(NOT SO) EARLY DAFFODILS

We've had the full run of weather this week, with a dry, sunny GET OUT IN THE GARDEN NOW Tuesday, followed by three days of it's raining, no its sunny, no its hailing, its blowing a gale, now its sunny again sort of weather.  Due to the weather, apart from cutting back some of the Long Border, not much as been done.  Thankfully the plants carry on growing and flowering regardless.

1. Narcissus February Gold

Last year these lived up to their name and were flowering on 22nd February and made a lovely composition among the snowdrops.  This year, they are amply demonstrating that Spring has arrived a few weeks later.  

They also have a bit of a lean to the right - the after effects of the windy weather.  I do like this daffodil though.  It is tall and slender and rather elegant.

2. The Woodland

The Narcissus February Gold are planted in the woodland, in a long drift as recommended by Gertrude Jekyll.   I love it when the sun shines through the branches of the still bare trees.

3. Narcissus Pseudonarcissus

Unlike February Gold, these daffodils are rather short, and look right at home in the rustic surroundings of the orchard.  The ones I planted a few years ago are beginning to make little clumps.

I find the overall effect rather sparse.  It takes a surprising number of them to make a good impact, particularly in a photograph.

4. Narcissus Telamonius Plenus

There are a few clumps of these double daffodils near the apple trees.  They come along reliably early each Spring.   

I believe that these are Telamonius Plenus, also known as Narcissus Van Sion, a variety which dates back to 1620.  It's an untidy looking flower, with some parts a deeper yellow than others.   Being an incurable romantic I like to think these have been growing there nearly that long.

5. Narcissus Tete a Tete

Now for a really teeny, tiny daffodil.  A Christmas gift from my daughter, these Narcissus Tete a Tete are being kept company by Muscari Cupido .  Both these have been overwintered in the greenhouse and are in flower before those that were left outside.

6. Bergenia

I feel I have over done it with the daffodils, so I have this Bergenia to show you for number 6.  I happened to see a snippet of an old interview with Beth Chatto this week.   In 'The Well-Tempered Garden' Christopher Lloyd wrote about how he disliked Bergenia.  She disagreed.  So she wrote to him and said she found them invaluable in the garden, for ending a border for example.  He wrote back and invited her to lunch and so a great friendship was born.

Well that was Beth Chatto's recollection of events.  I've since picked up my copy of the book and while Christopher may not enthusiastically recommend Bergenia I couldn't find anywhere that he says he actually hates them.  He does point out that, like many plants that are recommended for planting in the shade, they will flower much better given some sun, as these ones are.

That's all from my garden for this week.  Thanks as always to The Propagator for hosting Six on Saturday.