The Garden Wakes Up.. and Sleeps Again

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.

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.

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.