Winter in Cumbria and book reviews

Winter has finally arrived in Cumbria and despite the very cold weather we have also had some lovely sunny, sharp winter days. There is a sprinkling of icing sugar snow capping some of the higher peaks and the sun makes the water in the Lakes shine a deep blue. No doubt we are in for more frost and snow shortly but today is another perfect bright day although not warm enough to entice me out into the garden.

We have reviewed quite a few books on the Reckless Gardener website recently. Take a look - there are some really good gardening books out lately and several would make fab presents for Christmas. We have reviewed Dear Christo - a really lovely book with excellent pictures and some great memories of the late Christopher Lloyd and Gt Dixter. We have also reviewed Val Corbett's 'Winter in the Lake District' rather appropriate for this time of year. Some really stunning photographs in this book which really bring out the very essence of the Lakes at this time of year.

I also enjoyed Amy Stewart's book 'Wicked Plants - The A-Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate and otherwise offend. Published by Timber Press, this little book is packed full of information about some of our more deadly and less inviting plants with stories and legends. Having read this I feel the Aconite must go! Great little book and certainly of interest to every gardener. Amy tends a poison garden of her own in California and confesses that she is enchanted by the plant kingdom's criminal element - you will be too.

London's Green Awards are on show at the Garden Museum in Lambeth so if you are looking for a bit of inspiration on how to make your bit of London greener, or more biodiverse go along and see how other gardener's in the capital have tackled it. There are monthly winners in these awards which are organised by the Conservation Foundation and they are always looking for new nominations. Check out www.conservationfoundation.co.uk for further information.

As we are nearing Christmas I notice the onslaught of Poinsettia plants in shops and nurseries. Apparently, this year there will be several shades on sale - not just the lovely deep red we all enjoy but some stunning ivory and soft pinks as well? I haven't seen any myself as yet but I am realiably informed they are out there. So for something stunning get a soft pink Poinsettia and set it against a lime and silver background for a totally un-conventional Christmassy look. Poinsettia has been voted the third most evocative symbol of Christmas in a pan-European survey run by Poinsettia breeders - some 100 million are sold throughout the season.

Despite the heavy frost we had the other evening the garden here in Cumbria seems to be relatively happy and we even have some roses still flowering. I've left the bracts on some of the perennials to add to the wintery feel. If you find your garden under tons of snow or soaking wet from all that rain and you can't get out to do any jobs then sit by the fire with a nice cup of coffee and look through all your gardening catalogues and give yourself some inspiration for the new year ahead. Another gardening season awaits - its only just round the corner really!