When I sat down to write this regular post I wasn’t sure just how many photos I’d have from the garden this month, but there were more than I thought. Though it’s not been a great month for getting out there and seeing what’s going on, and when I have it’s either been a brief visit because of the temperature, or I’ve kept moving to keep warm!
There have been glimpses of sunshine though, the photos don’t lie and the shy hellebores below look glorious now that we can spot them on the patio from inside the house. The photos only partially tell the truth too, it’s still February so isn’t quite as warm in the whole garden as you’d think.
But the story of February is lush green bulb growth, and that brings promise doesn’t it?
I’m still so pleased that previous me planted tulip bulbs in the largest plastic pots I had so that they could be swapped into nicer terracotta pots on the patio when they flower. This has meant I’ve been able to free up pots for summer bedding, which as you know stayed to be winter bedding thanks to the milder autumn. It’s such a simple thing, but something I’m definitely going to do more of when planting bulbs.
Every now and then we get a glimpse of yellow which can be seen from the house, and it’s often a brave daffodil. Or a cheeky one.
The daffodil above was an early flower-er, and ahead of a frost. But it’s hardy, and is not just a little bit more horizontal than I suspect it’s supposed to be.
It’s not just the bulbs that are showing promise, my potted rhubarb plant also has some new crinkly leaves, though it seems a Lords and Ladies plant has also moved itself in so it’s got some competition. The rhubarb is just lodging in this pot while we go through the moving house process, so it’s not in my plan to pick and eat the stalks sadly. But it looks like I may need to undertake an eviction for the unwanted neighbour.
Elsewhere in the garden there’s signs of the seasons moving on, the euphorbias are getting ready to share their lime deliciousness with us soon, and the black grass is also looking at its best. Though it’s never really got going as much as I would have liked it too - maybe it just tolerates where its planted, who knows.
So lush green growth, the promise of Spring to follow but still cold and if the weather forecast for the next few days is correct, getting even colder again for the next few days. Let’s hope March gets the memo soon and brings some warmer, cheerier days.
