With January coming to an end, we finally had some winter weather. Winter is just not winter without a light dusting of snow at least. I know we rarely have it as bad as some but it's always nice to see the wintery effect it brings to the garden.
Clumps of Galanthus nivalis are dotted around the garden at varying stages of growth, who can fail to love Snowdrops in the Snow?
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Galanthus nivalis in the snow |
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More G. nivalis in the snow |
Not quite ready to flower yet, Galanthus Jaquenetta under the witch hazel should have 2 flowers this year - it's all good!
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Galanthus Jaquenetta |
I was pleased that I managed to get the new Eranthis in the ground at the beginning of the week. They look far better in the ground than out and those yellow blooms are like beacons - I can see them from the house.
Crocus are standing tall whilst the snow melts round about them. Aren't they brave wee soldiers?
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Crocus chrysanthus |
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Crocus chrysanthus Romance |
In the side garden, the Cyclamen coum had only just got started and has been flattened by the weight of the snow. I'm sure it will pick itself up again. Cyclamen coum doesn't like my garden as much as C. hederifolium does, this is all that is left from 3 good sized pots planted a few years back.
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Cyclamen coum |
Bowing under pressure - Helleborus x ericsmithii Pirouette began to pick up as it thawed out once the sun hit it.
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Helleborus x ericsmithii Pirouette |
Remnants of the earlier snow fall, the ice acts as a bit of bling around the cones of the Abies koreana Silberlocke.
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Abies koreana Silberlocke |
In a pot outside the back door the monochromatic effect of the snow dusting Ophiopogon nigrescens looks rather dramatic. The shoots of Iris reticulata Harmony are just beginning to poke their noses up into the light.
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Ophiopogon nigrescens |
Out in the front garden, a bud from Rosa Jude the Obscure, wears a little white cap courtesy of the snow.
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Rosa Jude the Obscure |
To round of such a lovely day - I spotted Woodrow the Woodpecker in a tree over the back. Poised with the camera to capture a few shots, I spotted something quite different hopping around on the snow covered lawn. A new species to visit the garden, this Pied Wagtail hung around for a long time helping itself to what ever it could find. I hope it's not just a one off visit. Woodrow never did appear however!
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Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) |