Snowdrops

I've let this blog slide for a long while - years, in fact - but what better time to revive it than when snowdrops are flowering and Spring seems round the corner.

I've been out and about - to Kedleston and Hopton Hall  - to see snowdrop displays, but the photos here were taken in my garden.

Starting many years ago from a small clump they've spread, by seed, by me dividing and re-planting just after flowering, by birds lifting the shoots in early spring, till they almost circle the back lawn (and a couple of escapees have rooted among the rhubarb).

As the first real sign of Spring (or at least the end of winter) snowdrops are always a welcome sight, and this year they seem to have done exceptionally well. The weather has been kind. They don't mind cold nights, and so far February has been free of snow or heavy rain which can flatten them.

Snow and after

Like most of the country, last week we had snow. Lots of it, piling up on the windows, and blurring the lawn, flower beds and paths.











It was a bit unexpected as I thought we'd seen the end of winter and were moving into Spring, but it's not unknown at this time of year.

What worried me most was the state of the flowers hidden beneath the snow - while irises held their own against the weather, snowdrops and daffodils 'flopped' over with the cold (minus 6 for a couple of nights), and were then covered by a snow blanket which crushed them to the ground.

At weekend the snow started to melt - and these daffodils weren't looking well. I didn't think there was much hope of them reviving so I pulled a few for vases in the house, and they seemed  to pick up.

 And as the snow retreated, so did most of those outside. Their buds even seem to be opening, so in a few days there should be a 'normal' display of daffodils.

The snowdrops too bounced back, and, strangest of all, crocuses had been growing under the snow, and as it melted they emerged in flower!








I hope we're now finished with dramatic weather and can move gently into spring!

Almost like Spring ... Saturday in the garden

Today has been a glorious day, with the sun almost high enough to shine over the neighbours' leylandii and let a little more light into the garden, so, in keeping with my attempt to spend an hour outside each day of February, I've been out weeding and clearing, and generally pottering in the garden.

I'd expected to just spend a few minutes at things then head back inside so I didn't bother changing to 'gardening clothes' - which is how I ended up with my rather impractical shoes caked in mud!

The snowdrops are nearly in flower but many of them are throttled by 'weeds' - though when I say 'weeds' I actually mean this creeping invasive campanula. I planted it long ago for its pretty blue flowers but I've since got tired of its spreading habit and can't seem to get rid of it.

As its entwined itself round snowdrops and daffodils, each tiny plant has to be pulled out individually, which isn't fun when the soil is cold and damp. Still, I got quite a bit out today and got a shock at the same time. I thought at first that I'd disturbed a mouse, but no, it was a frog! It's probably come from next door's pond but I'm very surprised to see one hopping round the garden this early in the year.

When I'd had enough of the 'close work' of pulling out campanula, I got a spade and turned over a small area of veg patch to plant out some lanky red cabbage seedlings. I should have done this before winter rather than after, and they may just bolt without hearting up, but I'll see. I've had to protect them with chicken wire as birds are proving very troublesome this year, pecking at the larger cabbages. 

With the sudden lettuce shortage this week I was delighted to find spinach growing well and some small self-set lamb's lettuce, though not enough of either to keep me in salad. It's early to set lettuce but it was very warm in the greenhouse today so after the next few cold nights have passed I might set some rocket in trays in there.

Pottering in the sun

 The sunshine drew me outside today but proved deceptive and after half an hour or so I was getting cold!

 Spring seems to have really arrived with snowdrops, primroses and daffodils.

 I'm taking advantage of the good weather and starting some lettuce in the greenhouse

and today I got the first of the small vegetable beds turned over.
Mud on my boots and dirt under my fingernails makes it feel really like Spring!

Groundhog Day - again

kitchen window daffs

February has started with washing-flapping, door-banging, rubbish-flying wind - and sunshine for the morning of Candlemas/Groundhog Day. Supposedly this is a bad sign for weather watchers, meaning there's six weeks of cold wintriness before Spring really appears.

early daffs battered by wind

good to have more to follow

It doesn't seem believable today though as Spring seems well advanced already -   snowdrops starting to take over the rockery, daffodils in flower (I'm sure this is the earliest I've seen that!), crocuses, polyanthus, even a single grape hyacinth encouraged by the oddly mild winter...

and sheltering in the greenhouse I found a really early anemone in flower. This normally stays in a pot outside but as it was already in bud I moved it inside a couple of weeks ago when we had a short spell of snow and frosts.

What a difference a week makes...

 Last Sunday we woke to snow - the first of this winter! But by the evening it had all melted away and the garden looked none the worse for it.

The daffodils were still standing...





the new leaves on the clematis still growing..




...even the new, totally unseasonal, shoots of montbretia looking ok



and these couple of feverfew flowers still somehow hanging on from summer

This week we've had some sharp, white-over frosts which have made the bergenias look rather ragged but these last couple of days Spring seems to have arrived with buds on snowdrops, crocuses, polyanthus and daffodils.

 It feels like any day now the garden could suddenly explode with colour - as if it were March rather than January!

While my back's been turned....

 I haven't been well for the past week so not out and about in the garden much. What I have spotted from inside though is that Spring is advancing happily enough without me. Snowdrops are starting to die back but it doesn't matter because purple crocus and bright yellow daffodils are bringing their colour to the garden.

March in flowers

 March has come in with sun, snow showers and blustery winds but it definitely feels like Spring is on the way. Although the garden is still dominated by snowdrops, lots of others are starting to show. Unusually there were daffodils out for St David's Day - only two, but they're bright and cheerful.

 There are polyanthuses showing every shade of pink, purple and red.

 Buds on the bergenia.

 and the first crocus showing colour.