THE FIRST FLOWERS OF SPRING

A complete change of scale for this weeks Garden Diary (aka Six on Saturday hosted by The Propagator).  Last week was all about the big picture when we went on a Walk around the garden.  In order to see the plants I've chosen this week, we will mostly have to get down on our hands and knees.  

1. Pulmonaria

I wasn't expecting this to be in flower so early, but here it is.  I don't know the variety as it was already in the garden, growing in the shade of a yew and beech trees by the side of the drive.  

It does have one very important property which may be relevant to some country gardeners.  It must be rabbit proof.  Despite being near the entrance to a burrow this had survived.  

The rabbits thankfully have moved elsewhere so I don't have to worry about any new plants being eaten or dug up anymore.




2. Sarcococca hookeriana digyna


This plant featured in a couple of Six on Saturday posts last week.  Some discussion was had about possible locations for this plant.  If you want my two penny's worth then may I recommend putting it in a pot by the back door* where you can enjoy the fragrance every time you go in or out.  It can be retired to a less prominent position once it has finished flowering.

* You may prefer to put yours by the front door, but I live in the countryside and we only use the front door on ceremonial occasions.



3. Eranthis Hyemalis

In our garden the winter aconites are usually the first flowers to appear in the New Year.  They are still not quite out and I really should have waited until they were,  but I couldn't.  There are only a few sprinkled through the Arboretum, and perhaps that's sufficient.  I don't think I need a carpet of them.  A little yellow can go a long way.



4. Mahonia

Like the Sarcococca this has a glorious smell.  It's planted next to a path so you receive a heady whiff each time you pass.  Maybe one would look good near the aconites.   


5. Blue Sky

It's been mainly mild, overcast and wet here, so it was great to see this lovely blue sky on Friday and it set off perfectly the pale pink of the Winter Flowering Cherry.
We've seldom had temperatures below freezing so I've been able to carry on planting and moving plants around.  I'm making the most of it as I'm sure we will get the proper Winter cold at some point.


6. Hellebores


The variety of their colours and markings make Hellebores fascinating, although you have to turn up their flower heads to see them properly.  I don't have any of the really nice ones as they are quite expensive and in a garden this size I've gone for quantity rather than quality.  Having said that, these ones I planted a couple of years ago seem to be doing so well that I think I might treat myself to some fancy ones too.



That's all from my garden this week.  If you'd like to hear from other gardeners about what's happening in their gardens , then visit The Propagator, who kindly hosts Six on Saturday.  

Comments

  1. Not many of us have so much colour in the garden - lovely to see at this time of year. My neighbour must have half a dozen different colours of pulmonaria, they look beautiful in the spring. J don't think she has one that's as unusual a pink shade as yours though.

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    1. Anything that flowers this time of year is so welcome. I feel like I ought to plant something with the pulmonaria but I haven't found anything to go with it yet.

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  2. O dear. I planted winter aconite in the autumn & none of it's showing as yet. Does this mean the wildlife got it? I've so missed it. I didn't know mahonia had a good scent, as it's not one I like so I steer clear of it when I've lived w/it. Now that I've finally noticed the one across from my front door, I'll wander over tomorrow & give it a good whiff on your recommendation. Your hellebores look as if they're going to really go to town!

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    1. Fingers crossed that your winter aconite is just being slow to get going.

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  3. Those aconites are delightful. You must be a very sheltered area. I shall look out for them in the area. Maybe I ought to get some for the garden here.

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    1. I hope you manage to track some down. Mine were already here but I think they sell them 'in the green' like they do with snowdrops.

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  4. Seeing these flowers so early is a real chance at this time of the year! It's true that we have a mild weather but for my part I don't have as many flowers as you...

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    1. Any flowers are welcome at this time of year aren't they? I don't think they are usually this early. I'll be able to tell next year now Six on Saturday has meant that I'm keeping a proper record.

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  5. Lots of colour there. My Christmas Box has just started flowering. Such small flowers but a mighty scent.

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    1. Yes it is a beautiful scent. They had their whole stock of them arranged around the entrance door of a local garden centre last year and it smelt wonderful.

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