I am indebted to Dan Pearson, the garden designer, for pointing out that February sees us halfway between the winter and the spring equinox, his post for the second of February is beautiful. My garden is not offering the same delights but it is full of promise. The garden is beginning to fill out again and I can see that I have been slow to tackle a few jobs. Nothing serious, nothing that can’t be caught up on, whenever the rain stops! Here’s my six for this week.
One
These hellebores really caught my eye this morning. The grey light seemed to work just perfectly with their colours.
Two
Just a few pots of things waiting to be dropped into gaps. The bellis daisies were intended to go into pots for winter bedding but only a few made it. I’m hoping to finish that job off this weekend!
Three
I have absolutely no snowdrops left to show as the pigeons have eaten all the flowers. I think they are also working through the crocuses so I am snapping this little group while they are still here.
Four
All sorts of plants are making their presence known, here is a group of day lilies but I’m not sure if there is something else growing alongside them, oh how easy it is to forget what is in the garden!
Five
I was taken back by the growth on the clematis. This one is storming away, while others are only just in bud. This is a job to tackle this weekend.
Six
I always regard this corner of the garden as a difficult one. I should really find some interesting shrubs that will grow high enough to hide the fence and give winter interest. Instead I have a trachelospermum, a collection of tulips and one or two other bits and pieces. I think there is work to be done here, but in a couple of months it will be colourful.
The lawn is squelchy and the borders soggy but at the moment it is dry so I plan to do a little more rose pruning from the paths and there are one or two grasses that need to be cut back as I can see green growth pushing through. Tomorrow I hope to pick up some seed potatoes from a local allotment shop. I may have been slow to start but now I must pick up a little speed. Out host, Jim is going all out on camellias this week and who can blame him? I hope the weather is just perfect for a little gardening time where ever you are this weekend.
n20gardener 
And I was happy with my little clematis bud! Yours is already well developed !! Yes, it is not a time to go outside or to walk on the lawn… Good luck waiting and patience
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Wow, that Clematis is shooting ahead.
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I always think of Hellebores as the beginning of blooming in my garden. The clematis is certainly off to a good start.
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That Hellebore seems almost luminescent somehow – lovely.
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That’s a very graceful Hellebore. I feel Clematis are ahead of themselves this year. Will you cut yours back still (assuming it’s a group 3) or just to the new growth?
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The clematis are waiting for me to cut them back too! If only it would stop raining! You have a lovely clump of hellebores there. Such a shame they nearly all hang their heads. I used to read Dan Pearson, his photos are so beautiful. Thanks for the link.
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Clematis (the fancy hybrid sorts), like peony and hellebore, are enviable. We got two to perform well here, but they were destroyed by a remodeling project late last year. They bloom only in early spring here, and then barely survive through the rest of the year. Nurseries really should not sell them here.
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Similarly, only a few little Bellis have survived here. They were gorgeous in Nov-Dec.
Your Clematis is early, sleltered most likely. And what can I say about yon Hellebore? Well, I can say it’s stunning.
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The clematis probably has the sunniest and most sheltered spot in the garden. The bellis are planted out now and are thriving!
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