Six on Saturday: Spring is out there

Tags

Anthriscus sylvestris, Barn Owl, cow parsley, February2020, Hedges, Iris reticulata, mixed variety hellebores, Narcissus 'Tete a Tete', Primula vulgaris, six on saturday, storm Dennis, Winter weather

Dorris has had to take a back seat as my free time has been given elsewhere. I began a Six for last Saturday, without finishing, some of which are here now plus one or two others which have appeared despite the incessant winds, rain and snow.

Smattering of snow Thursday

At work I and my colleagues have undertaken the task of removing a dying and in places dead, hedge of Leylandii.

Planted as a wind break the hedges were kept tightly cut. Now removed they have been replaced with Taxus baccata, Yew.

Thankfully the hedge was not wholly all Leylandii. Inter planted between Buxus, here are the Yews in their new places.   Dennis has thrown his best and worse and I am pleased to confirm that they are still standing.

Other sightings to share are the signs of Spring

Tête-à-tête with cow parsley foliage

Iris reticulata

Primroses

Hellebores

It has been disgustingly wet weather, for what now seems like forever.  Despite this I did manage a walk this week across saturated ground where I caught sight of a white bird in flight. Its flight pattern caught my eye and to my surprise I realised that it was a Barn Owl.  For several minutes my friend and I watched in awe as the owl flew, seemingly effortlessly, across the field, hunting. I have only ever seen an owl fleetingly picked out by my car headlights.  Never have I had the privilege of watching an owl in broad daylight.  Alas my phone camera could not capture the sight well.

 

These are my Six on Saturday  

Wishing you all a good weekend wherever you are.  Thanks for reading.  D.

Please now wash your hands. 

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 vase on Monday: in minature

Tags

Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', in a vase on Monday, January, Lonicera fragrantissima, miniature vase, primroses, Primula vulgaris, Viburnum bodnantense New Dawn, winter honeysuckle

It is cold and bright here and these precious blooms are out in my garden today.

A double Hellebore, primrose and Viburnum.

So pretty and so tiny. In my tiniest “vase” which is 5cm x 4cm stamped 80 underneath, it was purchased in a junk shop. Perhaps it was for mustard? Anyway it is white and perfect to hold these minuscule offerings.

Sat on my kitchen window cill I hope the warmth of the house will encourage the viburnum and winter honeysuckle Lonicera fragrantissima to open a little for me to enjoy the sweet honeyed scent.

What do you mean you cannot see the honeysuckle, it’s there, behind the Hellebore.

I have a few snowdrops in the garden but they are so new, so precious, I couldn’t bring myself to pick them. I hope you will now take a look at our host Cathy to see what else is flowering in deepest January.

Have a good week. D.

In a Vase on Monday: collecting

Tags

crocus, crocus prins claus, grown by me, hellebore hybrid, Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', helleborus viri, in a vase on Monday, March, Primula vulgaris, Viburnum bodnantense dawn

Ding dong the snow has gone and Monday started out with so much promise, mild and bright.  Alas the rain came later and my garden which was already resembling swill is now ankle-deep in water in places.  Trying not to dwell on the damage that this will be doing to some plants, I have collected a rare few flowers to show you and readers of Cathys blog today.  Do try to pop over to see her lovely blog, you will be amazed with what you see in some other vases.

Less ‘in a vase’, rather more ‘set out to dry’.

Helleborus viridis

Helleborus orientalis

Crocus, Prins Claus

Primula vulgaris

Viburnum bodnantense Dawn

The forecast for the next few days, in my neck of the woods at least, is for rain and highs of 8 or 9 degrees, positively balmy after the last few days.  Hoping you have a good week. D.

It’s in a vase

Tags

Grape hyacinth, In a vase, Muscari, Narcissus 'Tete a Tete', Primula denticulata, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, pulmonaria officianalis, turquoise milk glass

Too late to be in a vase on Monday.  I have received some lovely comments from friends about the vase efforts.  Thank you for your encouragement, Liz, Jo and Nicola and here is today’s vase:  

Today’s vase is a simple collection of Spring taken from the garden and plonked in the turquoise milk glass jug I acquired from a charity shop for £2. The jug is such a rich colour for glass and it seems to be a good contrast to the yellows, blues and pinks in the garden today.   A dark pink Hyacinth, a couple of tiny, but perfect in their miniature form, of daff. these are the dwarf, rich yellow daffodil, Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’, as well as a few of the dark blue/purple Grape hyacinth, Muscari.

Pale and quite perfect in their delicate tones of pinks and yellow are the Primoses: Primula vulgaris, Primula veris and  Primula denticulata.  I love to see these in the garden as they bring to mind memories of making Easter cards at school in Shannon.

There are also a couple of sprigs from Pulmonaria which have a lovely mix of blue and pink flowers on each stem.  I think I am right in saying that this is Pulmonaria officianlis which has grown from a piece Jill passed over the hedge to me.

The scent of the Hyacinth is filling the kitchen as I write this, and I fear it will have to go outside, before those who suffer with allergies, begin to sneeze. I will enjoy it while I can. If you enjoy the in a vase post take a look at some of the other bloggers posts including Cathy at Ramblinginthegarden and Chloris at thebloominggarden.  Do take a look and be inspired.