It is the last week of January and there’s not a lot about. It’s been another cold week with minus 4.2 celsius recorded in the greenhouse. I’ve not been tempted into the garden but in honour of Six On Saturday I took a turn around it this morning. I can see signs of Spring and so that is what I am sharing this week.
One
Primroses. These have been in flower on and off since November but they are really making a push for star billing now. Very welcome.
Two
The very first tulip shoots have pushed their way through the thick layer of mulch. I’ve spotted camassias, thalia and tete a tete as well. I can’t wait.
Three
The first snowdrops were spotted a few weeks ago but it is February in this garden that they really begin to make a show. Here’s a clump that is very ready for dividing after flowering.
Four
More and more hellebores are coming through. These are self seeders, some flowers have opened but plenty more buds are just waiting to burst into life.
Five
Speaking of self seeders. Another euphorbia has colonised the veg plot along with an ox-eye daisy. I tend to leave the daisies to their own devices until they look like taking over. The euphorbia will very likely be moved somewhere else when the weather warms up.
Six
The very first signs of aquilegias are coming through. These are a.vulgaris ‘Alba’, a tall growing variety of about 90cms. This will be the second year in the garden so I am hoping they will clump up more this year.
There are some warmer day-time temperatures to look forward so I will have no excuse. Jobs to do include cutting back the grasses, finishing the rose pruning, cutting back the autumn fruiting raspberries, the blackcurrants and the grapevine. I would normally be starting of tomatoes for the greenhouse but as the main greenhouse is no more I am going to try a year of outdoor toms that I will start later. I’ve saved a few egg boxes for chitting the potatoes in. Top priority is to make my choice of variety and get them started off. And so it begins. Happy gardening to you all. Other SOSers have more colourful offerings so do drop by Jim’s for browse around.
n20gardener 
It is all kicking off! There is nothing like the first sight of the spring bulbs to get the heart racing.
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And spending! I’ve seen some summer snowdrops in the green for sale. So tempted!
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I also noticed new growths on my alstroemerias! I can’t wait to see a little more. This afternoon I’m going back to the garden centre to buy some potatoes to start chitting mine too. Tomatoes will wait at least mid February, I started too early in 2022
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Good luck with the potato purchases. I’m hoping to get some next week.
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Charlotte is my choice for this year. Common but a safe bet.
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I’m also tempted by them. Readily available here.
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it is so exciting to see signs of new growth, though many of my hellebores are missing this year for some reason. I do hope it’s not permanent.
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Yes like you I have a few hellebores that seem a little slow. I’m still hoping they will show up sooner or later.
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How lovely, you have more signs of Spring than I do yet.
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We are all so impatient for a hint of warmth and things to come! But it is encouraging to see the first growth.
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It’s so lovely to see the earth coming back to life, as spring slowly approaches.
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Such a welcome sight, but some patience still needed!
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Columbine is not easy, or is it? I have seen it do well in other gardens, but can not get the pretty varieties to do well here. Only the native species is happy here, but it is not very impressive.
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This one is said to be short lived…so I might only get a few years out of it. The native variety here can do too well.
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A few years is better than none at all. We planted seedlings a few years ago, but they barely finished blooming with the buds they had on them when planted, and then rusted. If we are to grow them at all, we should just toss some seed out there, like we do with California poppy.
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Everything is on the move and with some milder weather this week, there should be more to come hopefully. The snowdrops do seem to be taking their time this year.
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My Snowdrops look at about the same stage as yours. That looks a lovely Hellebore
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