On the Subject of Spring

Purple hellebore

Things are definitely on the move. Walking round the garden it is great to see the first proper signs of new life.  I didn’t spot the Iris unguicularis flower until it was looking quite tatty, but even so it’s a treat.  If you’ve got a sunny corner it is a lovely winter flower to include in the garden.  I’ve also seen furled cerise buds on the cyclamen and the earliest hellebores are in flower.  Then there’s the Daphne odora aureamarginata and Daphne Jacqueline Postill, both of which are showing colour in their buds and will soon spread their divine scent  in the cold air.

Daphne odora colouring up and preparing to flower