Lou Nicholls
@loujnicholls.bsky.social
Gardening writing, art, botany, horticulture
Horticultural adventures & other blarney
horticultural trainer, consultant
Freelance writer, public speaker
www.linktr.ee/loujnicholls
Horticultural adventures & other blarney
horticultural trainer, consultant
Freelance writer, public speaker
www.linktr.ee/loujnicholls
Snowdrop advent calendar day 4
Galanthus nivalis ‘Llo‘n’ Green’
Discovered in France at Mount Louis in 1999 by Joe Sharman and Dr Alan Leslie
A really early nivalis selection (20th jan approx) that has green tips on the outer tepals to varying degrees
A really charming drop 🤗
Galanthus nivalis ‘Llo‘n’ Green’
Discovered in France at Mount Louis in 1999 by Joe Sharman and Dr Alan Leslie
A really early nivalis selection (20th jan approx) that has green tips on the outer tepals to varying degrees
A really charming drop 🤗
December 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Snowdrop advent calendar day 4
Galanthus nivalis ‘Llo‘n’ Green’
Discovered in France at Mount Louis in 1999 by Joe Sharman and Dr Alan Leslie
A really early nivalis selection (20th jan approx) that has green tips on the outer tepals to varying degrees
A really charming drop 🤗
Galanthus nivalis ‘Llo‘n’ Green’
Discovered in France at Mount Louis in 1999 by Joe Sharman and Dr Alan Leslie
A really early nivalis selection (20th jan approx) that has green tips on the outer tepals to varying degrees
A really charming drop 🤗
Good morning
Heres some sunshine for a potentially grey day, more work on improving the borders, splitting, dividing etc
Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun'
A result of crossing Mahonia japonica & Mahonia lomariifolia in the 1950s. Released in 1966, swiftly became a popular plant
Have an awesome day 🌱
Heres some sunshine for a potentially grey day, more work on improving the borders, splitting, dividing etc
Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun'
A result of crossing Mahonia japonica & Mahonia lomariifolia in the 1950s. Released in 1966, swiftly became a popular plant
Have an awesome day 🌱
December 4, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Good morning
Heres some sunshine for a potentially grey day, more work on improving the borders, splitting, dividing etc
Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun'
A result of crossing Mahonia japonica & Mahonia lomariifolia in the 1950s. Released in 1966, swiftly became a popular plant
Have an awesome day 🌱
Heres some sunshine for a potentially grey day, more work on improving the borders, splitting, dividing etc
Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun'
A result of crossing Mahonia japonica & Mahonia lomariifolia in the 1950s. Released in 1966, swiftly became a popular plant
Have an awesome day 🌱
Snowdrop advent calendar day 3
An ever popular classic 'Diggory'
Named after the son of the finder, Rosie Steele, a distinct cultivar of Galanthus plicatus
Its flowers are large & balloon shaped with a wonderful pleated effect like seersucker cloth
#galanthus #snowdrop #gardenadventcalendar
An ever popular classic 'Diggory'
Named after the son of the finder, Rosie Steele, a distinct cultivar of Galanthus plicatus
Its flowers are large & balloon shaped with a wonderful pleated effect like seersucker cloth
#galanthus #snowdrop #gardenadventcalendar
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Snowdrop advent calendar day 3
An ever popular classic 'Diggory'
Named after the son of the finder, Rosie Steele, a distinct cultivar of Galanthus plicatus
Its flowers are large & balloon shaped with a wonderful pleated effect like seersucker cloth
#galanthus #snowdrop #gardenadventcalendar
An ever popular classic 'Diggory'
Named after the son of the finder, Rosie Steele, a distinct cultivar of Galanthus plicatus
Its flowers are large & balloon shaped with a wonderful pleated effect like seersucker cloth
#galanthus #snowdrop #gardenadventcalendar
Good morning
Great day yesterday we got 2 borders almost finished, still a bit to do but hopefully it will stay dry for us
Todays plant
Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter-flowering honeysuckle
Introduced to the UK 1845 from China
The flowers are highly scented of lemon & vanilla
Have a brilliant day 🌱
Great day yesterday we got 2 borders almost finished, still a bit to do but hopefully it will stay dry for us
Todays plant
Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter-flowering honeysuckle
Introduced to the UK 1845 from China
The flowers are highly scented of lemon & vanilla
Have a brilliant day 🌱
December 3, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Good morning
Great day yesterday we got 2 borders almost finished, still a bit to do but hopefully it will stay dry for us
Todays plant
Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter-flowering honeysuckle
Introduced to the UK 1845 from China
The flowers are highly scented of lemon & vanilla
Have a brilliant day 🌱
