What a lovely day yesterday was, after a week of almost non stop rain. I made a start on tackling all the leaves that are down in the woodland, clearing away the worst from round all my special snowdrops so that they can be seen to their best advantage. The blackbirds and robins soon came to join me as they could then find all the little wriggling things that were now exposed. Lots of bulbs are now almost flowering, soon the woodland will be looking very pretty once more, in the meantime, here are my 6 for this week.
No 1.
The first of my drumstick primulas is rashly starting to flower just as the weather is going to turn colder once more.
No 2.
Cyclamen coum now flowering on the rockery, there are some deeper pink ones not far from these.
No 3
Iris reticulata Pauline almost flowering on the alpine scree. This one is multiplying nicely, but I think our projected cold spell will hold them back a bit, I was hoping they would open this weekend.
No 4.
Hellebores are all starting to open, this one in in the back garden in a shady corner.
No 5.
Garrya elliptica caught in a shaft of sunlight in the back garden. The tassels will get even longer as more of the small flowers open.
No 6.
The small lilac coloured flower is Cardamine pratensis, Cuckoo flower, which is the larval food of the Orange Tip butterfly which we have in our garden, I’m happy for the caterpillars to nibble it! At last the buds are showing on my Narcissus Rijnveld’s Early Sensation, they should have been flowering at Christmas, but better late than never!
Lots of snowdrops are now flowering, maybe next week’s six will be all snowdrops, the problem will be , which six do I choose! Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting once more, do pay him a visit if you want to see gardens from round the world.
Lucky you, I’ve still not seen any sign of snowdrops in my plot.
The snowdrops that are flowering now Rosie are special early ones, there are quite a few that start flowering at Christmas.
Do you have a tip on how to make the Garrya flower? I once saw a magnificent specimen and bought a plant a couple of years ago, but it has not yet flowered, Those Iris look promissing.
I think the Garrya flowers on last years wood, I know that one year I gave mine a good haircut and lost the flowers the following year, hope yours flowers next year. The Iris opened up this afternoon, just too late for this week!
Full of signs and new flowers, which shows that spring is approaching…
You’re an optimist like me Fred! I think we have quite a bit of winter to get through yet, although it is nice to see the bulbs starting into life again.
Lovely to have a bit of company when you’re gardening. So much happening in your garden already Pauline, it’s this time of year when I feel most the difference between our climates! I too have Cardamine, but have not yet seen any Orange Tip butterflies. Maybe this year.
We’re back to having a cold spell this week Denise, so I imagine the flowers will be on hold for a bit. I’ve enjoyed the company of my feathered friends, they come down as soon as I start work, at least now my snowdrops won’t be nibbled any more.
What a delightful selection. Your blooms are way ahead of ours.xxx
Thanks Dina! I think the frost this week will hold all the flowers back now, lots more to come though when it warms up again next weekend!x