(taken 12410)As I sit here making out my order to The Temple Nursery, I happened upon this article about snowdrops being late to bloom in the U.K. Being curious, I went outside to check on mine and discovered, happily, signs of all emerging. While I have a modest collection...all of the 'collectible' ones have come from Temple....I do find, especially this time of year, that seeing them is a happy event. I do think they signal the beginning of a new year in flowers (okay, some early crocus, too...and let's not forget the hellebores).
Checking back, last year I did find a snowdrop in bud on January 10th...so perhaps they are a bit behind here. However, it was by February 3rd that they seemed to get going...and I would guess I'll see snowdrops in bloom by then this year as well. It all works out.
Maybe tomorrow (depending on the weather...rain expected) I'll get out with the macro and see if I can find a few blooms worthy of a photo. There are several hellebores in bloom but they're a bit weather weary at the moment. Being hellebores, they'll perk up....really tough flowers.
(tomorrow being today...)
Just the early Hellebores are out so far...
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Of interest...
Not really! Snowdrops and hellebores. I'll walk outdoors, but I'm not anticipating anything of the sort for another month or so...
ReplyDeleteClearly I need more snowdrops. There seem to be many varieties, but you only see 2-3 in the catalogs. I look forward to seeing your collection in bloom!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about my hellebores lately...but unable to get out to the backyard to check on them, as I'm nursing a knee problem & on crutches. I can't wait to see how they're doing; I planted quite a few new ones last summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Shady Gardener: Another month, oh my. I had to move some rocks the other day....stashed there last fall with the intention of moving them...which didn't happen...because there were crocus and iris reticulata coming up! I have daffs popping up all over...which reminds me I should check to see when they start (March?)....Hang in there...
ReplyDeleteYes, EAL, you do need more! Lol! Such a sweet early delight. I think nature must have deliberately placed them as such early bloomers; otherwise, we'd overlook them I'm sure in the flush of spring blooms everywhere. Probably in about ten years, I'll have gradually acquired enough...little by little...to actually make a noteworthy showing. One can hope!
Oh, Jan, I am so sorry to hear about your knee. One thing about hellebores...their blooms are so long lasting. If yours are starting, I'm sure they'll be there waiting for you when you're more able to get around. I've had blooms hang on until June (not as pretty...and tending to look more green...but there). Hmmm, that must explain the seedlings that are popping up. Ha. Do rest and take care. Get well wishes.
Thanks...all of you....for coming by!