By comparison the garden this year is of to a flying start! This time last year saw the entire garden stuck in limbo and the only plants that were blooming here last March was Hellebores, Snowdrops and Iris reticulata. Not forgetting the couple of inches of snow we had just prior to my Bloom Day Post.
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| Bloom Day March 2013 |
What a difference a mild winter really makes. I'm a tad apprehensive about acknowledging Spring's arrival. I generally don't mark spring until we change the clocks at the end of the month knowing full well things can always take a turn for the worse at the drop of a hat!
Join me for a wee walk around and admire what's flowering today
Those same Iris reticulata flowering right on cue minus the snow! These were from a packet of multi coloured bulbs bought from a budget store a few years ago. I've tried comparing other's I've seen for an id but had no luck doing so yet.
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| Unknown Iris reticulata |
A couple of tiny pots with left over viola plugs. Bought in autumn, the ones in larger pots have thrived and multiplied, they have filled out the little pots just nicely. A cheap and cheerful way to add some colour.
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| Violas |
Also growing in a container - Ophiopogon. Is under planted with Iris reticulata Harmony, which has now gone over. Making way for Chionodoxa forbesii Pink Giant. After 3 years in this container, I think it's time they found a permanent home in the ground - time for another experiment!
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| Ophiopogon and Chionodoxa forbesii Pink Giant |
Hellebores continue to nod their heads gracefully when the wind gets up. Most of my Hellebores are now of a reasonable size - they make quite a statement where ever you are standing in the garden.
This, I think is Helleborus lividus, purchased Spring 2013, I then found out they are possibly not hardy enough to grow here. I was so confident it wouldn't make it through a normal winter, I tossed the label!
The oriental hybrids have been flowering for a few weeks now.
The next group of Hellebores are all new to the garden 2014.
Gearing up with it's first couple of flowers is a new addition to the garden this spring, a momento of my trip to Dunblane - Helleborus x sternii Silver Dollar, don't you just love those serrated leaves? It might be tiny but it won't stay like that forever!
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| Helleborus x sternii Silver Dollar |
I've finally chosen a spot to plant Helleborus x ericsmithii Pirouette. I bought this charming Hellebore weeks ago - it's found a home in the new woodland bed. I hope it likes it there!
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| Helleborus x ericsmithii Pirouette |
I commented to Helene over at
Graphicality UK only last week that I did not have any white Hellebores in my garden and asked her to put my name on any seedlings she has with white flowers. I could not believe my luck when I visited a garden centre on my day out last weekend. I found this beauty marked down by 50%!
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| Helleborus White Beauty |
A little spring colour under the variegated pagoda dogwood - we've got Corydalis and Crocus. Dwarf white narcissus and blue muscari will take over in a few weeks.
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| Corydalis malkensis and Corydalis Solida Beth Evans |
The yellow of Narcissus Tete a Tete picked up in the eye of Primula vulgaris Drumcliffe - an Irish bred Primula blooming for St. Patrick's weekend!
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Narcissus Tete a Tete
Primula vulgaris Drumcliffe |
Just out of shot - Crocus x cultorum Jeanne D'arc, or what's left of them that is! The cats seem to have taken a dislike to these and keep trampling them to the ground!
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| Crocus x cultorum Jeanne D'arc |
More Tete a Tete in the little spring bed outside the kitchen door - partnered in this bed with a very pretty unnamed Primula and more of the same edging the side path.
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| Narcissus Tete a Tete |
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| Primula Don Keefe and Primula Mrs Marjory Banks |
Even in the miniature garden things are coming along nicely. I got the first glimpse of Saxifraga burseriana Gloria full of buds last week, what a difference a few days make. Joined now by Crocus chrysanthus Blue Pearl and over the next few days Saxifraga x boydilacina Pink Star (top right) will be in full bloom.
Last and most certainly not least, Camellia x williamsii Jury's Yellow producing the first flowers of the year. At least 4 weeks ahead of a normal year. This plant has been a really battler in my garden. I suffered greatly when builders spilt cement over it 7 years ago. I've nurtured it back to health and this year it has produced the most amount of buds it ever has since that event!
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| Camellia x williamsii Jury's Yellow |
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| Camellia x williamsii Jury's Yellow |
Wishing you all a wonderful Bloom Day - I've grabbed a comfortable chair, cold drink and a bag of Jelly Babies and I'm popping over to
May Dream Gardens to see what the rest of you have going on in your gardens. You are more than welcome to join many garden bloggers who join in on the 15th of every month and share with the world what's blooming in their garden.
