A long winter’s journey - My favourite early spring plants
A carpet of purple and white crocuses
I don’t know about you but we’re still having a long winter’s journey into spring here and it’s lashing rain. We had snow a few weeks ago. To cheer myself up, here are some of my favourite spring flowers. I’m tempted to try the crocus carpet under the trees next year. What do you look forward to seeing in spring?
The first planting that caught my eye was this purple and white carpet of crocus under trees and I'm tempted to try it next year. We used smaller types years ago but the birds uprooted a lot and they never seemed to get going. I like the restriction to two colours but we don't have to do that.
Hellebores bring cheer to late winter gardens
Hellebores! I love them. This blush white one and the Helleborus niger are my favourites. If you have plenty of flowers, you can pick them and float them in a shallow bowl among waterproof candles. They look beautiful as a display on a table at night.
White daffodils
Another of my weaknesses is white flowers. I plant a lot of white daffodils, narcissi and tulips in our garden.
Daphne bholua has a wonderful scent and flowers in February
This is Daphne bholua and it flowers in February here with a beautiful scent. I saw two shrubs planted either side of a doorway from the walled garden at Duckett's Grove (a ruined mansion) and thought it was the perfect position for them. We have limey soil so I'm going to try growing this in a large container and see how it does. It's working well with a red Camellia.
Narcissus ‘Pheasant Eye’ is an old Victorian favourite with a good scent
Narcissus 'Pheasant Eye' - an old Victorian favourite with a lovely scent. They remind me of my grandfather because he grew them for years. They also make great cut flowers so, if you're interested, put down as many bulbs as you can afford!
Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel) is lovely for late winter
This is Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel) and another that won't grow well for us with our limey soil. It has interesting rather straggy blossoms and, as you can see, doesn't mind the snow. I'll try this in a large container too.
Suzanne Winterly is the author of mystery and dual timeline historical mystery novels set in the late 19th century and in the present. More details below:
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