Some night shots with my camera. All week the poor Semps. have been battered by wind and wet cold rain. They seem alright though.
Regards.
Neil.
p.s. My Acer leaves like landing on them!

I am most excited as in 2004 and announced in 2006 Mr S.W. Leonard found a woody shrub in America that is new to science. it is a witch hazel and only grows in rare places between south Mississippi and Alabama, and only there, It is a north American native and an endangered species.
I managed to get permission from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery to use their pictures of this rare and most beautiful plant called Hamamelis ovalis or the Leonard's witch hazel, it is also called the Big leaf witch hazel. Of course it is very rare and knowledge of it is limited. I have found out what I could and it is on the plant database.
It is unique as the hazel like leaves are twice to three times the size of other Hamamelis leaves and the flowers are either tred, orange, wine red, or bicolour yellow.
A stunning plant.
ATP say it is the first time a picture of this plant has been put on the Database.
Getting permission was not easy, but for you a look at Hamamelis ovalis.
Regards and much love.
Neil.

Photo courtesy Alan Cressler and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Photo courtesy Alan Cressler and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Photo courtesy Jane Unger, Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery, New Marshfield, Ohio.
A lot of work to get permission for these.

Beautiful little flowers. Unfortunately a long way from me, so a photo is all that I will see.

I give talks on native plants and have never heard of this Hamamelis. Thanks for the pictures it will give me something to look up and learn.

Treehugger try these, if not they might know someone who has it. http://hootowlhollow.com/
Or have a look at their pictures of the beautiful trees and shrubs they do, Hamamelis ovalis is on there and they are in the USA. http://www.hootowlhollow.com/p...
Regards.
Neil.

Very exciting tree Neil. And thank you for showing us the wonderful pictures. I expect it takes a few years to be accessible in garden markets. Anyway it is too southern for my country.

My new Article is at http://garden.org/ideas/view/N...
Regards.
Neil.

The beginning of new life as the croziers (new fronds), emerge from one of my soft Australian tree ferns.
Regards.
Neil.

I am so glad they are doing well. I always enjoyed them in England.

I went to the Hospital today and the weather was not bad, Two and a half hours later I came out and it was blowing a gale, Freezing shards of ice cold particles, hit me and everyone else. The wind was awesome and these ice particles hurt, Too cold for snow.
Hope everyone is OK. Made some onion soup and let this gale pass.
Regards to all.
Neil.

ok, even without onion soup.

Dear all, I went to the Hospital as I have hurt my knee. So I have to go to Physiotherapy twice a week. Although my physiotherapist tortures me; she is drop dead gorgeous so I don't mind!
Hugs.
Neil.
Freezing here, soup weather.

Get well Neil. Weather here is sunny, minus 7°C and 20 cm of snow. I hope we will have a white Christmas. I´m glad to see that according to your photos your tree ferns did recover from hardships last year.

I hope your parents are well. I remember your mother from Cubits and all her beautiful embroidery. I usually to some sewing or other art/craft work during winter. My latest is this small patchwork Peace Dove made from a few bits and pieces left from a large bed quilt I made last year and some small crocheted doilies from a large stash I inherited from my mother and her sister. Sending your mother best regards.

Dear Magga, so nice to hear from you! The wonderful physiotherapist at the Hospital says I will soon be well! Mind you she also said " you are not aged, and your face is like a well written page."
So I replied " more like a badly written gardening book, that has been well stamped on."
She could not stop laughing. Maybe I am too logical.
Take care and keep warm.
Regards and warmth from England.
Neil.

Lovely embroidery!

I do so hope everyone is well and had a fantastic Christmas and New Year? The weather here is awful and does not help my knees! I simply cannot walk and it is getting me down.
Lucy Goose is most wonderful, and don't forget in some countries they eat Horse meat, and that is dark as well!
Love & Hugs to all.
Neil.

With 70 inches of snow on the ground & more to come this weekend, flowering plants seem a long time in the future.

Wind 38 miles per hour and rain at the moment here in Reykjavik, Iceland. Temperature 5 C (41 F). Expecting snow tonight. How is the weather in England?

I so hope everyone is well! Unfortunately the Hospital tell me I had a mini stroke, which caused my fall. Just a smashed head, elbow and shoulder and the ability to walk! Getting better now, albeit slowly.
I am so sorry I have not been in contact. I do hope you understand life has bee a tad difficult.
Love you all lots.
Neil.
p.s. Is Nancy OK?

best wishes from all of us.