Deciding yesterday to nip out into the garden while there was a bit of sunshine, to take my photos for this months GBBD, all of a sudden it went very dark and very cold, and there I was, in a hail storm! This was followed by a day of torrential rain and the wind was hurricane level blowing straight at the south coast, our poor trees are being battered once more.
My last post was all about my snowdrops, so only a few have sneaked into a couple of general views this time. Mostly , this months flowers are my Hellebores.
By the back door, the Chaenomeles is still flowering, this must be its third month now and it is still covered in buds.
They might look white in the photograph, but I can assure you that these primroses are the wild, cream ones that are dotted round the garden.
Cyclamen coum with G. nivalis and G.nivalis flore pleno in the front garden by the red stemmed Cornus.
The back garden border just before the archway into the woodland. Hellebores, snowdrops and I can see a few pulmonaria flowers too.
There’s lots of Cyclamen coum in the woodland, the ants are doing a good job of spreading the seed.
The spring snowflake, Leucojum vernum flowering in the woodland, the flowers look like Tiffany lampshades and are so pretty amongst the snowdrops.
An early narcissus which has been flowering for quite some time now is Rijnveld’s Early Sensation, the other narcissus aren’t very far behind. Soon the predominate colour in the woodland will change from white to yellow.
Coming up behind some Cyclamen hederifolium foliage is Crocus Tommasinianus, which only opens when the sun is shining, they were open the other day, but not today.
Forming ground cover under a Daphne bush is Cardamine pratensis. I planted this when I learnt that this is the larval food for the Orange Tip butterfly. The flowers are very pretty and it doesn’t seem to be too invasive.
Daphne bholua Jacqueline Postill is still pumping out her perfume in the woodland, its delightful to be anywhere near it, there are lots of buds still to open.
Iris reticulata Edward (I think) on the alpine scree, doing very well indeed, multiplying nicely. I must buy some more and put them in the woodland at the end where there is a slope in the sunshine. They should have the drainage there that they need and contrast well with the snowdrops.
Another Iris, this time I. unguicularis, is still flowering from the New Year, not bad.
While clearing the fallen branches and twigs, I noticed that G.Wendy’s Gold had opened up 9 flowers, two of them on the same stem, the one on the right. So, starting off with just one bulb 4 yrs ago, there are now 5 bulbs which have produced 9 flowers so far and I can see 3 flower buds still to come, I think she is my new favourite!
A general view of the woodland showing some of the snowdrops, more are opening each day, some are still pushing upwards, so there will be snowdrops for me to enjoy for a few more weeks.
The gales howled through the trees all night, I’ve been out to check, but everything is still standing upright in the woodland, thank goodness, just masses of twigs and small branches everywhere.
Thanks, once again to Carol at May Dreams Gardens, for hosting this monthly peek at what is flowering in people’s gardens round the world, do pay her a visit.
Hi Pauline,
Very jealous of all your Hellebores, still only a few open here but plenty of others in bud so hopefully soon they’ll open for me.
No Daffs here yet, but I don’t have many and I think generally they must be later bloomers because I don’t see them for another couple of months yet.
I hope you don’t suffer any damage in the latest storm.; it’s really tiresome now, isn’t it?
I agree Liz, the Hellebores are behind last years, there are still a few that are taking their time thinking about opening. Yes, the storms are making me feel really fed up, not being able to get out into the garden to work is so frustrating, it will take so long to dry out. Thankfully, the woodland is the only place we can walk on a bark chipping path, so at least I can come and enjoy all the flowers there.
Gorgeous!
Your garden is far ahead of anything in these parts… Mine got set waaaay back when the temp got down to 7 degrees last month… I didn’t know that single digit temps killed hellebore blooms… and damaged tender new leaves…
Where’s the pics of the hail… and dropped branches?
Thank you Stone. I can’t say that frost or snow has ever damaged hellebores here, are you talking 7 degrees F or C?
When the hailstones came down, I got inside as quickly as possible!
“are you talking 7 degrees F or C?”
Sorry…
This is The States…
Fahrenheit… so… minus 14 C.
7 degrees C wouldn’t bother nething…
That is seriously cold! No wonder your hellebores weren’t happy! Thanks for getting back to me.
Have not been able to venture out today other than a quick hop into the greenhouse Pauline although it has stopped raining and started to brighten up now. So heartening to see all those signs of spring in your garden. I have pulmonaria rubra ‘Redstart ‘ in flower but none of the spotty dotty ones just yet. My cardamine planted in 2013 has still to show any signs of life – hoping that I have not lost it but I imagine that you are bit further on than us.
