Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’
Curiously the mild winter we are having hasn’t resulted in lots of flowers in the garden this Boxing Day. Last year I had a bumper count at 35 and I put this down to last year’s mild winter but presumably it is more subtle than that. I do believe that some plants need a cold snap to help them start flower but that’s just wild guess work on my part.
Mahonia ‘Media Charity’
My Mahonia has finally forgiven me for being lopped probably 3 years ago. I wanted to avoid a shrub with just one stem so I chopped it down to the ground and then spent a year, almost, anxiously watching to see if anything would appear. Finally new shoots reluctantly put in an appearance and the shrub now has 3 stems and is producing good size flowers.
Grevillea victoriae
Grevillea victoriae is my favorite shrub at the moment. It is one of two Grevilleas I have – the second being Grevillea Canberra Gem – and I adore them both. To be fair the Grevillea victoriae flowers haven’t really opened yet but any excuse to include a photo of it.
Jasminum nudi-florum
A bit of color on the retaining wall courtesy of Jasminum nudi-florum. Last year I removed the clematis that also grew in this space and the Jasminum seems to have improved. I suspect the increased flowering is because I can prune it better without the clematis – I must investigate when I should be pruning the plant as I have a habit of pruning when I think of it.
Euphorbia rigida
In recent years I have developed a bit of a weakness for Euphorbias and Euphorbia rigida is the first to start flowering although I don’t think the other will be far behind.
Even the number of primulas in flower this year are less than last year but I can always rely on this lilac, or is it pink, primula to be flowering at Christmas.
The first snowdrop is about to pop open its flowers. I can’t for the life of me remember which variety this is and the label seems to have gone missing. I will have to do some research on the blog to see if it has featured at this time of the year in the past.
Cyclamen cyprium
In the greenhouse this little Cyclamen is flowering, I may have to keep a magnifying glass in the greenhouse just so I can see the flowers.
Although the number of plants flowering this Boxing Day is significantly down on last year, at a mere 12 compared to 35 last year and 17 the year before there are buds a plenty. The hellebore above will be flowering soon and other are hot on its heels; last year some were already in flower which was rather early.
You can access previous Boxing Day flower count posts here
Boxing Day 2015
Boxing Day 2014
Boxing Day 2013
Boxing Day 2012
Boxing Day 2011
