February has arrived; the month of love, the last hurrah of winter, a time of increasing optimism. In theory anyway. The shortest of month of the year can sometimes seem the longest, plodding through to March which itself can be slow to reveal spring. However, there are definite advances in the garden, subtle often, but all the same heading in the right direction. Why don’t you take a look at what The Prop and all his acolytes are up to, I’m sure they will prove my point.
What better place to begin than my waterproof trousers on the washing line in the pouring rain. I came across them when I was sorting my tools out earlier in the week. They were very muddy and, taking full advantage of the dreadful weather, this was my cunning plan to wash them. My very helpful OH pegged the legs up as they were caught on the pyracantha. Could have sprung a leak. Another disaster averted.
Next is Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’. I think it might be a Six on Saturday law to feature a snowdrop before the winter is out. Any SoSers out there yet to comply had better act quickly or risk the wrath of Mr P himself.
I was very pleased to find this Eschscholzia californica ‘Red Chief’ looking so healthy. And yes, Mr T, I know you aren’t keen on these cultivar infiltrators. Will you let me off with a foliage shot? I’m very happy as it looks strong which bodes well for flowers in the nearish future. I know that there is a long way to go, but a good base is always useful.
Now we have the monster that is Salvia gesneriiflora, just coming into flower. It has almost taken over the Bed of Anarchy and bang on schedule is beginning to bloom. Some culling will almost certainly be necessary.
Onto Iris reticulata, a great favourite of mine. Sorry I don’t know which one it is. Blame the labeller.
Lastly a bowed Calendula ‘Neon’, a survivor from last year, snuggling up to a phormium. Always good to find a rogue having a go out of season. Showing willing. An example to us all.
All done, ’til next time!
Off The Edge Gardening 
The most amazing thing for me was seeing the raindrops on your iris reticulata. What an enthralling sight that is, something I haven’t seen for a while. Fresh, and a charming shade of blue.
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Your photo of Iris is very similar to the one I took and posted a few days ago on Twitter. Great shot ! As for that of the calendula with phormium. What is the phormium variety with these beautiful colours?
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What great taste we have! Did I copy you, I don’t remember seeing it but I may well have done. The phormium was grown from seed by someone I used to work for, so has no name except Barbara. 🙂
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Very nice leaf colours…
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Can anything trump a bejewelled Iris close up photo? I have but one solitary snowdrop in flower at the moment. It’s only just fully opened this afternoon but you rest assured it will feature next week! I’m going to have to acquire an Arnot though. Very nice.
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It is a lovely snowdrop, quite tall. Mine is in a pot and seems to be quite happy, I’ve got 4 flowers this year, I only remember 1 from last. I must remember to give it a feed!
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February truly is mid winter here, with snow still falling and temperatures steadily below zero. Lovely to see your flowers tho – especially the Iris!
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It is generally relatively mild here in the south west, mind you The Beast From the East arrived in March so we can never be complacent! And thanks 🙂
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Beautiful photos and great post! I am amazed by all the blooming flowers you have in your garden while it still winter! ❤ You are blessed! 🙂
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Thank you so much, and you are right, I am blessed. 🙂
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All looking exceedingly colourful in your patch. That red salvia is fabulous! Could the iris be ‘Harmony’? It is a lovely blue. Trouble is so many of these little irises look the same!
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Oh, that sounds familiar, and the kind of name I would be tempted by. Thanks 🙂
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You can certainly capture raindrops beautifully..for example on the iris. Hope your trousers dry inside and out…
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I’ve had a lot of practice! And thank you 🙂
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Oh how I wish that February was the “last hurrah” of winter, LOL! Not here, though. 😦 Not a whisper of a snowdrop yet either, but I live in hope!
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All things come to those who wait – apparently! Look forward to sharing your snowdrops when they arrive. 🙂
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My eye was caught by your last photo. Hot pink and brilliant orange – in February. Well that’s unexpected.
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To be honest it was a bit of a surprise to me!
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Your Salvia looks like the one in my garden, I fear a Snowdrop will never venture this far south. Iris reticulata is a favorite of mine, lovely to see yours.
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I think that sometimes it is nice not to have everything and then we can appreciate what others have got. Does that make sense? 🙂
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True.. and I love the mad tropicals
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Some really great photos this week. The iris, of course, which is smashing, but also the calendula & friend. As I have no snowdrops blooming in my garden, I call your bluff on the, Wait ’til Mr P gets home, threat. I believe he referred to himself as a snowdrop atheist, & if he didn’t, I dreamt it which makes it just as real. Am jealous I never thought to clean my waterproofs like that.
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Truthfully the pegging the legs up meant that the bottoms didn’t get very clean, but they are better than they were and I need them for tomorrow!
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Hey, I’m back. It’s great to see the colourful leaves of the phormium. The Waterproof trousers look very impressive. Looks like you could go wading in some very large puddles in those.
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Glad to see you! Puddles here I come ….. 🙂
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No snowdrops rules, I am not a big fan!
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Wish I’d know that ……
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