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
- 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.
- 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’.
- 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 - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I thought of you when I started seeing snowy photos of Cornwall on Instagram. It must be nice to see these little signs that spring is on the way.
Fortunately it missed me. I was a little worried about my more tender plants hoping I wouldn’t lose them again.
In late spring we see large spreads of scilla all over, a welcome sight.
I can imagine!
We had crocuses in our little patch of front lawn. 🙂 🙂 But I’ve seen full blown irises here already, (see Instagram 🙂 ) and I’m sure the pure whites will be along soon. Joyful, isn’t it? Do you do herbal remedies? Just thinking of OH.
I hope my crocuses spread under the tree. I have a vision in mind. This year I shall plant some Snakes Head Fritillary and Camassia in part of the lawn. Always planning ahead!
Not familiar with Camassia but I love Fritillaries. And that’s what you do when you’re not blogging! 🙂 🙂 You’ll just get it perfect, Jude, and it’ll be time to move on.
You could be right there Jo. I figure on 5 years, but we are coming up to three already! Help!
It’s as though spring has already arrived in your post, Jude. I think planting bulbs in pots would be a good way of keeping track of them, and perhaps is something I should do. I planted lots of crocuses last year, but none of them came up -probably entirely the wrong kind of soil. If they’d been in pots, perhaps they would have had a better chance.
I never know whether to leave them in the pots or take them out after flowering and replant in the autumn. I did leave some in last year so I shall see how they fare.
Another jaw-dropping splash of colour at this time of year! I think you win the prize for the least snow in your Six-on-Saturday! (At least, in the Northern Hemisphere!! Lovely.
Haha… yes. No snow or frost here! And even some short-lived sunshine 🙂 Can’t wait to see these bulbs open en masse.
I’m so jealous of all those beautiful bulbs!! The blue and pink looks gorgeous together too.
I hope it will look even better once they are all in flower.
Yeah! So much colour, lovely. Those little scilla are adorable, I am not even going to attempt spelling the species name let alone say it! Perhaps after a couple of glasses of red. 🙂
They are rather sweet.
Iris George is a stunner! I planted some Scilla outside and am waiting anxiously for them to come up.
The anticipation is half the fun! I just hope the winds don’t do too much damage.
Lovely early bulbs Jude. How do you stop the mice eating your crocus?
The neighbour’s cat maybe?
Love seeing the bulbs popping up!