Cyclamen cyprium ‘E9 form’
This is the third year I have done the Boxing Day Flower Count and I have to admit that I really thought it would be a non-starter this year as there seemed to be very little flowering, if anything, in the garden this year; this does seem strange considering how mild it has been in recent weeks. The majority of the flowers are on early spring bulbs amongst my growing collection of small pots. The Cylamen cyprium ‘E9 form’ above has been flowering for weeks in the greenhouse. I keep it in the greenhouse, which is frost free, as it hails from the mountainous area of cyprus and I’m not sure it would really appreciate our damp winters.
I do like cyclamen and these are some of a group I planted in the top of the planter the jasmine is growing in against the back house wall. They too have been flowering for weeks, if not months and really brighten up the patio along with the violas and cyclamen in the hanging baskets. I am pretty sure they are form of cyclamen coum but I bought them from a large garden center and they weren’t labelled beyond ‘cyclamen’ which is frustrating.
Narcissus cantabricus foliosus
The Narcisuss cantabricus foliosus, which I bought at the AGS Conference in November has also been flowering for weeks. It has such a delicate tissue like flower.
Thalictrum urbainii
Another new addition to the garden is Thalictrum urbainii from Evolution Plants. It is a dwarf spring flowering form of Thalictrum so I’m not sure why it is flowering now but maybe its the protection from the cold frame where it is residing until it beefs itself up. Such a pretty and delicate flower.
Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’
As with the last two years the Grevillea Canberra Gem is sporting a few flowers although these are very very early and the general consensus is that it shouldn’t flower until May-June. I love this shrub and it was this plant and its conifer like foliage which started me change of attitude towards conifers although it isn’t a conifer at all.
Abelia
The Abelia is flowering as well and again like the other flowers on this post it has been flowering for weeks.
Sadly unlike the last two years I cannot include the Mahonia since I pruned it severely after it flowered this year and it is only just beginning to shoot again. However, there are a couple of primroses and bergenias as in previous years as well as the winter jasmine and a lone chrysanthemum. The total of the year is 12 which is the same as last year although this year’ selection is more seasonal and not so dependent on stray annuals having gone into a torpor.
2012 Boxing Day Flower Count
2011 Boxing Day Flower Count
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