One of these weeks I shall be able to begin by saying what a glorious week it has been. Not this week, although to be fair we have had much more sunshine and much less rain than previously, however yet again the weekend is marred by another, yet to be named, storm. So far it is only the wind that has arrived, the sky above is cloudy with a bit of pale blue. Of course the storm that is affecting everyone is the news about the horrid coronavirus (COVID-19) which is on every news report you watch. I try not to let it concern me too much, but it does seem to be a nasty virus.
Although it has been another windy week I have managed at last to spend some time out in the garden, mainly tidying up some shrubs and removing old dead vines that were killed in the Beast from the East, two years ago! I also discovered that was where a lot of snails were overwintering! Old blackened fern leaves have also been removed and yet more bittercress dug out of the raised beds. An hour and a half in the wind was enough and I decided to move into the conservatory to pot on the tiny hellebore seedlings that have survived the winter outdoors. With the sun shining and out of the wind it was actually a very pleasant place to be.
So let’s get on to six in the garden on a Saturday:
First off is Hyacinth ‘Woodstock’ which I showed last week and strictly speaking is not in the garden but hiding away in the conservatory and which has an exquisite smell. It deserves another viewing now that all the bulbs are in flower.
My white Camellia is beginning to flower. Unfortunately the white flowers do suffer from wind and hail with the edges of the blooms turning brown. I really should keep this inside the conservatory, but the pot is too heavy now for me to keep moving it.
Under the twisted hazel I noticed that the Brunnera macrophylla is beginning to flower. The pretty heart-shaped leaves have wonderful markings and the tiny sprays of blue flowers are opening.
At the tail end of winter, fuzzy nubs start to appear along the branches of pussy willows. These soft silver tufts—as well as the plant itself—are named for their resemblance to tiny cats’ paws. They’re actually flowers just before they fully bloom. The soft hairs protecting them from the cold. Only male plants produce the fuzzy flowers. These are on my Salix Caprea Pendula (Kilmarnock Willow tree)
In my Belfast sink things are starting to put on some growth, especially the moss! But I noticed that the Pulsatilla or Pasque flower is producing new shoots. I have a red and a purple one so I hope they both flower nicely this year, hopefully in time for Easter. I need to buy some more succulents to put in this sink as a couple of plants have died.
My final offering this week is this Hebe (Shrubby Veronica) shrub which is native to New Zealand and does very well down here in the south-west. I have several different varieties and this one is from a cutting and has put on a lot of growth very quickly. If I come across one of the ones with deep purple foliage then I shall have to buy it. They come in various sizes and the colour of the flowers range from purest white, through pale pink to deep pink, pale blues and deep blues to violet-purples. And nothing seems to damage it!
I have yet to get to visit a Cornish garden, but I am hopeful that there will be an opportunity this week. If only for lunch! As always, if you want a peek over other people’s garden walls then please pop over to our host, the lovely Jon, AKA ‘The Propagator’ where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world.
See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
I also love the rich colour of he hyacinth Jude. And also the patterns and dainty blue flower of the Brunerra. I plan to buy some Hebe to plant in my new native garden now the rain has come, but can’t decide what colours to get
Mmmm…I can almost smell that gorgeous hyacinth! The white Camellia is beautiful. I have a white, but it has failed to flower for years. I considered moving it to a sunnier spot, but it’s over 6′ high and wider than it is tall. However, I noticed yesterday that it’s covered in buds! If it flowers and is half as lovely as yours I’ll be happy.
The Brunnera flowers are a bonus – but those leaves are the real star of the show!
Jude, I especially love the hyacinths. Such deep purple beauties!
I just read Jane’s Six on Saturday and she was rejoicing in the rain and then I open yours, where there has been far too much rain. Your garden does look beautiful Jude, so the rain must be worthwhile. I suspect those overwintering snails are no longer in existence.
Glad to hear you have had some sun this week if it is still a little bit windy. Your Camelia is lovely. I have noticed that my Pasqueflowers are producing a lot of buds and will be flowering soon. Also my Brunnera is starting to poke through but is way behind yours.
Your hyacinth is just lovely! Great pictures, despite adverse weather conditions
Love the photo of Hyacinth Woodstock. Purple, blue and lime green make a fabulous combination.
Things are really coming on. That Hyacinth is a beautiful colour
Stunning and so welcome to view, especially mid the world’s problems–thanks.
Beautiful . . . really must get into my garden as i am here this spring, but have lost control of this month and so struggling to stay on top of indoor stuff let alone get outdoors
Well it’s not been the weather for gardening!
Yesterday afternoon was, and looks like this afternoon might be the same!
You are definitely having better weather than me! It’s very windy here and showers all day today, some hail!
Had hail, but otherwise sunshine . . . hope it isn’t travelling east from you!
Well I wish it would travel in one direction away from here!
we must have turned the corner by now, surely it can only get better from now on.
One would hope so. Looks like being a staycation year again though with this dreadful Covid 19 virus.
The upside I guess less pollution as we all cut back on doing things. I must admit I am beginning to wonder if the 4 horsemen have been set loose!
You have to wonder! And being in that ‘older’ category is a worry, though I pretty much self isolate on a permanent basis 😅
I’m married to someone in the same category so know what it like to self isolate!!
😂