THIS WEEK IN MY GARDEN - 31 JANUARY

The pace of change is gathering speed, and the garden is moving into Spring.  The sound of bird song is everywhere.  Blackbirds busy themselves in the hedge bottoms and robins flit down to see what I am up to.  The sun set is getting a little later and there are signs of germination in the soil as unwelcome weeds begin to show themselves.

 

Frosty mornings are cheered by some bright sunshine.  The rose pruning has nearly been finished (hurrah!).  There is only the arbour left to do, and who would blame me for leaving that mammoth task 'til last.

The woodland garden (sometimes referred to as The Arboretum to poke fun at its motley collection of not very choice trees), is the first of the gardens here to come to life.  There are a few Hellebores, although only one has opened its flowers.  I have nurtured these for years - four or five at least, and only now are they deciding to produce a decent show.

It is the Aconites that are the star at the moment though.  Their yellow globes might seem too bold at other times of year, but in the grey light against the dull browns of earth and leaf litter, they are just right,

I  crawled around on my hand and knees  to clear away the fallen leaves from around them.  The things we gardener's do for our plants.

The common snowdrops can be seen in and among the aconites, but are not yet fully out.  A couple of the more special ones are being to flower though.  A two years ago I got carried away and dragged Mr B around a few gardens noted for their snowdrop collections and bought a few  to add to the garden here.  They haven't died yet which is a win!

We have Galanthus 'Trumps' with markings on the longer petals as well as the inner ones.

And there is Galanthus Elwesii Rodmarton Regulus, which is Big and reminds me of Rodmarton Manor, which is a lovely Arts and Crafts garden.

I've got some garden visits planned for next week so we will have a home and away post packed with Winter highlights and inspiration to look forward to.  Thanks for stopping by and see you next week.