SNOWDROPS AND CROCUS

 We've had sunshine and blue skies the last few days, which has put a spring in my step and everywhere in the garden the bulbs are putting on a gladdening show.

1. Snowdrops

The snowdrops are still looking fabulous down in the woodland, although there are clumps of them appearing all over the garden in the lawns and borders and I can't bear to turf them out.




2. Fickle Hellebores

The hellebores, at least those which are happy with their homes, are flowering well.  Unlike most of its sisters, this one has raised its head to be photographed.  Last week I had a little moan about how fickle the hellebores have been.  Today I found one, obviously self seeded, flowering happily in the crack of a paving slab behind the oil tank.  Somewhere that you would never ask one to grow.  Isn't that the very definition of contrariness?




3 Tulip 'The First'


Tulip 'The First' is a much more reliable thing.  It comes back year on year and unlike some other early tulips, the squirrels don't eat the bulbs.  They do get pecked by birds and nibbled by slugs though, so these photos have been taken from a respectful distance.  






4. Crocus Tomassinianus 

Continuing with the reliable/bit of a let down theme, here is a crocus tommasinianus.  These were planted in the orchard in September 2019.  I was looking forward to a splendid show last spring, yet there was not a single one to be seen.  I cursed the bulb supplier, the mice, the voles, the weather  - just about everything really and drew a line under the whole sorry episode. 

So imagine my delight to see they were only having a little rest, because now they are appearing all over.



5. Narcissus Pseudonarcissus


The appearance of the first little daffodil in the orchard must be recorded.  But I'll write no more for the moment.  There will be more to come next week.



6. Crocus Prins Claus


I'm going to finish with another Spring bulb which has proved its worth.  This is crocus Prins Claus, with a purple flush on the outside of its petals.  These were planted as single bulbs two years ago, and they seem to be very happy on a sunny slope.






That's all from my garden for this week.  If you click on The Propagator you'll find plenty more Six on Saturday's from gardeners from around the world.













Comments

  1. Prince Klaus is such a nice looking Crocus, I sort of expected it to be a bit fragile. I'm glad I'm wrong - it's looking fantastic!

    I think I commented on how good the snowdrops look on mass last week, but I'll say it again. They look really spectacular!

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    1. I'm never sure whether to choose the species crocus or the larger flowered ones, but I'm pleased with that one. Not too big, not too small.

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  2. Wow, I have never seen tulips flowering together with snowdrops, that's impressive. I like the combo you've got there with the hellebores as well. The crocus Prins Claus looks great, I have not seen that before either.

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  3. Very few plants will surpass the beauty of Narcissus pseudonarcissus or of Galanthus nivalis in a drift.

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    1. I think the longer I've gardened for, the more I appreciate the William Robinson 'Wild Garden' type of gardening. The drifts of daffodils and everything looking natural although it isn't. Having said that I also love topiary and formal gardens so I'm not a complete convert.

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  4. I've not seen Prins Claus before. Beautiful, as are the swathes of snowdrops. That Hellebore is rather lovely too. I'm going to have to look up those early and reliable tulips later.

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    1. You might be pleased to know that those crocus were from Wilko.

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  5. Yes! Prins Claus in now on my list, and also a few of the Tulip The first. I just love to welcome in Spring.

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    1. Those few early flowers are really welcome after Winter.

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  6. I don't know if the hellebores have been fickle this year but I would say they have been late however they are blooming very well at the moment. More than past years...
    I too have photographed my first tulip this afternoon and I will post the photo tomorrow on Twitter , probably next week in my Six

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  7. Crocus Prins Claus is a new one on me too. Added to the list. You can never have too many crocuses, even though they do suffer from the wind and the rain. Your snowdrop drifts are wonderful.

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    1. I’m really beginning to appreciate the crocus as a bulb for growing in large quantities not just a few in a pot.

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  8. Your Tulip The First looks like my Tulipa clusiana which also appears in very early spring. Yours look beautiful nestling there amongst the snowdrops. Lovely photo.

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    1. I’m almost certain it is variety of clusiana Jane.

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  9. I'm glad about your tomassinianus - before long they'll be everywhere I'm sure. I have a pot of Prince Claus and a few more dotted in the lawn. I thought they were a gonna as last year they were trampled by some builders but they've made a reappearance. It looks like yours are planted in the perfect spot as they are multiplying very well.

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    1. They are in a border well away from errant feet.

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  10. I had the same with C. thomassinianus several years ago and now they are colonising my border. Beautiful photos. I must look for 'The First' when I order bulbs as I find it near impossible to get Tulips to reappear

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