I may have been a little cocky about the weather last week. My prideful fall inevitably came, but luckily I didn’t plummet too far. It has turned significantly colder, that is true, it has also been wetter, much to my annoyance. But there has been no frost, which was the main concern. Still, despite the fickle weather, spring is bounding along at a fair lick. I have a To Do List as long as someone much rangier than me’s arm, encompassing both my garden and my clients’ properties. This is what spring is to a gardener. A wonderful season that see-saws between romantic optimism and blind panic. It will settle down, it always does. No promises though, not in this world. Less preaching, more SoSing. Give yourself a break and pop over to our mentor Jim at Garden Ruminations blog and indulge in a little vicarious garden joy. Time for me to share:
Bergenia ciliata ‘Dumbo’ settled in nicely last year but got knocked back by the autumnal frosts. The flowers are looking a little ragged after a battering from wind and rain, but I love them all the more for that. Now the leaves will have to make an effort to return to their former glory and beyond. As a postscript; anyone else call them “silly arse-a”? I thought as much.
The rather ominous spears of Uvularia grandiflora are emerging from the deep. This shade lover is one of my favourites, the US have some splendid woodland plants, and its Hammer House of Horror entrance makes it all the more special.
All alone in the world, the arrival of this jolly tulip is a mystery. No complaints here.
It was a surprise this week to find flowers on the Asarina procumbens that were grown from seed last year. At the end of the season they were shoved into the plastic greenhouse, where the less than precious but more than average go for the winter. There are three, so I will probably keep one and pass the others on. Very pleased.
The currant with two names, Ribes x gordonianum and Ribes x beatonii, is less flash than it’s sanguineum cousin but just as beautiful.
When I started writing this blog it wasn’t to impart “what to do or what not to do” horticultural words of wisdon, I felt there were plenty doing that already. My aim was merely for rambling reality, often virtual, occasionally nonsensical. Sometimes, inadvertently, I’ve imparted a nugget or two. I apologise for that. Here is one such instance. If you want to smuggle a new Magnolia ‘Susan’ into the house, or any other unnecessary or inappropriate plant, pretend it is a gift for your other half. You are very welcome.
There we have it, another six, another Saturday, another crazy week in this world. Keep the faith, my friends.
Off The Edge Gardening 
“Hammer House of Horror” or Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video! It sounds like that’s one I need to look at. I love the ribes, whichever name you use, it’s a stunner.
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Oh yes, I can hear the sound track now!
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That last nugget of advise made me laugh! The flowers of the Asarina procumbens look almost snapdragony – very pretty indeed.
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I think a common name is trailing snapdragon. Ten points for observation.
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Ooh, I like the idea of pretending new plants are gifts. I may need to resort to that.
Your tulip is so pretty! And I also really like those currant flowers. This may go on our wishlist.
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Very pretty selection, Bergenia is delighful as is your Ribes. Your tulip might be the only one, but it is stunning!
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I’m very into gifts for oneself too!! And how about the excuse: my friend would have loved to buy that plant and send it, but seeing it I thought to get it and save them the postage! You could use me as a excuse, and then I could say the same about plants I buy. That is a lovely Magnolia. I had taken a picture of Ribes x gordonianum but decided next week would do, as sometimes I have to manage the plants I show
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What an excellent plan! 😁
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Imparting nuggets of information can be fun (and helpful), too! But I always enjoy the rambling this and that, as well. Emerging plants are fascinating–I enjoyed your photo of the Bellwort. That first emerging bit is part of the miracle, right? All your photos are beautiful, but the image of the Magnolia bud draped in raindrops is really special. ❤
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Thank you 😀
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It’s a busy time of year and the variations in temperature are quite perverse. Sixteen degrees last Saturday and barely up to eight today.
I have enjoyed your six today but best of all was the triggering of a memory. My little (now 6’ 2” tall) nephew thought bar billiards was bar billyarse. It always made us laugh.
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I knew you understand 😀
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I love ‘Susan’ ! A good choice
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Thanks Fred, enjoy your Alpine holiday. Too early for meadow flowers?
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Oh yes. Lots of snow and 🌲 🌲 🌲
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PS Do you know Ribes sanguineum Poky’s Pink? I grew it in Yorkshire and loved its pale pink flowers. And there’s a pale yellow one, ribes laurifolium which flowers very early. They have one at Rosemoor.
Asarina is a new one to me, I’ll look out for it.
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We had laurifolium at Cliffe, it is lovely but very lax! Poky’s Pink sounds nice. There is a nice white one too, OH has a soft spot for it, it might be called Icicle. I know there is one at Marwood.
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‘Susan’ is a nice one. Is it inappropriate because it is old fashioned?
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No, because it is a tree 😁
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