Great day yesterday we got 2 borders almost finished, still a bit to do but hopefully it will stay dry for us
Todays plant
Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter-flowering honeysuckle
Introduced to the UK 1845 from China
The flowers are highly scented of lemon & vanilla
Have a brilliant day 🌱
Snowdrop advent calendar day 2
Galanthus 'Alans treat'
Originally found in Normandy in 2003 by the late Alan Street its a beautiful poculiform with virescent outer tepals
Its considered bad form to name a plant after yourself
So a clever play on words was employed to sidestep this rule 😂
Galanthus 'Alans treat'
Originally found in Normandy in 2003 by the late Alan Street its a beautiful poculiform with virescent outer tepals
Its considered bad form to name a plant after yourself
So a clever play on words was employed to sidestep this rule 😂
December 2, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Snowdrop advent calendar day 2
Galanthus 'Alans treat'
Originally found in Normandy in 2003 by the late Alan Street its a beautiful poculiform with virescent outer tepals
Its considered bad form to name a plant after yourself
So a clever play on words was employed to sidestep this rule 😂
Galanthus 'Alans treat'
Originally found in Normandy in 2003 by the late Alan Street its a beautiful poculiform with virescent outer tepals
Its considered bad form to name a plant after yourself
So a clever play on words was employed to sidestep this rule 😂
Snowdrop advent calendar day 1
(Delayed)
This little shining beauty is 'Madeleine'
Found at Joe Sharman's nursery Monksilver and named for his niece
It has plicatus in its ancestry but is definitely a hybrid.
The yellow colour can be very variable according to light levels and soil conditions
(Delayed)
This little shining beauty is 'Madeleine'
Found at Joe Sharman's nursery Monksilver and named for his niece
It has plicatus in its ancestry but is definitely a hybrid.
The yellow colour can be very variable according to light levels and soil conditions
December 2, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Snowdrop advent calendar day 1
(Delayed)
This little shining beauty is 'Madeleine'
Found at Joe Sharman's nursery Monksilver and named for his niece
It has plicatus in its ancestry but is definitely a hybrid.
The yellow colour can be very variable according to light levels and soil conditions
(Delayed)
This little shining beauty is 'Madeleine'
Found at Joe Sharman's nursery Monksilver and named for his niece
It has plicatus in its ancestry but is definitely a hybrid.
The yellow colour can be very variable according to light levels and soil conditions
Good morning
A much brighter day today so back onto the borders giving them the love they deserve
Today's plant is
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
introduced by Robert Fortune in 1844 or 1858 dependingon sources, verdun, France
Aka windflower
Have a brilliant day 🌱
A much brighter day today so back onto the borders giving them the love they deserve
Today's plant is
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
introduced by Robert Fortune in 1844 or 1858 dependingon sources, verdun, France
Aka windflower
Have a brilliant day 🌱
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Good morning
A much brighter day today so back onto the borders giving them the love they deserve
Today's plant is
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
introduced by Robert Fortune in 1844 or 1858 dependingon sources, verdun, France
Aka windflower
Have a brilliant day 🌱
A much brighter day today so back onto the borders giving them the love they deserve
Today's plant is
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
introduced by Robert Fortune in 1844 or 1858 dependingon sources, verdun, France
Aka windflower
Have a brilliant day 🌱
Good morning
Looks like a very wet week ahead but thats ok, we have lots of dahlias to clean & Chrysanthemums to pot up
Today's plant is
Petasites pyrenaicus
Aka winter heliotrope, introduced to the uk in 1806 from the Mediterranean
There are ONLY male plants in the uk
Have an awesome day 🌱
Looks like a very wet week ahead but thats ok, we have lots of dahlias to clean & Chrysanthemums to pot up
Today's plant is
Petasites pyrenaicus
Aka winter heliotrope, introduced to the uk in 1806 from the Mediterranean
There are ONLY male plants in the uk
Have an awesome day 🌱
December 1, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Good morning
Looks like a very wet week ahead but thats ok, we have lots of dahlias to clean & Chrysanthemums to pot up
Today's plant is
Petasites pyrenaicus
Aka winter heliotrope, introduced to the uk in 1806 from the Mediterranean
There are ONLY male plants in the uk
Have an awesome day 🌱
Looks like a very wet week ahead but thats ok, we have lots of dahlias to clean & Chrysanthemums to pot up
Today's plant is
Petasites pyrenaicus
Aka winter heliotrope, introduced to the uk in 1806 from the Mediterranean
There are ONLY male plants in the uk
Have an awesome day 🌱
Good morning!
