At last, a dry, sunny day! It seems so long since we had such a day, yes, it is cold, my fingers were feeling numb by the time I got back inside from taking this weeks photos, but I would much rather have the dry cold than non stop rain. I did a post on New Years Day of all the flowers that were out, far more than I thought, so I had to see if there was anything different today.
No 1
The difference is in the sky, just look at that blue! Viburnum bodnantense Dawn is still flowering away, being set off beautifully by the sky.
No 2
This should drfinitely not be flowering, it was photographed on New Years Day but has now opened more buds.
No 3
Another which should not be flowering, this rhododendron has now opened fully and looking lovely. I wonder what it will make of the frost forecast for tonight!
No 4
Hellebores are starting to open, lots of buds showing everywhere, it won’t be long now.
No 5
So many snowdrops are now in flower, this one is Deer Slot, when it opens properly the inner marking is just like the footprint of a deer.
No 6
Daphne bholua is now perfuming the woodland, such a lovely perfume wafting on the gentle breeze that we have today, unlike the gales that have brought down so many twigs and small branches, I have quite a lot of clearing up to do.
Those are my six for today, I took a lot more photos but thought I had better behave and just post 6! Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for organising, do pay him a visit to see what is going on in gardens around the world.
Rhodo, daphne, narcissus… so many flowers ahead of here. It’s really nice!
Glad you like them Fred, but the rhodo and narcissus might regret it tonight when the frost comes, they shouldn’t be out at all!
So many flowers, hope they all survive the cold. I’ve just come in from wrapping a few things up.
I’m afraid they will have to take their chances Jim, the ones that should be out this time of year should be ok, we’ll have to see about the others!
Those flowers are a sure sign that we have had it mild upto now. I hope that they continue to flower for you.
Once it gets light Rosie, I’ll see what sort of a night they have had in the frost!
The weather has changed here too, Pauline, and what a difference it makes. Your flowers are ahead of schedule but so lovely to see! I hope they go on flowering for you.
I does make a difference Catherine to have lovely sunshine for a change, so much grey makes us all very miserable! Hopefully I’ll find the flowers surviving the frost.
Lovely to see your blooms, the blue sky sure does make a difference. That little daff is early, goodness!xxx
The blue sky was so wonderful yesterday Dina, the birds were singing once more and it put a smile on my face. The little daff is far too early, just hope it doesn’t regret it!x
Blue sky and sunshine must feel wonderful, even if cold. Your Daphne is lovely. I lost mine 2 years ago and replaced them last year but they didn’t make it. Must try again though–I really miss them.
It was much colder yesterday Susie, but worth it to see the sunshine once more! Sorry to hear about your Daphne, yes, you must try again, worth it for that wonderful perfume.
Gosh – lots of lovely flowers and a very keen narcissus! The Viburnum bodnantense Dawn against the blue sky looks splendid. It’s been nice to see blue sky again these past few days.
The Narcissus is far too early Graeme, I hope it doesn’t regret it! Seeing the blue sky again was wonderful, seems such a long time since it has been that colour!
Glad the weather has improved Pauline, a blue sky can make all the difference. Hope the rhododendron managed the frost last night. So cold here at the moment, daytime temperatures not getting above -10C.
Wow Denise, that is cold! Thank goodness it doesn’t get that cold here, don’t think my flowers would survive with that amount of frost, do you have lots of snow as well? Keep warm!
Yes Pauline we have lots of snow as well which does actually help insulate the plants a bit. I’m doing my best to keep warm!
I thought you might be under snow from what I saw on the weather forecast, there seemed to be a white splodge where you are and I thought of you!
Gosh, it was a surprise to see your narcissus, Pauline! Mind you, I noticed there are a handful in bud in our neighbours’ verge – they are not ‘gardeners’, so I am sure they will be a very ordinary variety. Do you know what variety your rhododendron is? The change in the weather is going to be a boost to a lot of things, if we avoid a hard frost, that is. I am off to look at your New Year’s Day post now…
It was a surprise to me too Cathy! The Narcissus that should be in flower for Christmas, Rijnveld’s Early Sensation is just showing buds at the moment, no flower yet. The rhododendron was here before we were, so no, sorry don’t know which one it is, it has never flowered at this time before, I hope it doesn’t regret it with the hard frost we had overnight!
I hope things survived the frost well, you really do have quite a few things in flower! I just spent some time catching up and it’s interesting to see how your plants bloom in different orders compared to things here. The viburnums wouldn’t even consider blooming for another month and only ‘Godfrey Owen’ would risk such an early start. ‘Lapwing is barely showing his nose here.
Regardless of timing I’m sure your happy over the color and the dry day. I always prefer cold and dry to cool and wet!
Yes Frank, the flowers did ok and seem fine after the frost that we had. The Viburnum variety Dawn is meant to flower on and off all winter, depending on the weather and G. Lapwing is always an early snowdrop for me, different conditions I suppose. Yes, I definitely prefer cold and dry to warm and wet!