There is more seasonal confusion to report this month. I continue to be astonished by this Dyer’s Chamomile, aka Golden Marguerite (Cota tinctoria). It’s growing in the guerrilla garden behind the back fence, and has been flowering for months. I’ve heard the plant described as ‘a hardy but weak perennial’ because it fizzles out after its second year. Well that’s as may be. This particular exemplar hasn’t reached its first birthday yet, but so far at least is looking remarkably resilient after Tuesday night’s snowfall. Nor is it alone. A tender trailing geranium that I had abandoned in its garden pot at summer’s end has recently started to flower again. It didn’t seem to mind the snow either.
Admittedly it wasn’t much of a fall. By Wednesday morning it was already melting, and a quick wander round the garden now reveals many signs of spring. There are breaking leaf buds on the roses, flowering currant and honeysuckle; the columbines and centaurea are making vigorous new growth; bulbs are sprouting; hellebores flowering; along the lanes the snowdrops are out in force, and the winter wheat is greening all the fields around the town. Even the birds are singing spring songs. Will it all go horribly wrong one wonders? Better enjoy it while we may then, this summer-spring-winter.
The Changing Seasons ~ January 2019 Please visit Su to join in this monthly challenge.
Tish Farrell 
Very confusing……
Confusing it is… disturbing, but yet someway – I so long for spring.
Who knows what tomorrow may bring.
It all looks very beautiful. We have the gale-force winds back, but no snow I am glad to report!
Getting pretty gusty here today. And gloomy.
We indeed are getting some very confusing weather here too. The bugs haven’t died and I just shelled out a staggering amount of money for tick protection. In JANUARY.
Goodness. Ticks in January. A v. necessary precaustion though.
At least, so far, not as cold as your last winter.
You are absolutely right, Pauline. We also had an incredibily cold March. So who knows what next.
Your photos are lovely Tish. Strange but beautiful sights.
Our January has been fairly normal so far — and now I’m worried that it will all go horribly wrong very soon.
We just need to believe it won’t 🙂
Lovely photos Tish. Here in Zambia it’s over 30C at midday, with people talking about the rainy season being “how it used to be”. The river is full and so fast flowing that the hippos and crocs have moved to the lagoons to avoid being washed downstream. The soil is so fecund that I have hay-fever from the pollen. I’ll send you a link to my Google photos if you’re interested.
Just been looking at the fantastic photos. Many thanks for sending them over. Love the ele selfie. And that leopard. And well, just everything. Am also glad to hear someone is having their ideal weather. I can smell the soil.
Lovely photographs! We too are getting very early leaf buds on the bushes, and winter pansies flourishing like it’s spring. It’s not so much that it’s warm as it’s very dry. One of the driest Vancouver winters I can remember. Who knows what the real spring will bring. I’m amazed by the flowers you’ve found blooming in January!
Alison
Hello Alison. Things are all skew-whiff these days, and not only the weather 🙂
I marvel at the thought of spring flowers starting to poke their heads out at this time of year. I can’t help but feel sorry for them, dressed in their pretty summer colours and then suffering another bout of winter chill. I hope their premature appearance won’t be fatal.
I am keeping watch! 🙂
Reblogged this on Green, Health & Happiness.
Cheers, Pete. Many thanks.
Beautiful photos, and wow you had snow! How lovely!
It only came for half a day 🙂
That first photo is particularly perfect.no seasonal doubt here! It’s summer
Hello Meg. I gathered it was hot from a comment you made to Jo.
Gorgeous images, Tish! I love that opening shot- looks like a slush, or whatever they call those ice things. 🙂 🙂
Ha! Ice things indeed.
What clever little flowers! 😀
And so determined 🙂
Memories of my last Christmas in Chester,
In fact, we received my parents annual xmas card this morning, depicting a snowy Eastgate Street Clock.
(It was posted on the 9th December!)
Good old SA postal (non) service
Mid thirties over here for the past week or two, and the seasonal afternoon thunderstorms – you know all about them, of course!
Love the Golden Marguerite shot – a beautiful composition..
Please can you email me an attachment with a bit of your heat it. Swirly, sleety, shivery here.
I’m watching soccer on the TV and I see it is snowing in South London at Fulham’s ground.
Got a near white-out hoar frost this a.m. Brrrr.
Some brave harbingers of spring, Tish. Very well photographed. 😍
Thank you, Sylvia. Tho I think they might have been a touch curbed by yesterday’s frost. We shall see.
Lovely photos. 🙂 I think nature is slightly confused these days.
It is. And so am I 🙂