Its Friday again!
Its been a really good week, we got all of the tulips in, all the dahlia, chrysanthemum and cannas lifted and 2 borders done really thoroughly
Paraserianthes lophantha, Cape wattle, Crested wattle, Brush wattle or plume albizia
Have an amazing day 🌱
Its Friday again!
Its been a really good week, we got all of the tulips in, all the dahlia, chrysanthemum and cannas lifted and 2 borders done really thoroughly
Paraserianthes lophantha, Cape wattle, Crested wattle, Brush wattle or plume albizia
Have an amazing day 🌱
November 28, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Good morning!
Its Friday again!
Its been a really good week, we got all of the tulips in, all the dahlia, chrysanthemum and cannas lifted and 2 borders done really thoroughly
Paraserianthes lophantha, Cape wattle, Crested wattle, Brush wattle or plume albizia
Have an amazing day 🌱
Its Friday again!
Its been a really good week, we got all of the tulips in, all the dahlia, chrysanthemum and cannas lifted and 2 borders done really thoroughly
Paraserianthes lophantha, Cape wattle, Crested wattle, Brush wattle or plume albizia
Have an amazing day 🌱
Good morning!
Yesterday was an opportunity for some really beautiful frosty photos with a start of -4.5
It was really lovely!
A much warmer cloudier day ahead as we cut down and weed the herbacous borders
Hopefully staying dry
Have a wonderful day 🌱
Yesterday was an opportunity for some really beautiful frosty photos with a start of -4.5
It was really lovely!
A much warmer cloudier day ahead as we cut down and weed the herbacous borders
Hopefully staying dry
Have a wonderful day 🌱
November 27, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Good morning!
Yesterday was an opportunity for some really beautiful frosty photos with a start of -4.5
It was really lovely!
A much warmer cloudier day ahead as we cut down and weed the herbacous borders
Hopefully staying dry
Have a wonderful day 🌱
Yesterday was an opportunity for some really beautiful frosty photos with a start of -4.5
It was really lovely!
A much warmer cloudier day ahead as we cut down and weed the herbacous borders
Hopefully staying dry
Have a wonderful day 🌱
Good morning
A tired start today but i finally feel I'm starting to recover from that awful virus!
Todays beauty is
Eranthis hyemalis, or winter aconite
Introduced to the UK in the 1500s from France, Italy, & the Balkans, has since become widely naturalised
Have a fantastic day 🌱
A tired start today but i finally feel I'm starting to recover from that awful virus!
Todays beauty is
Eranthis hyemalis, or winter aconite
Introduced to the UK in the 1500s from France, Italy, & the Balkans, has since become widely naturalised
Have a fantastic day 🌱
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Good morning
A tired start today but i finally feel I'm starting to recover from that awful virus!
Todays beauty is
Eranthis hyemalis, or winter aconite
Introduced to the UK in the 1500s from France, Italy, & the Balkans, has since become widely naturalised
Have a fantastic day 🌱
A tired start today but i finally feel I'm starting to recover from that awful virus!
Todays beauty is
Eranthis hyemalis, or winter aconite
Introduced to the UK in the 1500s from France, Italy, & the Balkans, has since become widely naturalised
Have a fantastic day 🌱
Good morning
Hopefully a dry day ahead as were finishing up on planting the tulips, last 1000 to go!
Iris unguicularis, the Algerian iris, a winter flowering, scented plant thats native to Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, and Tunisia.
Have an awesome day! 🌱
Hopefully a dry day ahead as were finishing up on planting the tulips, last 1000 to go!
Iris unguicularis, the Algerian iris, a winter flowering, scented plant thats native to Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, and Tunisia.
Have an awesome day! 🌱
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Good morning
Hopefully a dry day ahead as were finishing up on planting the tulips, last 1000 to go!
Iris unguicularis, the Algerian iris, a winter flowering, scented plant thats native to Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, and Tunisia.
Have an awesome day! 🌱
Hopefully a dry day ahead as were finishing up on planting the tulips, last 1000 to go!
Iris unguicularis, the Algerian iris, a winter flowering, scented plant thats native to Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, and Tunisia.
