SUNSHINE AND SNOW

The week began with some snow.  I was excited and grabbed my camera to head out and take some snowy pictures.  It was a vey quick session - Brrr.

I love it when the fir trees get a dusting of snow.   Did I say we lived in the Swiss Alps?  When you've finished skiing, you must pop over for some emmental fondue.

This fern looked rather decorative in its white robes.

The snow didn't stay for long, and Thursday was bright and sunny.  I bent down to take a photo of these Nigella  seed heads to find that one little late comer had decided to flower.

Of actual gardening there was little to be done this week.  The last of the tulip bulbs have gone into the borders.  A few leaves were cleared away in the Rose Garden, but much remains to be done in that department this weekend.  The Dahlias, which were drying in the greenhouse have mostly been packed away in dry spent compost.  I hope they haven't suffered from getting too cold.  I'm taking comfort from the fact that we are told it is the wet that is more of a problem.

None of those activities make an interesting photo, but my eye was taken by the red stems of this Persicaria 'Red Dragon' which has keeled over in the cold.

By contrast, this Thyme seems completely unaware of the weather .  It forms a fluffy little hedge round the base of these obelisks.  This plant seems to self seed very happily in the gravel, and these plants were all 'freebies'.  

I would otherwise have chosen box, but with all its troubles, I thought these made a good alternative.

For my final picture, how about a bit of sunshine?  When it gets dark so early, it's nice to see some sun while it's light and it highlights the lovely shape of the branches on this Acer pseudoplantanus.

 That's all I have time for this week, but don't forget to check out the Propagator who kindly hosts Six on Saturday.