Whatever you may have heard, I am not a fair weather SoSer. I have legitimate reasons for being absent for the past few weeks. They are: holiday, distraction, apathy. I’m here today with a rather unoriginal post, full of late winter clichés and repetition. It is hard this time of year, tricky to get out in the garden and tricky, on a (yes another) Met Office wind and rain warning day, to take photos and write a commentary. I have tried my best. If you would like to catch up with other troupers then pop over to our Six on Saturday leader, Jim at Garden Ruminations, for your entertainment. I think I see a glimmer in the sky, let’s get on!
First we have Helleborus x hybridus ‘Anna’s Red’ a quite rightly very popular hellebore. Last year it flowered for ages. This year she doesn’t seem quite so voluptuous. Maybe she hasn’t got going yet, maybe she is exhausted. I’ll give her a feed and hope for the best.
No late winter blog would be complete without Iris reticulata. A few odd ones usually pop up, survivors from previous years. After last year’s soggy summer I’m surprised any have made it through. Perhaps it is time for a replenish.
Seasonal optimism is the name of the game. It is beside the point that these honesty seeds, the spawn of Lunaria annua ‘Corfu Blue’, would have germinated on concrete. Almost, but not quite. Still, I’m not complaining, all comers are welcome.
I love a crocus, but they are not suited to the wet and windy weather that seems to be our wont these days. More warnings for tomorrow so this little rocket may have crash landed by Monday. Enjoy it while you can.
I’m not a frilly kinda gal, either in dress, furnishings or flowers. Strangely, I am attracted to this semi-double hellebore seedling. It is probably an aberration. I’ll be better by next week.
In for a penny, in for a pound, my sixth and final offering is Galanthus ‘Sam Arnott’, the ubiquitous snowdrop. And isn’t he a handsome fellow?!
Each and every one of my garden clichés is a joy. I may have used them time and again, but they don’t lose their appeal or beauty. Things don’t have to be different to be worthy*.
That is your lot, the sun is out, the garden/swamp beckons. Have a good week, everyone.
*Which doesn’t mean I won’t be buying any more plants. Different is good too.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Well done on braving the elements! Crocuses do tend to topple rather easily in the wind – which is a shame. That’s a great photo of ‘Sam Arnott’.
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Thanks Graeme, the snowdrops are in a pot and probably should be split/planted out or something this year. Have a good one.
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These garden’s clichés are all very pretty and pretty much represent the state of our gardens at the moment. We’re looking for a few colours but the rest is still dormant.
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We are desperate!
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Yes, it is a bit few and far between at the moment with flowers. But you have done well with this lot.
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Thanks Rosie, not sure what I will do next week!
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Toppled crocuses abound at the moment. That’s another lovely hellebore to tempt me. Have a great week.
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I can hear mine falling as I type! You too 🙂
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I’m inspired to do some tidying, as today seems my only chance before more rain & wind. Will my crocus survive tomorrow’s intrusion 🫣
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Hope you had a good day in the garden yesterday. And I hope you are cosy indoors at the moment with a cup of tea and a cat on your lap x
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Lovely.
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Thank you
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Gorgeous hellebores, and a good few lovely reminders that spring is around the corner at last!
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Thanks Helen, sitting here listening to the pouring rain and wind, it does seem a long way off today! Yesterday, I could believe it. 😀
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Cliche is like an obnoxious cousin, . . . relative. I have never seen (real) snowdrops or Iris reticulata directly. Hellebores are quite rare, and good hellebores are enviable. Dutch crocus are available from nurseries, but not very popular. Even honesty is uncommon. We grow it at work, but it is feral rather than a selected variety.
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One person’s cliche is another person’s rarity, I suppose. Thanks for reminding me, Tony.
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They may be clichés but they’re all lovely., especially H. ‘Anna’s Red’. I’ve been struggling to find anything worthy of the camera recently, but today was sunny and I’ve made a few finds. No doubt my six next weekend will probably look much like yours today. Lovely to have clichés!
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It is really hard this time of year. I don’t want to wish the time away but I am bud watching with great expection!
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Well done for pulling your socks up and joining us today Sis. That is such a fabulous hellebore, love the green and white centre which contrasts so well with those dark petals. I am almost envious! Have you tried growing on any of the seeds?
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Thanks Sis. I think I will make an effort to harvest some seed this year. Who knows what we will get?!
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The crocus and hellebores are such a beautiful sign that spring is coming.
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Yes, full of the promise of things to come.
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Fabulous Hellebore! What is it about snowdrops?
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I agree, snowdrops are special, but not so special as to spend £100 for a bulb! Can you grow them?
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Yes, not that special. I have a hard time spending that on a bulb. I am not sure I have ever lived far enough north to grow snowdrops.
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My crocuses will be toppled today! Heavy rain and gales have arrived. Yesterday felt like spring, today we are back in winter. I wonder whether to grow crocuses in pots? I have done so before and was able to bring them into the conservatory to flower. I see your ‘Sam Arnott’ are in pots? I have a few singles and doubles in the ground but not a many as I planted. I do like the pop of white though and would like them to bulk up, but it hasn’t happened.
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I think crocus in pots is a good idea. I keep my snowdrops in pots because I am such a nightmare at planting things on top of other things I thought it was the safest option. Know the enemy!
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