Have an awesome day! 🌱
Good morning
We are fully into snowdrop season
I have peter gatehouse & 3 ships in flower at home
This is Dryad Gold Sovereign
Saw a list of snowdrop prices that were based in fantasy yesterday
Careful of buying from disreputable sellers. Contact a snowdrop grower for advice
Have a great day 🌱
We are fully into snowdrop season
I have peter gatehouse & 3 ships in flower at home
This is Dryad Gold Sovereign
Saw a list of snowdrop prices that were based in fantasy yesterday
Careful of buying from disreputable sellers. Contact a snowdrop grower for advice
Have a great day 🌱
November 24, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Good morning
We are fully into snowdrop season
I have peter gatehouse & 3 ships in flower at home
This is Dryad Gold Sovereign
Saw a list of snowdrop prices that were based in fantasy yesterday
Careful of buying from disreputable sellers. Contact a snowdrop grower for advice
Have a great day 🌱
We are fully into snowdrop season
I have peter gatehouse & 3 ships in flower at home
This is Dryad Gold Sovereign
Saw a list of snowdrop prices that were based in fantasy yesterday
Careful of buying from disreputable sellers. Contact a snowdrop grower for advice
Have a great day 🌱
I have come home early as im feely a bit rough still and i want my own bed but im absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Clifford Crook cup
Thank you @alpinegardensoc.bsky.social
Thank you @alpinegardensoc.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I have come home early as im feely a bit rough still and i want my own bed but im absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Clifford Crook cup
Thank you @alpinegardensoc.bsky.social
Thank you @alpinegardensoc.bsky.social
Last few, including the wonderful Nick Bailey ❤️
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Last few, including the wonderful Nick Bailey ❤️
Lots of wonderful people including my annual Guy Barter looking ascance at me 😂❤️
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Lots of wonderful people including my annual Guy Barter looking ascance at me 😂❤️
Photos from yesterday!!
Lots of lovely garden people and xmas at the savoy!
Lots of lovely garden people and xmas at the savoy!
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Photos from yesterday!!
Lots of lovely garden people and xmas at the savoy!
Lots of lovely garden people and xmas at the savoy!
Good morning!
Yesterday was wonderful and im really looking forward to today too!
Off to the alpine garden societies AGM with the associated lectures
Lots of fantastic things to learn and lovely people to see ❤️
Have a great day! 🌱
Yesterday was wonderful and im really looking forward to today too!
Off to the alpine garden societies AGM with the associated lectures
Lots of fantastic things to learn and lovely people to see ❤️
Have a great day! 🌱
November 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Good morning!
Yesterday was wonderful and im really looking forward to today too!
Off to the alpine garden societies AGM with the associated lectures
Lots of fantastic things to learn and lovely people to see ❤️
Have a great day! 🌱
Yesterday was wonderful and im really looking forward to today too!
Off to the alpine garden societies AGM with the associated lectures
Lots of fantastic things to learn and lovely people to see ❤️
Have a great day! 🌱
Good morning
Another chilly start at =2, proper wintery weather and i am looking forward to my first dose of xmas at the savoy today!
So heres my favourite winter shrub
Chimonanthus praecox
Wintersweet, a highly scented winter flowering shrub, just gorgeous!
Have a great day 🌱
Another chilly start at =2, proper wintery weather and i am looking forward to my first dose of xmas at the savoy today!
So heres my favourite winter shrub
Chimonanthus praecox
Wintersweet, a highly scented winter flowering shrub, just gorgeous!
Have a great day 🌱
November 21, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Good morning
Another chilly start at =2, proper wintery weather and i am looking forward to my first dose of xmas at the savoy today!
So heres my favourite winter shrub
Chimonanthus praecox
Wintersweet, a highly scented winter flowering shrub, just gorgeous!
Have a great day 🌱
Another chilly start at =2, proper wintery weather and i am looking forward to my first dose of xmas at the savoy today!
So heres my favourite winter shrub
Chimonanthus praecox
Wintersweet, a highly scented winter flowering shrub, just gorgeous!
