Hallelujah! It’s a dry day here, or at least forecast to be. But can I make the most of it? No. There are other things to do today and I must hope that tomorrow stays dry too. The great dilemma is whether or not to plant the potatoes. The long range forecast is for more rain so I feel I might as well get on with it while it is dry. That’s tomorrow’s job. For today, here are six things from the garden.
One
The plum blossom quietly opened last weekend. It seemed to appear just after the photos for last week’s SOS were chosen. It looks like being a bumper crop this year.
Two
The relentless rain has had an amazing effect on these ‘Negrita’ tulips. I have never seen them so tall and strong. They have been in the ground for several years and have a done a good job of returning.
Three
The same cannot be said for narcissus poeticus ‘Actaea’. Undeniably beautiful but so few of the many I planted have shown up this year. Perhaps they will surprise me next year. I can be patient.
Four
Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’. This was another disappearing plant, succumbing to slugs in it’s first year but fighting back the next year. This started out in the garden as a one litre pot in 2021 and hasn’t really bulked up at all. But I am pleased that it seems to have dug in and hopefully it will become stronger over the next couple of years.
Five
A few weeks back I showed the bronzed foliage of the old leaves of an epimedium, promising that I would be cutting them back to reveal the new growth. No, wasn’t done, too much rain, didn’t have the time and so here it is again with flowers – epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum. As you can see, this week I have been checking my notes in order to bring you the full names.
Six
This is another of those plants I intended to have more of. Erythronium ‘White Beauty’, just opening. I decided to share this before the slugs get to it. Even with this downside I will put it on the ‘Do not forget to buy more of’ list.
Some gardening jobs were started last weekend, the pruning of the hydrangeas has begun, red onions were planted in sets and the greenhouse was swept out in preparation for seed sowing. The grass has been mown again, the lawn is definitely enjoying the warmth and rain. I am beginning to feel like a gardener again and a great feeling it is too! Join the other SOSers at Jim’s place and don’t hesitate to join in, everyone welcome.
n20gardener 
Wow to the plum blossom. ‘Negrita’ sounds like a good tulip if it comes back each year – I’ll have to try and remember it come bulb buying season. I’ve not spotted any of my Narcissus poeticus yet – I can’t remember if I planted any more or not in the autumn. Alas, my white bleeding heart vanished but the red one has returned.
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Vanishing plants – there should be do not plant list but I guess it’s down to individual conditions!
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Snap with the Negrita. First year for mine and in a container, but they are said to be hardy perennials so maybe I find a spot in the garden. As for the Poet’s narcissi I have planted dozens of them and they just do not flower! I think I had half a dozen blooms a few years ago and nothing since, not even from newer bulbs. Plenty of leaves, but they surely can’t be congested after one year? Maybe I’ll remember to dig them up this year if it stops raining.
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The poeticus is very frustrating. Said to be good at colonising but maybe just the writing place for them!
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Just had a thought : the poeticus flower much later, even into May if I remember correctly. So we shouldn’t give up on them just yet!
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I have a batch that do flower later. We shall see!
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Back from vacation this afternoon, my first tulip Negrita is in bloom! What a pleasure to see these little things that have changed a lot in a week.
Can’t wait to see the flowers of my epimedium because yours are very beautiful. Molluscs have been seen in colonies nearby….
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I found about 10 slugs today and relocated them to the compost bin. I hope they stay there!
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Pretty photos. Daffodil is very cheery.
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It’s getting easier here but still so much rain.
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Familiar story of meaning to cut back Epimedium foliage and failing, again. It’s a fiddly job I hate, should probably do it really early with shears. Next time.
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White bleeding hearts is an uncommon one. White is my favorite color, but more common red and white bleeding heart is too pretty to not be preferable. I could not decide which I prefer. I suppose each has its place. How did you decide on white?
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I’m always drawn to white and I’m not so keen on the pinky one
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The epimedium flowers are so unusual. Is this a big plant or ground cover?
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It’s in a container but does spread. A low level plant for shade
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I’ve also forgotten to cut Epimedium foliage off but the flowers are now hiding below it.
Negrita is a great colour, interesting that they return
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