Our weather has suddenly changed once again. Today we have storm Doris howling outside, thank goodness I took my photos a few days ago, before they got flattened! In all our shady borders there are bulbs popping up everywhere and adding their colour to the dark background around them. I’ll start in the front garden with the border by the drive.
Hellebores are doing well and most have now opened their flowers.
Wild snowdrops among the red stemmed Cornus, some of the clumps are ready for splitting.
Iris unguicularis Walter Butt looking so delicate but must be tough to flower at this time of year.
Cyclamen coum is starting to seed around at last, I was thinking that they never would. Maybe I ought to give them a helping hand, I don’t know if the ants are active at this time of year.
A lovely double hellebore down near the entrance to the driveway.
Moving round to the side garden, the old bath is near the back door and you will see that purple Pauline has woken up at last to join all her friends.
I think I actually preferred it when it was just the blue Iris reticulata with the crocus.
Moving round to the woodland at the back, little splashes of sunshine are opening everywhere, this is Tete a Tete.
Tiny Scilla siberica are starting to flower at the end of the woodland. It is strange that these always flower before the ones on the alpine scree which is in full sun, maybe they are more sheltered here from the cold.
A very tiny daffodil, only as tall as the snowdrops, not sure which one this is unfortunately.
Iris reticulata Sheila Ann on Snowdrop Hill along with Crocus Whitewell Purple and I see a couple of C. tommasinianus have seeded themselves there too.
A view of mixed bulbs in the woodland.
Corydalis solida on the slope by the ditch in the woodland, this one seeds around with different coloured offspring, I really must move them to better soil.
Hamamelis Arnold Promise is getting into his stride now, he certainly took his time!
Hamamelis mollis Pallida has eventually started flowering, they both seem very late this year for some reason.
Crocus tommasineanus is popping up everywhere in the woodland, even in the path.
Almost back to the house now, Iris unguicularis is under the dining room window and has been absolutely amazing this year with lots of flowers non stop since January.
Round to the back door once again, the Chaenomeles is still going strong. I’ve not noticed many bees on it so maybe I’ll have to get my paint brush out if I want any fruit in the autumn.
I hope you enjoyed wandering round the shady borders with me, I think today, with the storm raging, is a day to stay indoors., a chance to catch up with the housework which has been neglected for so long now!
I enjoyed the tour very much. What a pleasure the garden must be right now, everything so pretty and fresh. Has it been warm enough to sit outside? Our spring is 2 to 3 weeks ahead of usual and I’m afraid its risky business. The Japanese maple outside my home office is budding, which can’t be good. It’s new foliage is very susceptible to cold.
No Marian, it hasn’t been warm enough to sit outside, just to work outside without a coat. Our Japanese Maples have loads of tiny buds, I hope they wait a while before getting any bigger, hope yours don’t unfurl too soon!
Spring’s (late winter) floral beauty fills gardeners with giddy anticipation of the bounty to come. Beautiful blooms! What is this housework thing of which you speak? Seems like something I’ve heard about before but haven’t actually participated in for a long time. We only invite people over when it’s dark outside and dim lighting inside doesn’t allow guests to see the thick layer of dust on everything.
Gardening is far more interesting than housework at any time of year, but it seems especially now Peter. I can’t believe you are as bad as me!
Crocus tommasineanus seeds itself everywhere, a welcome and quietly spectacular bulb. I am unable to mow the lawn in March because I need them to to replenish themselves for the next year. I do not know “Walter Butt” but it makes a change from the similarly bright reticulata species. Yes, spring is coming!
Good to hear from you Ian. I agree that C.tommasineanus is a fantastic bulb, it always seems to seed itself in just the right place, they must look wonderful in your lawn. Iris Walter Butt looks so delicate, shivering in the wind with its pale petals, but is remarkably hardy.
So many delightful blooms. I particularly like the Iris with the impossible species name and sky blue flowers.
I agree Jason, it is a lovely Iris, shame about the name!
Pauline, your garden is a riot of spring colour, I love it! You’re a testament to what can be achieved over time with a bit of thought to the seasons. I tend to get caught up in the moment with gardening, having mostly grown vegetables, but this year I’ve been paying more attention and will make plans for next spring – more Iris needed, I think!
Thank you Caro,once I decided to make the woodland garden, I was amazed at how many plants flower early in the year. The Iris family is amazing, there are flowers for nearly every month of the year and every situation, I too must buy more!
A woodland/shady garden is so rewarding isn’t Pauline? When I think of all the years I thought gardening was only possible in the sun lol! Sheila Ann is really pretty, I must see if I can get some. I actually like the additional colour that Pauline brings to your tub (even if she does make it deviate from the Swedish flag!)
I was the same as you Denise, it was a steep learning curve when we moved here and I found so much shade! Beth Chatto’s books soon put me on the right track and the garden I have today is all thanks to her. I have to admit though, that the shady part of the garden (half of it) is now my favourite bit, woodland ephemerals are so dainty and pretty, I’m finding new ones all the time to add to what I already have.
The crocuses in the bath look stunning Pauline! Perhaps this is the way for me to grow Spring bulbs. I wonder if it will defeat the mice.
So far Jessica, the mice have left the crocus alone that are in the bath, I don’t think they can climb the slippy sides! Will they leave them alone if I move them to the woodland though. I always tidy up every scrap of skin from the bulbs when planting, in case the mice smell that and know that bulbs are nearby.
Your Spring flowers are a joy. I moved to a new build in October from a large old garden so only have pots at the moment but longing to get planting. Do you have your chaemenomes on a trellis or is it freestanding? I have never grown one but am looking for things to put in shade.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a message Rose. I’m so glad you like all the little flowers that I have flowering at the moment. I’m sure you must be so eager to start planting in your new garden, you have an exciting time ahead of you! The Chaenomeles is fastened to a trellis which is fixed to the house, but mine is in sun for most of the day. Beth Chatto’s book about Woodland Gardening was such a help when I found we had so much shade, there are so many lovely little plants that love the shade of deciduous trees in the summer, but the sun in the spring before the leaves come onto the trees.
The back and forth of Spring is always a surprise. Never knowing what to expect, till, the bulbs just forge ahead! So beautiful!
It’s a lovely time of year Jayne, but completely dependant on the weather! Lots more bulbs are opening each day, but more cold weather is forecast so maybe they will slow down. So glad you like all the flowers.
I enjoy them each day Cathy, but not the day Doris struck, that day I stayed safely inside while small branches and twigs were raining down in the woodland, thank goodness there was no real damage! There are usually new flowers opening each day, so Spring has certainly arrived.
What glorious blooms Pauline – it must be a delight to walk round the garden and see them (although not when a storm is howling of course!)
Thank you Cathy, I must admit I’m enjoying my morning visits to the woodland at the moment. Little bulbs make February a very colourful month. I stayed safely inside while Doris was howling through the trees, I’m now still busy picking up little branches and twigs.
A complete feast to the senses, Pauline. Aren’t all the small bulbs glorious, they fill our gardens with joy in a way that larger plants rarely do. We nee such temptations to lure us outside on cold days but what a reward when we do.
They are aren’t they Christina. Way back before I was interested in gardening, I thought February was such a dull, dreary month in the garden. No more, all the little bulbs are delightful, well worth the visit, even when it is so cold!