January came with heavy snow and gale force gusts that brought down snow-laden trees. Then there were days of frost and biting winds, then heavy rains that flooded fields and roads. There were also many low cloud days, the hills around the Castle shrouded in murk the colour of mud; not much sight of the sun. But through it all the snowdrops have been emerging in ever bigger clumps. They are everywhere around the town, in pots and borders, on patches of abandoned garden, under walls and hedges. And they’re still going strong.
Our own snowdrops are too newly planted to make a clump or a photo worth taking, though we’re still pleased to see them. So these are the neighbours’ snowdrops.
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The garden has been looking pretty dreary, but there are signs of spring – when I put on my specs and do some low-level peering. The Tete a Tete daffodils for one are looking promising:
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We’re also approaching the main season for hellebores. The December flowering Christmas Carols have kept going through snow and frost, but the rain has muddied and bruised their faces.
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This purplish-pink one, just opening outside the kitchen window, is faring better:
And still in purplish mode the Ajuga reptans looks to have put on a growth spurt along the back garden path. I think it may be Atropurpurea. It’s certainly looking very purple here in the afternoon light:
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And since we’re in the back garden, it’s worth looking in on the winter greens. At one stage they were buried in six inches of snow, but now I see the Swiss Chard and perennial beet have begun to regrow, and the purple sprouting and cauliflowers planted out in the cleared runner bean bed in September are bulking up. The land cress, meanwhile, has been sprouting edible, peppery salad stems all winter.
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And finally there are the slivers of tiny mauve crocuses that have popped up all over the front garden. On dull days they are almost invisible, their petals in tightly wrapped small spikes that remind me more of fungi than flowers.
But earlier this week we actually had a blue-sky-full-on-sun day, and the tiny souls opened wide, though barely an inch across at full petal: their own small force of nature.
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Six on Saturday Our host Jim, as ever, has plenty to show us in his garden; always something new to see or learn about there.
thank you for these beautiful signs of spring, just what I needed to see
Thanks, Beth. So pleased this hit the spot.
Oh thank you! Here we are
Lovely to see these signs of spring and that crocus is fabulous!
Yes, lots of buds on the shrubs and fruit trees too. Can’t be too enthiastic about the temps. though.
Great to see snowdrops in abundance, some interesting tar low-level peering and the crocus is great!
Just been for a walk around the town, and discovered masses more snowdrops. They are very pleasing.
Excellent!
so heartening Tish – that crocus is just what the early bees need whilst I have rhubarb chard and perennial spinach to pick once the rains cease
That’s such a lovely thought, Laura – the crocus cafe for early bees. Thank you.
A glorious beginning and ending, Tish- the snowdrops and crocus are just bursting with life. And you must be bouncing like Tigger with all that healthy stuff you eat. Wishing you lots more sunshine xx
Many thanks, Jo. Can definitely do with more sunshine wishes. I’ve not quite worked up to Tigger mode. Any day now though 🙂
I knew it! xx
I think it’s amazing how Nature shows control over our environment and offers us hope. Beautiful images Tish!
It does offer hope doesn’t it. We only need to pay attention – look and/or listen. Thanks, Anne.
😍💕
thanks for this cheerful nature Beauty
Thanks, Yvette.
😊
Those snowdrops look just like Christmas light bulbs! I thought they were! Our hellebores are just starting here, love them. We have Dawn vibernum that have been blooming since December and Daphne odora too. Had a false spring yesterday with lots of new pre-spring bird and bug sounds. No false spring for you by the sounds of it.
I love the winter flowering shrubs – that Daphne scent on cold dank day! I don’t think we’re out of the winter woods yet, though. Sleet forecast next week.
Signs of spring, Tish. Those snowdrops look so delicate against the snow.
They do, don’t they. Just goes to show 🙂
Quite a bit of snow, Memsahib… 😉
One forgets ab out that, living in a permanent spring/summer country…
All well with you I hope?
Many thanks, Brieuc. All is well, if rather chilly, and much rained on (plus some light snowfall). Best wishes to you in your land of ever-warmth.
Rain is always good for the garden…😉
Thank you. I’ve always thought that whoever could can heat and sun in the South and sell it to the North would become the richest. (Forget about oil Cheikhs.)
Take care, Tish.
I am always delighted to peek into your garden, even back when you used to have an allotment. Your garden now hosts so many delights, and it is still so early in the season. I am almost imagine your delight to see the crocuses dotting your garden with their lovely faces!
Thank you, Ju-Lyn. You are such a faithful visitor to my gardens – past and present. And yes those little crocus. They’ve gone back to biding their time during a spell of very wet weather. But any day now – if we get some sun… 🙂
Wishing much sunshine comes your way!
Ju-Lyn, your wish worked! We have sun – all of a sudden, though only for today 🙂
Love
Snowdrops in the snow! Such brave little flowers ❤
They are brave, aren’t they 🙂