Six on Saturday: 2/3/19

Tags

Anemanthele lessoniana, chaenomeles x superba Jet Trail, clematis armandii, Dwarf narcissi Tete-a-Tete, green hellebore, Hellebores, Japanese quince, Magnolia soulangeana, March, nest making, Pheasant's tail grass, six on saturday, Stipa arundinacea

It seems that February is finished for 2019 and what a February.  Record breaking temperatures here in England gave us all something to smile about, something to distract us from the politicial shenanigans. The weather gave me and you I trust, the opportunity to cut back all the perennials, prune the roses and lightly weed over the borders, frankly incredible, compared to this time last year, when we were under the white stuff thanks to the beast.  This Saturday I have another six to share with you and the Propagator.

1. This is Clematis armandii.  An evergreen climber which flowers in early spring.  Scented, with petals which appear rather waxy.  It is a favourite clematis of mine and is smothered in buds which is very pleasing.
2. Japanese quince Chaenomeles X superba Jet trail.  This is a dwarf shrub growing to no more than 1 meter tall.  It is located against the same stretch of fence as the Clematis above and I chose it for its white flowers.
3. Hellebore.  This one is a double which comes through as a slightly green/white tinged pink.  Very pretty it seems to like the raised bed next to the tiny Tete a tete daffodils.  Raised beds work well for Hellebores as we can see their faces without having to lie on the ground. Thats my top tip for today.
4. The birds certainly seem to think that spring is here and I spotted this nest up amongst the fat buds of my friends splendid Magnolia tree.

5. This is my green Hellebore. It came from a divided piece from my last garden. I am unsure if it’s name but I enjoy its contrast to the pink and white Hellebores. A fresh green, don’t you think.

6. This is a small Pheasant tail grass, Anemanthele lessonia, previously known as Stipa arundinacea. It is relatively short lived but self seeds freely around. If you fail to strip the seed heads it can be a nuisance in paths. Anyway I like its colouring and its nomadic spirit.

So that’s my six for today. Enjoy your weekend wherever you are. D.

52 week Photo Challenge: Spring

Tags

52 Week Photo Challenge, Dwarf narcissi Tete-a-Tete, farm machinery parts, Primula Gold Lace, Spring

 

Spring? Or spring? I wondered.  Just in case …..

 

A spring of sorts, not exactly sure what sort, but a spring I dug up at my old garden.  I guess it is off an old farm machine of some form.  I rather like its coiled shape and dark rusty colour.

I placed it amongst the flowers in the raised bed containing Spring flowers of Lace cap primroses and dwarf daffodils.  Covering all the options, job done.

Lace cap primroses picking up the dark rusty tones of the spring.

Today has been a beautiful sunny day.  Alas the forecast is for rain over the next few days.  I hope any precipitation will not dampen your spirits and you will have a lovely Easter.

Other “spring” ideas are available to view at https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com do take a look.

 

 

In a vase on Monday: a bit of fluff

Tags

apothecary bottle, camellia, clematis vitalba, Dwarf narcissi Tete-a-Tete, Grape hyacinth, in a vase on Monday, Muscari, Muscari armeniacum, old man's beard, pink primrose, Polyanthus Stella Champagne

I have raided the hedgerow today for a bit of so-called Old Man’s Beard,

 Clematis vitalba.  The wild clematis seed heads are in most hedges when you look for them.  It may have attractive seed heads but it is a devil to get rid of should it be over your side of the garden hedge.  It has a deep, strong root and grows like a triffid, strangling everything in its path (everything of the plant variety that is).

Old man’s beard

Anyway enough of that, the seed head is pretty and it has helped to fill out today’s vase.

Firstly I took one of the early camellia blooms, white with a rose pink tone (New Dawn? ).  To this I have added the fading flowers of Muscari, Grape Hyacinth.  Forced to grow indoors, no cruelty involved, the blooms have just begun to go over and are now waiting to be planted in the garden. Thanks Liz.

Muscari, Clematis Vitalba

There are a few tiny pale pink primroses and some Violas.  The Violas inject a stronger shade of colour, thanks to their dark purple petals and yellow and white face, thereby picking up the yellow of the yet to open Dwarf

Narcissi.

Camellia, Polyanthus ‘Stella Champagne’, Grape hyacinth and dwarf narcsissi

As these are such tiny flowers with even smaller stems I struggled to find a suitable vessel.  In the end I chose to use a piece of oasis wedged into the opening of an old apothecary bottle.  The original contents were labelled as Hydrarg. oxid. Rub.

It sounds as if the contents were originally some mix of mercury, quicksilver and oxygen? Does anyone happen to know what this could have been or what it would have been used for, I would be interested to know.  Anyway it is a nice enough bottle made prettier thanks to the addition of some early Spring flowers.

Take a look at Cathys blog page https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/category/gardens/in-a-vase-on-monday/ to see what other blooms have been used for today’s meme.

As I write this, the wind is whipping its self into a proper frenzy, storm Henry is doing its thing.

Hold onto your hats folks.