Not a day passes where there aren’t noticeable changes happening. Ok, so you do have to look fairly closely but the green jewels are so very obvious against the brown/grey left behind by the snow.
On Saturday I visited the dreaded Dobbies Garden Centre, there were a few perennials reduced which obviously I had to pick up. A few of them were shade/moist lovers, perfect for some barren shady areas in the garden that I have mostly neglected for the past three years I’ve been here.
My Hellebore ‘Niger’ given as a present from my nan died last summer. So I had to replace it, only a small gift from my nan but it surprised me how much she seemed to know what I’d like – no doubt my mum had something to do with it! (And of course Cheryl for getting me hooked on Hellebores too)
I opted for a plant with only one flower in bloom but with a number of buds coming through.
I also picked up Astrantia ‘Snowstar’ and it has a small number of fresh leaves…
Iris Reticulata are popping up everywhere now, in the past few days their numbers have increased dramatically. They should've been joined by pretty cyclamen, sadly they're mushy brown now.
The self-sown viola has bloomed again after the snow. It is much hardier than those bought during the Summer/Autumn. I guess this is an excellent reason to grow your own species as it is hardy and completely unique. I’m assuming it must be a cross with the canary yellow violas and whites I’ve had?
They’ve produced these lovely little creamy violas with nice cheerful faces.
Fresh leaf on one of my ‘mystery’ Hellebores, it should be some type of Harvington double, I just don’t know which. The second isn’t doing as well though and I also have Picotee to add to my growing collection.
Another Snowdrop has popped up which wasn’t there a few days ago, there are more along the side of the house too which have suddenly appeared.
These Muscari have also shot up as they were not there when I last took photos a few days ago.
I think these seedlings might be poppy seedlings, what do you all think?! They’ve popped up in the Blackcurrant pot.
And here are the Blackcurrant buds waiting to burst open.
Comfrey shows signs of life
An unknown found in the strawberry hanging basket…
Osmanthus has flower buds waiting, it’ll probably be another month before they open.
12 comments:
It is so exciting to see all the new growth in your post! Winter is here for much longer alas! Lovely Hellebore. One of my all time favorites. A steam train . . . here there is no steam only snow and sleet rolling in. Lovely post Gwirrel!
You have me a bit jealous. Every sign of spring around the corner. Buds and little leaves springing forth. Here we are having freezing rain, followed by snow. I am just going to make due seeing everyone's gardens coming to life, ahhhh.
Wonderful. I'm feeling the itch to buy more hellebores too. Love your viola, and much more special to know it is unique to your garden. Which reminds me, must buy seed...
Isn't it lovely when the garden starts to come back into life - i have just a fe hints of green emerging and it's a really cheerful sight - after the bloody awful smow
Hi Carol,
Thanks, I have to agree that it's far too exciting going out every day and spotting all the changes... I try to stop myself going every day so that it's more of a surprise when I do.
I hope your snow and sleet soon melt, I think we all need some warm weather now!
Hi GWGT,
Sorry to hear you're having such bad weather, it's been a strange winter and I'm surprised we have coming up what we do. The snowdrops are around a month earlier than last year. I just don't understand it, even with all the deep snow we had and freezing temperatures for around a month. Yet, here they are!
Hi Janet,
I enjoy buying the Hellebores, and especially enjoy knowing that early insects will appreciate their nectar yet I never know where to plant them!
The Viola probably isn't unique, but I know I definitely didn't buy any violas that colour or plant them in the pot they've taken over - my pot with muscari in!
Seed... I have too much and have to stop myself buying more!
Hi Janet,
I enjoy buying the Hellebores, and especially enjoy knowing that early insects will appreciate their nectar yet I never know where to plant them!
The Viola probably isn't unique, but I know I definitely didn't buy any violas that colour or plant them in the pot they've taken over - my pot with muscari in!
Seed... I have too much and have to stop myself buying more!
Hi,
I'm a little concerned that things seem to be so early, but I assume they've been fully hardened off considering the very cold temperatures we had in December!
We have sun again at the moment, but the temps have also dropped. Not sure if I would rather have the blanket grey and mild temps back!
Dear Liz, I am so envious of your early spring! I have a great desire to plant more hellebores ... but with my garden under snow, I must be patient. Great pics! P x
Hellebores and violas are among my favorites of early spring. It's exciting to see the changes, though our weather is nasty and cold again so I haven't checked in a few days. It seems your spring may be a little ahead of mine!
Blackcurrants hold hope all winter.Each autumn I'm astonished that they get prepare their leaf buds for the next year more or less straight after fruiting.
Esther
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