The weather on Tuesday and Wednesday was perfect, lots of sunshine, blue sky, birds singing and the temperature up in double figures. Some time ago I had invited W.I members in the village to see the snowdrops and enjoy a cup of coffee. It was just as well that I took the following photos yesterday (Wednesday) as today (Thursday) it has been raining non stop all day. I set up a slide show so that they could see what the woodland looks like when the sun is shining and the flowers were all open wide.
More and more seedling crocus are opening each day.
All the snowdrops in the sunshine had their petals flying high, this one is G. Magnet.
I love the way that Crocus tommasinianus are seeding around everywhere.
This was how I hoped that my friends would see the woodland, but no, instead we had non stop rain for the whole day in the South West.
Those who came enjoyed themselves, I warned them to bring their waterproofs and gardening shoes, they certainly needed them!
Lots of discussion, lots of questions asked and lots of lovely “oos and ahs” when they found something they liked.
I think Liz was examining a Hellebore. There are a few spots on the photos, they must have been rain drops on the lens – sorry!
WI President, Jane, having a good sniff of Daphne bholua Jaqueline Postill, they all thought the perfume was divine!
I’m glad my little bridge could take their combined weight! A very wet and soggy visit was over, all the plants had been examined and we went back to the house to get dry, have another cup of coffee and more chocolate biscuits!
What a pity that the day was spoilt with rain, still it looks as if they are all enjoying themselves. We have had heavenly weather up until today when it is raining. Your snowdrops and crocuses look wonderful and have spread so well. Your Daphne has a spreading habit similar to my Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’. My Jacqueline is more upright. Funny how the vary .
What a wonderful time this is in the garden when the sun shines. So much to enjoy.
The rain didn’t spoil the day Chloris, as long as you are dressed for the rain, it doesn’t seem to matter.
Today is thick fog at the moment, hopefully it will clear . The wild snowdrops look as though they need splitting again, so that is a back breaking job for me to do soon! The sunshine does make such a difference as to how the flowers behave, when there’s no sunshine they stay tightly closed, I can;t say I blame them.
The woodland is looking spectacular Pauline!
Thanks Jessica! The flowers and the birds put on a wonderful display for my visitors!
Everyone looks like their are having a great time despite the rain Pauline. I’m sure they enjoyed your lovely garden, how could they not!
I think they did enjoy themselves Christina, while having their first coffee they were amazed at all the birds coming to the feeders. Then the flowers earned lots of comments when we went for our tour of the woodland and when the rain came down harder we retreated back into the house for more coffee and biscuits!
I think I would enjoy a tour of your pretty woodland whatever the weather, and coffee and chocolate biscuits would be an added bonus! Shame it rained, but you have some lovely photos you could show them. It’s nice that your crocus are spreading well. I fear your weather is coming our way Pauline, but at least it should wash the remaining snow away!
You’re welcome any time Cathy! Year on year the crocus spread even further without any effort from me, that’s the sort of gardening I like! The rain didn’t spoil our enjoyment, they all came well prepared for the weather. I hope your snow soon goes and that you will then be able to enjoy your garden.
It is so refreshing to see the first blooms of spring…Truly lovely.
Than you Charlie, it is a lovely time of year here with all the spring bulbs popping up, it makes me explore the garden, no matter what the weather!
Your right, the sun makes all the difference. Your first picture of snowdrops is lovely.
So glad you like them Alain, when the sun shines and the flowers are open, the woodland is a very special place for me.
Hi Pauline,
Hrm, I wish my Tommies would see around! Instead I’ve lost one of my largest clumps closest to the house – a clump generally used in photographs because they get full sun at this time of year when most others are still in shade 🙁
It’s been a poor year here for spring bulbs so far, so instead I’ll have to enjoy yours and of course sit here fighting extreme envy 🙂
Did the weather brighten for you? It did here in the afternoon, although it still wasn’t as warm as Wednesday, which was lovely and I managed a spot of garden tidying.
Liz, I’m so sorry to hear that you might have lost some of your spring bulbs, do you think it would be mice or squirrels?
The rain stopped by late afternoon and this morning started out foggy but we now have sunshine once more! When the sun shines it certainly makes me want to be working in the garden.
