx
I also went to a Chinese New Year celebration (but it was held indoor as the temperature was about -15!)
I am glad I read your post as I had not figured out what the dragon’s eating and spitting back the lettuce was all about.
Good luck with the climbing hydrangea. We had one at the old garden that did beautifully. Here I have been buying one every spring for the last 2 or 3 years but they die suddenly. I wonder if it is a blight of some sort (nothing else seems affected). I don’t think I will try again.
Gosh, those temperatures sure sound cold!!!
Glad that you now know about the lettuce/cabbage spitting, it took me a while before I discovered what that was all about too.
Funnily enough, a friend came for lunch and brought me another climbing hydrangea….I was rather pleased. Oh what a shame about yours refusing to grow….I have several plants like that. Thanks Alain.xxx
Plants plants and more plants! That’s love indeed 🙂 They look really healthy and ready to take off once in the ground. Here’s to wishing them luck for 2015! I want to see more of your front garden. Your house is set back a ways from the street, isn’t it?
Fun times celebrating the Lunar New Year. Lots of lucky foods from long noodles to long beans and other special treats. Noodles sound incredibly tempting just now! I really miss ramen but there is no GF substitute 🙁
Glad news about your little pige and hope that he will live a long happy life.
I just LOVE getting plants as gifts, especially if I get to pick what I want!
I shall do a post showing more of the front garden, when it grows a little….yes, our house is a way back from the road.
I should just call it the Lunar year shouldn’t I….anyway, I love celebrating it, it’s always so colourful and vibrant. Ahhh….poor you not having ANY noodles, I couldn’t live without them, they are one of my very favourite food….EVER!!! Thanks Anne.xxx