February began with such promise.
All the winter aconites opened in a brief spell of sunshine.
The first hellebores also leapt into bloom. 'Cherry Blossom' is not only among the earliest, but also one of the strongest and most prolific.
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| Helleborus 'Cherry Blossom' |
'Rachel', another sturdy performer, has to cope with being in the much shadier north-facing garden at the front of the house, but is never far behind.
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| Helleborus 'Rachel' |
The sun also coaxed a few daffodils out. 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' is a classic yellow that wouldn't be very sensational at all except that it really does live up to the early part of its name and flowers a good month before most of its family.
In the background, a first snowdrop is trying to compete but a few clumps of doubles have beaten it to the punch. It's a pity that you can't tell that they are double unless you put a finger under their chin and tip their faces up.
However, as I write all that encouraging promise of spring has been blotted out, at least for now. Today has brought a fresh spell of snow, so soft and damp that the garden looks as if it's been sprayed with fire retardant.
