I so want to begin one of these posts without mentioning the weather, but not this week. I think the rest of the country may not have been too bad and indeed it has been sunny at times here in the south-west, but the wind has not stopped for a minute and rather a cold one too at times. Hail and rain have been frequent visitors too. So all in all another difficult week for getting outside and taking photographs!
But life continues and more flowers have appeared:
(1) In one of my raised beds I planted a lot of spring bulbs in the autumn, a mix of low growing bulbs like Muscari, Crocus, Iris reticulata and Chionodoxa as well as some narcissi and tulips and alliums. We saw the irises appear in January, now it is the turn of the Muscari – there should be white and blue ones, but so far I have only noticed the blue ones.
(2) Chionodoxa Luciliae are flowering now, white ones in the raised bed and blue ones in the woodland border, though I have noticed one or two there look like a pale pink and lilac. They are also known as ‘glory-of-the-snow’. They are supposed to be grown in a sunny spot, but these in the woodland border are in light shade under the Goat Willow trees. They have come back for several years now so must be happy enough.
(3) Back in the raised bed is a lovely Euphorbia martinii or Martin’s spurge, which is a hybrid between two species of flowering plant, E. amygdaloides × E. characias . I really like the red eyes in this plant and hope it will bulk up as it is only a little one. I bought a larger Euphorbia amygdaloides Purpurea which has lovely deep purple foliage and acid-yellow flowers last year and had it in a pot, but unfortunately it died. Maybe they are not suited to pots.
(4) Next we have the wonderful Wood Forget-me-nots / Myosotis sylvatica a biennial plant which self-seed all over this garden. They really are a charming flower to see in spring and as you can see come not only in the lovely classic blue they are famous for, but the flowers can be purple and pink!
(5) In fifth place is my pretty white Ipheion uniflorum which is related to the onion family. It is known by the common name springstar, or spring starflower. I have had this for a few years too and in the same pot, but I must remove the bulbs this year and find a bigger pot for them in the autumn. I keep saying I want some pink and blue ones so hopefully this year I’ll order them before they sell out! A lovely bulb with sweet-scented star-shaped flowers which last for ages.
(6) And finally a plant that has been inside all winter – a very young Agave – Agave Americana Variegata. It is slow-growing and some of the lower leaves have rotted off, despite not being watered since September. I suspect it is going to be a long time before it is big enough to flower!
I hope everyone is keeping safe in these uncertain times. At least our gardens are an escape from all the bad news. 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 
That euphorbia is just gorgeous. One for the list for sure. I have a green one which is a fabulous chartreuse hit but there’s something about the red centre of yours that lifts it to perfection.
I saw the martinii in a nearby garden which is why I wanted one, no idea if it will do well in mine, but only time will tell. At least it has survived the winter months!
I love Muscari but mine are only starting to bloom, so I can admire yours, and likewise the Chionadoxa and the Forget-me-nots.
The Euphorbia is sensational! Ipheion uniflorum is new to me – and very pretty.
I have an Agave in the greenhouse, with a baby attached that I’ll have to take off and pot up fairly soon. I hope temperatures rise over the next few weeks so that we can get them outdoors.
Beautiful colour and photographs for this week’s six.
Yes, the wind goes on here too but it is lovely to see all the spring flowers appearing. I love all your blues.
Jude, your gardens are always a wonder to me – my black thumb and all. It must give you so much joy to see the results of your labors. And in these troubled times what a wonderful place to avoid the issues that surround us. Keep us the beautiful posts, I love them!
I love Euphorbia and used to have a beauty in a former garden. I must look for another one. I do have plenty of star flowers, in the border of my rose garden and they pop up faithfully every spring.
My chionodoxa seems to have spread best in shade too. It’s spread nicely under the cherry tree. Not out yet in my garden though.
The muscari are out now and bringing in the bees.
I have seen bees. No 🦋 yet.
The Agave Americana Variegata.grows to an enormous specimen and slow-growing (in the right environment) it is not. IT also sends out runners below the surface and produces massess of babies. I wish I could go and take a few photos of the ones growing in my friends garden … they are huge. BUT, we are in lockdown now and not allowed to leave our home without good reason.
There are some huge ones in the gardens here in Cornwall, mine won’t get that big as it will be kept in a pot. They are lovely plants.
Your flower photos are a lovely and welcome distraction form all the horrible news at present. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your visit and comments 😁
You’re very welcome – good to be able to connect in the blogosphere especially at such a difficult time for the world.