The difference in the woodland at the end of this month is the change of colour from the white of the snowdrops to the yellow and white of the narcissus. When I went into the woodland to check that everything was ok after storm Katie paid us a visit , a few days ago, the only damage I found was that a honeysuckle up one of the oak trees had blown away from the tree and was lying across the fritillaries. Thank goodness no damage was done to either the honeysuckle or the fritillaries and the honeysuckle is now safely tied back in place.
Primroses are everywhere and increasing year on year.
Pink violet. Not yellow and white, I know, but there are a couple of pink flowers.
Corydalis Beth Evans
Corydalis solida.
A seedling from Corydalis solida, looking very much like Beth Evans.
Another seedling of C. solida which is much paler.
A double headed Fritillary meleagris.
“Baxendales Late”, my last snowdrop to flower. We have had snowdrops in flower now for 4 months as they started flowering in December due to the warm weather we were having at the time.
Narcissus Thalia, one of my favourites.
Spanish bluebells, I dig them out every year, but up they come again, it seems I will never be rid of them! I think some bulbs must have got down in between the rocks that are holding up the bank of the ditch.
Narcissus Jack Snipe, this is now spreading all by itself.
Cyclamen repandum which is now starting to seed around.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus are increasing nicely, the path used to be wider at this point until they put themselves here!
False oxlips, where primroses have crossed with cowslips.
More fritillaries are opening each day, soon I’ll be able to do a post about them.
Quite a few have jumped across the path and are starting to colonise the opposite border.
Scilla siberica seem to like where I have put them on a slight slope in the woodland.
They are such a stunning blue, which contrasts with the yellow and white around them.
They are joined by Muscari.
All the clumps of Leucojum aestivum are coming to the end of flowering. They started before Christmas, so I think they have earned their rest!
I’ll end with a few general views.
Fritillaria meleagris.
March/ April is now hopefully as interesting as when the snowdrops were in full flower. I have planted a few more hostas, ferns and epimediums for interest during the summer. What I did find though is, that there are so many roots in the soil, planting new plants and bulbs is getting more difficult. I’ll soon have to put up a sign saying that the woodland is full, there’s no more room!
I’m linking this post with Helen’s End of Month Review, please visit her here to see more reviews.
Nice to have plants spread themselves around to help you out with the planting. Your woodland area holds so many treasures–delightful.
Susie, I love it when special plants seed around and multiply themselves, it shows that they have the right conditions. More little treasures are coming on in the green house at the moment, I just hope I can find a space for them without tree roots!
The fritillaries are so beautiful. I’ve got to give them another go.
Thanks Jessica, I’ve just been reading that they like their heads in the sun while flowering (as mine are while the trees are bare) but they don’t like their roots in the sun during the summer (mine are in the shade of the trees in the summer), hope this helps, do try again as they are such lovely flowers.
Your spring flowers are looking wonderful – a great selection. I am definitely getting some Scilla – I have been admiring them everywhere this year. I planted Thalia last year after admiring them on blogs – I am looking forward to seeing them flower. Your cyclamen is new to me too. Thanks for a very interesting post.
I’m glad you like them Annette, they certainly make me happy! I don’t think Cyclamen repandum is quite as hardy as C.coum and C hederifolium, it might not like your Aberdeen winters, but if you have a sheltered spot, it’s worth giving it a go. The good thing about the Scillas is that they seed around and then hopefully become another drift!
What lovely flowers you have blooming! I did not know that primroses and cowslips would hybridize–that’s really fascinating. And the false oxlips are pretty in their own right, aren’t they? So much to admire. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Linnae, glad you like them. The false oxlips are as tall as cowslips but the flowers and their colour are from the primroses, I like them too. I suppose I shouldn’t have planted them together, most of my cowslips are in a different part of the garden, keeping them away from the primroses!
Hi Pauline,
You have so many beautiful flowers blooming! I have never seen a pink violet…..it’s amazing! And, Cordyalis! I haven’t had much luck with them but, yours are beautiful…..ahh, there’s nothing on this earth like an English garden!!
It’s all the rain Sally, there has to be a plus side to our wet weather! I have tried a few blue Corydalis flexuosa but they don’t last long here unfortunately, however I’ve found that C.solida seem very happy so will try to find more.
What an plethora of spring blooms Pauline. Interesting that up here the Corydalis are going over yet the daffs are still in bud. One day my wee woodland will grow up to be just like yours. I note your comments above re the Corydalis. Give Corydalis malkensis a try – they should do well just as C. solida is doing with you.
Angie, I certainly will give C. malkensis a try, it would be great to have some more varieties. I love the idea of your little woodland growing up, it all takes time and gardening teaches us all patience!
Your woodland garden is an inspiration. I’m looking forward to your fritillary post!
Thank you Kate, all the flowers there are looking so pretty at the moment. Your wish has been granted, fritillary post has been published!
Oh that Beth Evans is a beauty!!
She is isn’t she Cathy, such a pretty colour. I believe there is a white one, so I must track it down!