SNOWDROPS AND CROCUS

 We've had sunshine and blue skies the last few days, which has put a spring in my step and everywhere in the garden the bulbs are putting on a gladdening show.

1. Snowdrops

The snowdrops are still looking fabulous down in the woodland, although there are clumps of them appearing all over the garden in the lawns and borders and I can't bear to turf them out.

2. Fickle Hellebores

The hellebores, at least those which are happy with their homes, are flowering well.  Unlike most of its sisters, this one has raised its head to be photographed.  Last week I had a little moan about how fickle the hellebores have been.  Today I found one, obviously self seeded, flowering happily in the crack of a paving slab behind the oil tank.  Somewhere that you would never ask one to grow.  Isn't that the very definition of contrariness?

3 Tulip 'The First'

Tulip 'The First' is a much more reliable thing.  It comes back year on year and unlike some other early tulips, the squirrels don't eat the bulbs.  They do get pecked by birds and nibbled by slugs though, so these photos have been taken from a respectful distance.  

4. Crocus Tomassinianus 

Continuing with the reliable/bit of a let down theme, here is a crocus tommasinianus.  These were planted in the orchard in September 2019.  I was looking forward to a splendid show last spring, yet there was not a single one to be seen.  I cursed the bulb supplier, the mice, the voles, the weather  - just about everything really and drew a line under the whole sorry episode. 

So imagine my delight to see they were only having a little rest, because now they are appearing all over.

5. Narcissus Pseudonarcissus

The appearance of the first little daffodil in the orchard must be recorded.  But I'll write no more for the moment.  There will be more to come next week.

6. Crocus Prins Claus

I'm going to finish with another Spring bulb which has proved its worth.  This is crocus Prins Claus, with a purple flush on the outside of its petals.  These were planted as single bulbs two years ago, and they seem to be very happy on a sunny slope.

That's all from my garden for this week.  If you click on The Propagator you'll find plenty more Six on Saturday's from gardeners from around the world.