Silent Sunday: other news

Tags

Brunnera macrophylla Dawson’s White, Hellebores, Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', March, other news, Silent Sunday, stay safe out there

Hellebores

Hellebores

Brunnera

Hellebores

And Hellebores

Six on Saturday: promises

Tags

camellia, clematis armandii, February, fiscus Brown Turkey, Hellebores, perennial poppies, Primula, promising signs, six on saturday

In a Vase on Monday: delicate beauties

Tags

clematis armandii, dwarf Prunus Nipponica Ruby, Hellebores, in a vase on Monday, March, Spring flowers, Viburnum bodnantense dawn, violas

Thank goodness the wind has finally dropped and we can hear ourselves think once more. Outside these poor things have been battered by the wind.

This is the classy Clematis armandii, one stem, three lovely fresh flowers, seemingly unharmed. Behind it is a tiny twig of blossom in the softest pink Dwarf Prunus Nipponica ‘Ruby’.

Next I have taken a few heads from my Hellebores. These have remained largely in tact but one or two longer stems have nose dived and hit the dirt.

The wide awake amongst you may notice that viburnum bodnantense Dawn flowers and a viola are in this picture. Too pretty to not include in this little mix. I shall float these on water to enjoy them on my desk for a few days.

The forecast is improving and calmer which is great news. In this political climate, I guess I am not the only one grateful for any good news, no matter how small. For more cheer take a look at Cathy’s blog to see some glorious floral sights.

Have a good week wherever you are. D.

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.

Silent Sunday: old galvanised tub

Tags

container planting, Erica, Hellebores, ivy, old galvanised tub, Silent Sunday, skimmia, violas

Six on Saturday: 16/2/19

Tags

Anthriscus sylvestris, barnhaven.com, cow parsley, Hellebores, Iris reticulata, primroses, Primula vulgaris, six on saturday, Viburnum bodnantense dawn

The weather this week has been incredibly mild for February. Garden jobs are so much easier when I can feel my fingers and toes. The sunlight has encouraged buds to emerge or even open and spring bulbs are pushing through thick and fast. My Six on Saturday are those signs from my garden.

1.

Iris reticulata

The blue of these tiny iris are thrilling at this time of the year. I am chuffed to bits that they have come up as I have never managed to get them to flower before.

2.

Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’

This shrub is at its best in winter, Bare twigs covered in bright pink, highly scented flowers. Tough as old boots but pretty.

3.

Signs of life emerging, here in the form of black leaf buds on Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black Lace. An attractive shrub with deeply divided leaves of a rich near black. I have just pruned this back to encourage better ie larger foliage.

4.

Primroses, Primula vulgaris. My favourite. I would choose these every time over the brightly coloured varieties.

5.

Less about the fern more about the emerging foliage of the Cow parsley. Anthriscus sylvestris. Such a fresh green and delicate foliage.

6. Last and by no means least, Hellebores. These are unnamed varieties from Barnhaven primroses. They were purchased online as tiny finger sized plug plants from self pollinated stock. A cheaper way to purchase Hellebores with a sense of lucky dip. Patience is required as it has taken three years for them to flower.

Worth the wait.

Have a great weekend and do share your six via our host Six on Saturday . D.

In a basket

Tags

February, floating flowers, Hellebores, in a vase on Monday

Yesterday I failed to find the time to join Cathy’s Monday blog post so I am doing it today instead.

Hellebores picked ready to float on water in a large shallow bowl. Not mine, my boss, from her garden.

Grown by me and picked by me. Hope that counts Cathy.

Have a great week. D.

In a Vase on Monday: floating

Tags

February, gardens open for charity, Hellebores, helleborus niger, Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', Helleborus viridis, in a vase on Monday, NGS

This morning is of course Monday, that much you know and it is bitterly cold again which you may not know if you are elsewhere in the world ( hello Brother Dorris) but it is thankfully bright. As it is Monday I am going to join Cathy with a bowl rather than a vase full of hellebores.

Hellebores never last very long if cut and brought into the house, yet floating the heads on shallow water seems to suit them better. Certainly we can observe the beauty of each flower much more easily like this rather than having to tip their shy heads towards us.

I should love to be able to tell you which varieties are here but they are not mine. Hold up, not mine ? You see I visited a delightful garden on Saturday, open for the National Garden Scheme. NGS.

Old Church Cottage is in a very pretty and historic spot, brimming with snowdrops and crocus, cyclamen and hellebores. More about that another time. On the table, welcoming visitors, was this bowl of blooms. Can I pinch that? Well I just did.

Have a great day and stay warm. D.

In a Vase on Monday: duckies

Tags

duckies, floating vase, green hellebore, Hellebores, in a vase on Monday, New Zealand, Spring flowers

Mother and Father Dorris have been to New Zealand to visit the much missed brother Dorris and family. A little gift was slipped into the suitcase in the form of these floating glass rings or duckies. 

Delicate glass rings which float holding the head of these green hellebores perfectly. 

Cathy has been host to the Monday vase meme for four years now and is joined by bloggers and their vases from all over the world. My flowers may be from good old Blighty but the vases are from New Zealand. I hope you like them. 

Have a great week

In a Vase on Monday: Springtime

Tags

clematis armandii, dark primulas, Delft vase, Grape hyacinth, Hellebores, in a vase on Monday, narcissi tete a tete, Springtime

I don’t know about you but it is a beautiful mild Spring day here. The sky is blue, there is no wind to speak of and it must be about 15 degrees in the sunshine. The garden is pulling away and the flowers are well, just flowering. 

Tete a Tete narcissi in hand painted Delft Vase

Grape hyacinth, hellebore and Tete a Tete

Cathy is the host of this lovely meme and not only will she have a vase full for you to look at, so will a bunch (ha ha) of other folk. 

There’s also a dark purple primula in there

And pulmonaria and the creamy white flower from Clematis armandii. 

This is rather thrilling for me to see as my garden has only been planted in the last two years. 

Have a great week and I hope the sunshine puts a Spring in your step. D.