For once Anna, we had a lovely sunny day, after the rain first thing had departed. None of my special pulmonarias are doing anything yet, just the “spotty dotty” varieties! Just a few weeks ago, there wasn’t much sign of the cardamine, so hopefully yours will catch up soon.
Iris Edward is a fantastic colour!
It is encouraging to know that a single snowdrop bulb can multiply so fast.
But, what is this.. ‘special’ pulmonarias? OMG, I’ve only just got started on the snowdrops. Please tell me the pulmonarias are cheaper.. Who ever said shade was boring?
He does stand out Jessica, and looks ever so smart. Some snowdrop bulbs seem to increase ever so well, they’re the ones I like! Don’t worry, pulmonarias are so much cheaper than snowdrops, I only have 3 and I think it will be staying at 3! Shade boring- never!
So glad you had a better day today Pauline – we have had sporadic rain, wind and sun in recent weeks so haven’t really suffered like you and many others have. No wonder you are getting fed up with it. Such a joy seeing all these flowers in your post – and the central hellebore is a bit different isn’t it? I like the look of your cardamine and must try and get one for the woodland edge border.
Today Cathy, has been so much better, not much wind and not too much rain, more of a shower like we used to have before Christmas! The woodland always cheers me up at this time of year, but especially this year when the rest of the garden is out of bounds due to it being absolutely sodden.
The cardamine has only just started flowering, there will be lots more, then the whole plant vanishes about June time, so it is never a problem. I must move some of it to other areas to make some more ground cover.
Despite your fierce weather battles, your garden is like an oasis. Very fine to see these gorgeous blooms Pauline. They must bring you so much pleasure.
We are all hoping Susie, that the worst of the weather may be over, at least that’s what they tell us. It will take so long for the water to come down from the hills and then for everywhere to start drying out. Thank goodness we live on the side of a hill and the woodland still has all its pretty bulbs, which haven’t been affected by all the rain, to lift my spirits.
The stormy weather in the UK seems neverending, but I do hope you have some better days soon. The hellebores are absolutely glorious. What a great collection you have. Mine have yet to flower. But with a very mild 12 degrees today my snowdrops are slowly but surely starting to open! Narcissus in February is so encouraging… makes you feel spring is really here. 😀
Cathy, the forecasters are now saying that the weather will slowly start to get better next week, we all just hope that they are right! So glad your snowdrops are starting to flower, I’m sure your hellebores won’t be far behind. My narcissus is an early variety, but it means that the others will be flowering soon and that spring can’t be far away!
Your Hellebores are wonderful, and I like the ways you showed them. Are you using the same programme you wrote about earlier in the year? I deleted from my PC after you said that it might be dangerous, but I did think it was a great way to show groups of similar photos.
Thank you Christina, and yes, I’m still using the same programme, http://www.fotor.com/features/collage.html, as when I went onto my security provider they stated that I was protected from spyware that caused problems in Cathy’s computer. I have had no trouble at all with it and am very happy with the results that I get. I felt that putting up 13 different photos of hellebores might get a bit boring for some people!
All snowdrops and hellebores are under snow here (in Ontario, Canada). It is a blessing as the snow acts as an insulating blanket that protects them. However it means our spring gets squeezed into a short period. Instead of a succession of spring flowers, we have a big burst when the snow finally melts.
Alain, nice to hear from you, thanks for stopping by. The snow will be keeping your flowers nice and warm, you will be enjoying yours when ours are finished and faded for another year!
Looking at your photos reminds me of more and more flowers that would normally be blooming here now. I guess I should view them as treats yet to come. ‘Wendy’s Gold’ had a reputation for being vigorous as your plants are showing. Mine have not multiplied quickly—maybe I need to move them. ‘Primrose Warburg’ is the vigorous yellow for me.
Carolyn, your flowers will be biding their time under their blanket of snow. I had no idea Wendy’s Gold was so vigorous, I was going to split the 5 bulbs as they are so close together, but seeing as she is doing so well, I think I will leave her alone for a while yet.
What a wonderful selection of Hellebores you have Pauline and of course I’ve admired the Chaenomeles before, it stunning.
I’m sure the Cardamine pratensis is one I grow in the pond. I must look that and the orange tipped butterfly up although I’m doubtful it will visit here in Scotland.
Thanks for sharing your blooms and I do hope the weather isn’t too bad today for you.