Have a great day 🌱
Good morning
An exceedingly chilly start to the day with a high possibility of some snow
Perfect timing to show you this early flowering crocus that appreciates a bit of protection from the elements
Crocus cambessedesii
native to Baleares (Majorca, Minorca)
Have a fantastic day, stay warm 🌱
An exceedingly chilly start to the day with a high possibility of some snow
Perfect timing to show you this early flowering crocus that appreciates a bit of protection from the elements
Crocus cambessedesii
native to Baleares (Majorca, Minorca)
Have a fantastic day, stay warm 🌱
November 20, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Good morning
An exceedingly chilly start to the day with a high possibility of some snow
Perfect timing to show you this early flowering crocus that appreciates a bit of protection from the elements
Crocus cambessedesii
native to Baleares (Majorca, Minorca)
Have a fantastic day, stay warm 🌱
An exceedingly chilly start to the day with a high possibility of some snow
Perfect timing to show you this early flowering crocus that appreciates a bit of protection from the elements
Crocus cambessedesii
native to Baleares (Majorca, Minorca)
Have a fantastic day, stay warm 🌱
Also, super annoying that it put the pic on its side when i rotated it to the correct orientation!
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Also, super annoying that it put the pic on its side when i rotated it to the correct orientation!
Good morning
Lots of tulips planted yesterday, more today. Cannas got lifted too!
Helvella crispa
White Saddle also known as the Elfin Saddle or Common Helvella
A mildly toxic mushroom that does a great job of decomposing leaf litter
Have a marvelous day!
Lots of tulips planted yesterday, more today. Cannas got lifted too!
Helvella crispa
White Saddle also known as the Elfin Saddle or Common Helvella
A mildly toxic mushroom that does a great job of decomposing leaf litter
Have a marvelous day!
November 19, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Good morning
Lots of tulips planted yesterday, more today. Cannas got lifted too!
Helvella crispa
White Saddle also known as the Elfin Saddle or Common Helvella
A mildly toxic mushroom that does a great job of decomposing leaf litter
Have a marvelous day!
Lots of tulips planted yesterday, more today. Cannas got lifted too!
Helvella crispa
White Saddle also known as the Elfin Saddle or Common Helvella
A mildly toxic mushroom that does a great job of decomposing leaf litter
Have a marvelous day!
Good morning
Knackered but back up to speed
over 700 bulbs planted yesterday, missle ahead today
Tulbaghia violacea
society garlic, pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic
A bulbous perennial with a strong garlic scent, in the uk it flowers late summer
Native to south Africa
Have a great day
Knackered but back up to speed
over 700 bulbs planted yesterday, missle ahead today
Tulbaghia violacea
society garlic, pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic
A bulbous perennial with a strong garlic scent, in the uk it flowers late summer
Native to south Africa
Have a great day
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Good morning
Knackered but back up to speed
over 700 bulbs planted yesterday, missle ahead today
Tulbaghia violacea
society garlic, pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic
A bulbous perennial with a strong garlic scent, in the uk it flowers late summer
Native to south Africa
Have a great day
Knackered but back up to speed
over 700 bulbs planted yesterday, missle ahead today
Tulbaghia violacea
society garlic, pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic
A bulbous perennial with a strong garlic scent, in the uk it flowers late summer
Native to south Africa
Have a great day
Today we mostly dug up 300 odd bulbs just to replant 700 odd in their place 😭😂👍
Im absolutely wiped!
Im absolutely wiped!
November 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Today we mostly dug up 300 odd bulbs just to replant 700 odd in their place 😭😂👍
Im absolutely wiped!
Im absolutely wiped!
Good morning
Winter is here!
Im feeling okish, which is a vast improvement
Helleborus × hybridus
Christmas rose and Lenten rose, or just plain hellebore
An evergreen perennial that comes into its own at this time of yeat with beautiful blooms in all sorts of colours
Have a fantastic day! 🌱
Winter is here!
Im feeling okish, which is a vast improvement
Helleborus × hybridus
Christmas rose and Lenten rose, or just plain hellebore
An evergreen perennial that comes into its own at this time of yeat with beautiful blooms in all sorts of colours
Have a fantastic day! 🌱
November 17, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Good morning
Winter is here!
Im feeling okish, which is a vast improvement
Helleborus × hybridus
Christmas rose and Lenten rose, or just plain hellebore
An evergreen perennial that comes into its own at this time of yeat with beautiful blooms in all sorts of colours
Have a fantastic day! 🌱
Winter is here!
Im feeling okish, which is a vast improvement
Helleborus × hybridus
Christmas rose and Lenten rose, or just plain hellebore
An evergreen perennial that comes into its own at this time of yeat with beautiful blooms in all sorts of colours
Have a fantastic day! 🌱