Are we there yet? It seems not quite. It has turned cold again, with threat of frosts and attendant late afternoon greenhouse swaddling. Of course this is how it should be. It is February and even the most season-swindling of us all must admit that, any way you look at it, it is still winter. I hold my hands up, I am as guilty as the worst of wishing my days away, dreaming of spring. Winter can be good too (I tell myself). It can (I tell myself, again). I cannot promise wall to wall winter on cat herder Jim’s site, which is where the other SoSers hang out, some are just contemplating autumn, but I can assure you there will be garden joy. Shall we make merry?
We have been very lucky to have had two visits from Torrington Tina in as many months. This time she brought another present and the adorable Milly dog with her, a gift in herself. The “It is what it is” sign has not found its final place in the garden yet, it may move around forever, however the mood takes me. I love it. Oh, and there are also a few seasonal things doing their seasonal thing.
Next we have part of my Dust to Dust art installation. This is the remains of a frost shattered, elephant pot foot, slowly being laminated by the weather and engulfed by Achillea ‘Cerise Queen’. This achillea is definitely an empire building monarch, a little culling will be in order before the new season gets going. She will have to learn to play nicely.
I am not a galanthophile, neither am I a galanthophobe. I am, however, a covetous kinda gal and when I saw everyones’ recent snowdrop acquisitions I wanted a piece of the action. On a recent rest stop, breaking up a long journey Cornwall bound, which coincidently happened to be at a garden centre, I picked up Galanthus elwesii ‘Beluga’. I am very fond of whales.
Unless you are here under the misapprehension that this is an abseiling site, I am presuming that most of you are gardeners of some persuasion. This being the case, I am quite sure you will understand the concept of wondering if you actually did plant the daffodils (admittedly rather late) and appreciate the moment that the compost begins to crack open and reignite the faith that indeed something lurks beneath.
The violas have done rather well this year, they haven’t had their usual flowering hiatus, which lasts from a week after planting until a week before the bedding needs to go in. This year I poked a mixed bag of crocus amongst them. The result, although a little ragged, has made me very happy.
Finally, another new member of the clan. This is Rhododendron ‘Graziella’, spotted on a leg-stretching wander around the above mentioned garden centre. I was particularly attracted to the foliage and flower buds and when a gallant young (at heart) gentleman offered to buy it for me, well, it would have been rude to decline.
That is your lot for this week. Stay well and be happy, ’til next time.
Off The Edge Gardening 
This rhodo Graziella has very nice foliage: it’s quite elegant I must say. I googled to see and I was able to discover the very pretty flowers it should have.
I do like the “Tt is what it is” sign and I’m sure the chosen place will be the right one. Yes, the cold seems to come back from the NE unfortunately and here some prunus are already in bloom …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh dear, I am not looking forward to another cold snap. Still, IIWII!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sign, just like life itself, can be moved around ad finitum. Up down left right. It is what it is.
Great to have some gallantry to above said life. Enjoy the beautiful foliage of that Graziela.
LikeLike
Like Fred, I had to look up Graziella to see what the flowers were like; very pink. More worryingly, I found myself lingering at the snowdrop, what’s happening to me?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beluga was partly your fault.
LikeLike
The violas and crocus so go well together, don’t they? Were you affected by the earthquake last night? Nothing here this far north.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Earthquake?! No didn’t feel a thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, I’ve not used the “leg-stretching wander around the above mentioned garden centre” justification thing yet – I may have to use it. That border is looking very lovely with the Hellebore et al and I particularly like that ‘It is what it is’ sign.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and thanks to TT again, she is a gem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking the same thing! I have not wandered across the street to Jungs – was going to buy a bag of sand the other day for the ice, but they were closed due to said ice storm. I think I deserve a new plant and maybe some seeds…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I feel the same way about February, roll on spring and hurry up please! Your violas are looking great, I think you may be right it’s been a good year for them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perhaps the violas liked the cold snap. We will see what happens next year. I’ve also had lots of self seeders from last year. Not complaining about that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still waiting for my autumn planted daffs to appear. Trouble is I can’t remember where I planted them all, so if they do arrive it will be a surprise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve already got moss growing in your new garden on the bricks, how lovely. Your violas are lovely and bright. I like that leg stretching ruse, I shall have to research the appropriate stop for the enxt long journey, it often is as we stop off at NT Properties.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“It is what it is” sign is fabulous. What a wonderful friend. I am more interested in this garden centre stopover you have found – tell all. And the rhodie is pretty though I am not a rhodie fan. I am lusting after an azalea luteum though to replace my winter honeysuckle (though saying that it has flowered better than ever this year). I have a broken lion pot foot which I can’t bring myself to throw away. And what are those very pale irises?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The crocus and pansy continuum is making me happy, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “seasonal things doing their seasonal thing” are lovely, and ‘Graziella’ is going to be a stunner!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, so I am not the only one who is immune to Galanthophilia. Like you, I do not understand the obsession, but would like to eventually try snowdrops. Unlike you, I have not done so yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tell me, do garden centres provide the gallant young chaps who offer to buy you a plant (if so, are they kept with the trolleys or are they free to roam?) or do you have to take your own?
LikeLike
“The violas have done rather well this year, they haven’t had their usual flowering hiatus, which lasts from a week after planting until a week before the bedding needs to go in.” So true – and you say it so well.
The snowdrop disease is spreading through the sixers at quite a rate it seems. I like the one you’ve chosen very much, though Belluga = caviar to my mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person