Shame about the weather Pauline but it seems that the ladies of the WI are hardy perennials content come sun or rain. Wet, wet, wet here too.
Yes Anna, we are all a hardy bunch! Around mid-day the rain was torrential but it had stopped by late afternoon. In spite of the weather they seemed to really enjoy themselves which was nice.
They all looks very happy, I think they had a great time in your garden. I do the same with my friends, in the moment we have no sun, it is realy cold since two days.
Sigrun
It’s good to share our garden with friends isn’t it Sigrun, I can’t be selfish and keep it all for myself! I hope your weather improves soon so that you can enjoy your garden.
nice to see people enjoying your wonderful garden. They look damp but happy!
We were all rather damp by the time we came in, but another cup of coffee or tea soon warmed us up. My friends certainly enjoyed themselves and asked lots of questions, thank goodness I was able to answer them all!
Too bad about the rain but your woodland garden would be delightful no matter. I love the little Crocus tommasinianus. Someday I will follow through on my intentions to add a few to my own little garden. I read with interest yesterday that at Sissinghurst Crocus tommasinianus are outcompeting other little bulbs in the Lime Walk to the point staff plans to begin deadheading the crocus and actively removing corms from the beds. https://sissinghurstcastle.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/signs-of-life/
Thanks for the link to Sissinghurst Susie, I don’t think I have the problem yet that they do! They are such a pretty little crocus, it’s a shame that they spread too far for some people.
How proud you must have felt with everyone admiring your delightful woodland, tell you what, a little rain wouldn’t have dampened my pleasure, and I’m sure it didn’t dampen theirs. How wonderful it’s looking.xxx
They certainly seemed to enjoy themselves Snowbird, in spite of the rain! I agree it was nice hearing all their comments, it made all the work worthwhile.
It sounds like a great day out for your visitors, in spite of the wet…. although I’m sure sunshine would have been appreciated!
Even in the rain the woodland looks great. The crocus would look nicer opened up, but I’m glad to see spring coming out in your end of the world!
We had a lovely time Frank, yes, it would have been nicer without the rain, but we still enjoyed ourselves! Spring is certainly just around the corner, the birds think so too, in their bright breeding plumage, it won’t be long before there is an explosion of flowers all over the garden!
Hi Pauline, Spring has definitely come to your neck of the woods! Your woodland garden is a breath of fresh air to this snowbound woman. It’s wonderful to have a group to discuss, compare and share your passion with. The snowdrops are lovely but, I’m partial to color after a drab winter. Love the Crocus! Happy gardening!
It certainly looks as though spring has arrived Sally, but the temperatures are still near to freezing!
I really did enjoy my visitors and talking about snowdrops, I think I might have a couple of converts, which would be good. The Crocus do make a nice splash of colour amongst all the white.
Have a good weekend, I hope your temperatures are improving, you have certainly had it very cold where you are.
Lovely indeed to be able to share your garden in this way – and I had to smile at how well prepared they arrived for the weather 🙂 I am not at all surprised they enjoyed your woodland blooms despite this. Damp here on Thursday too after two days of sunshine, but not unpleasantly so.
I think we had all been watching the weather forecast Cathy, after 2 lovely days, it was a shame it rained, the following day was beautifully sunny too! I think in this country we are all prepared for the worst! We all enjoyed having a good chat about plants and gardens and they were all fascinated by the variety of birds coming to the feeders.
How nice of you to share your garden which is delightful even in the rain! Your guests look like they were having a wonderful time! The whiskey you added to the coffee must have done the trick!
So that’s why we were all a bit merry Peter! I feel I ought to share the garden when it is looking so pretty, well the woodland is, even if the rest of the garden is still a mess. They all enjoyed themselves in spite of the weather, if you are wearing the right clothes it doesn’t matter what the weather throws at you!
Pauline your garden looks great! Mine is only straw and canes at the moment… I like the crocuses and that Magnet snowdrops. I have no doubt your visitors had a great time even with bad weather! Your garden is always worthing a visit, I mean it.
It was nice to share the garden with others Alberto, who enjoy gardening.The crocus get better and better each year, they are throwing their seeds far and wide, making nice patches of colour between the snowdrops.Thank you for your lovely comment!