Angie, the weather today has been perfect!!! Beautiful warm sunshine all day, it has made such a difference being able to be in the garden for a bit today.
I don’t think Cardamine pratensis would like to live in a pond as it seems very happy in the woodland, maybe its one of its relatives?
The Chaenomeles is just going on and on, more and more flowers are opening up each day, it is an amazing plant!
Your hellebores are gorgeous with some lovely colours and shapes, too. It’s wonderful seeing the woodland really coming to life now although I’m still waiting for my primroses to really flower here. The blue of the iris is quite striking at such a dull time of year.
Wendy, the woodland is my favourite part of the garden at the moment, it is certainly the prettiest! The Hellebores and iris give lovely colour at a dull time of year and make us think that spring can’t be far away.
Your Edward is of such a stunning blue! Great selection of hellebores which certainly put mine to shame, Pauline. They must like your soil. Chaenomeles is about to open here too but to have it flowering for three months already is quite amazing. Ever since I spotted the first cyclamen flowers in your blog, things have started to pick up and I’m delighted to see the little, cheerful lanters of coum in my border. Have a great week 🙂
Blue is such a lovely colour Annette, at any time of year, but it really sings out in the dull grey of December. Being on such heavy clay, I was so thrilled to find that Hellebores liked it, so over the 23 yrs we have been here, I have been buying 2 or 3 each year, which makes quite a lot all together!There are signs of spring everywhere, it can’t be far away.
You have lots of lovely treasures in bloom Pauline. I love your Hellebore collage. I have never heard of Wendy’s Gold having two flowers on one stem. I have Mrs.Thompson which regularly does this but she is known to. I wonder if your Wendy’s Gold will do the same next year.
Aren’ t the flowers of February magical?
February Chloris, is when everything starts off again, a month full of promise, as you say “magical”. I too have never heard of Wendy’s Gold having 2 flowers on the one stem, others yes, but not Wendy, she must be very happy where she is. I will watch to see if she repeats this next year.
spring’s definitely started out your way, Pauline. I love the Chaemoneles – looks so Japanese. And of course the hellebore collage.
I agree Catmint, spring is on its way, buds are fattening and parts of the garden are looking quite colourful. I’ve often thought that the Chaenomeles has a touch of the orient about it. My other plant C. Apple Blossom only flowers in the spring, just as well really because it is right at the top of the garden in with the veggies, but the grass is so waterlogged, we daren’t go up there yet.
Mmmm, really lovely, particularly that wonderful collection of hellebores. I covet the pale yellow one. I have a chaenomeles too, but still no sign of buds, one year on. Ah well, there’s always next year!
Janet, my other Chaenomeles took a few years before it started flowering, gardening teaches us patience, I’m sure yours will soon! I’m so thankful that the Hellebores like my heavy soil, usually one or two get added each year, can one ever have too many hellebores?!
I thought about you when I heard there were hurricane force storms in your part of the world. I am glad your garden came through OK! I love your hellebores, as well as your snowdrops. Your description of spring snowflake as a tiffany lampshade made me smile. I agree! We are a little too far south to grow snowdrops but snowflakes do well here, and I adore them. I have been impatiently searching for signs of spring. We are overdue! Today I saw some hellebores blooming and some daffodil buds beginning to swell. Flowering quince and forsythia are waiting for a few warmer days. Hopefully, soon!
Thank you Deb for thinking about us, we are some of the lucky ones, there are dreadful floods in the west of the country and the Thames valley, thank goodness we live on the side of a hill. Some farms, houses, and businesses have been flooded for nearly 2 months now, but we are being told that the worst is now over. America and Canada have had it very bad, we have seen it on our news programmes, so much snow and so very cold.
I hope spring isn’t far away for you, once the hellebores start flowering, it can’t be far away, can it?!
What a glorious montage of hellebores, Pauline, and interesting that you find they enjoy your heavy clay – must invest in more. Also fascinating to hear how vigorous ‘Wendy’s Gold’ is. It was one of the three I was planning to treat myself to this year, but I was baulking at the price per bulb. You’ve encouraged me to have a go. Your woodland garden looks enchanting!
Cathy, if I find something that likes heavy clay, then I repeat it or buy more from the same family. Hellebores seem to love it when I add leaf mould to the planting hole and then mulch with it each November when cutting off the old leaves.
I am amazed that Wendy’s Gold has turned out to be so vigorous,the bulbs are expensive, that’s why I only bought one! But if she multiplies so well, she is so worth it!!