Hyacinth

Scilla

Crocus

Crocus

Iris George

Narcissi

“Every gardener knows that under
the cloak of winter lies a miracle… a seed
waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the
light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the
anticipation nurtures our dream.”
~ Barbara Winkler

1. Scilla mischtschenkoana (Misczenko squill). Delicate and pretty, with shimmering silvery-blue flowers this exceptionally early flowering bulb is good for a shallow container on the doorstep, which is where mine are. These began flowering in mid January.
   
2. Crocuses – In the autumn I planted bowls of Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’, ‘Cream Beauty’ and ‘Snowbunting’. Crocuses are often the first flowers in a garden and feel like the true cheerleaders of spring. So far one bowl is showing signs of buds and I think it is the ‘Snowbunting’.
   
3. More crocuses – these are growing under the Kilmarnock Willow tree and unnamed purple and yellow ones. I also planted Crocus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ here in the autumn too so hopefully they will make a show at some point soon.
   
   

   Crocus

   

   Crocus
4. Hyacinths – I have had these bulbs for several years and just bung them into any spare pot. There are pink and blue ones though so far only the pink have begun to flower and I particularly like this one with the green tips.
   
5. Narcissus – In the Woodland border I have several clumps of dwarf Narcissus (Various common names including daffodil, daffadowndilly, narcissus and jonquil ) – some which I inherited and always flower early like these below – followed by some I planted a couple of years ago including delicate white ones. I also have several pots of dwarf Narcissus which are new this year so it will be fun to see what emerges.
   
6. Iris histriodes ‘George’ – I bought these to use as plant toppers for my tulip collections this year.  A miniature iris with a decent scent apparently, though I didn’t bend down to sniff. So far one bloom,but a rather magnificent rich purple colour.  I do have some of last year’s irises (Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’ another early and long-flowering iris with a good scent) in flower in another pot, but my photo didn’t come out very well and it was too darn cold to go out and have another attempt!
   

Signs of life in the garden, but winter is far from over. In fact it arrived with a vengeance this week hitting Cornwall of all places first! I was lucky as the snow began shortly after midday on Thursday, but quickly turned to sleet and didn’t settle. Further east it was a completely different story. To see what is happening in other gardens both home and away then head off to the Prop’s site where you will find lots of links in the comments.

See here for the participant’s guide.

Six on Saturday