Euphorbia rigidaWhen I went out to take the photos for this blog post I was surprised at how much was in flower dotted around the garden. I have already posted this week about the snowdrops but they aren’t alone in bring dashes of color to the borders. In the front garden the star is the Euphorbia rigida – its my favorite Euphorbia, well probably. I love its acid yellow flowers against the glaucous leaves.
The first hellebores are already in flower and definitely a few weeks ahead of previous years probably due to the warmer weather. They do seem a little washed out in their color this year but that’s probably just my imagination.
The Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’) has just started flowering and there are definitely fewer flowers than last year. I suspect this is because it was so dry and witch hazels really benefit from moisture in the summer to help them form flowers. I did water it from time to time but obviously not enough for a stunning display.
I’m quite pleased with the photo of the winter jasmine as my photos always seem to be out of focus due to the smallness of the flowers. However, as there are so many flowers this year a photo showing more of the plant has proved to be quite interesting. I know lots of people don’t like this plant but I cut it back very hard each year and this keeps it in check and not too woody.
Rosemary is at its best at the moment, covered in dainty lilac flowers and the odd pollinator looking for food.
As well as the snowdrops, the Eranthis hyemalis are starting to flower. I do love these little bursts of sunshine in the border.
The other gem in the border is the Iris unguicularis ‘Walter Butt’ which is fragile tissue like petals which seem to disappear as fast as they appear due to the wind and rain we have had recently.
Primila palinuri is something of a miracle. I grew this plant from seed some years back and it has lived in a pot wintering in the greenhouse. However, with my new approach to the garden I decided back in the Autumn to risk planting it out as the plant never looked that well and I thought it might benefit from the move. Primula palinuri grows in a rocky location in South Italy so I decided that it could probably withstand low temperatures if it had good drainage. Despite the yellowing around the older leaves it is already looking at lot healthier and I love the farina on the flower which I’m sure it didn’t have in the greenhouse. Having just looked it up to ensure I spelt the name right I have discovered that it is on the Red Threatened List in its native South Italy so now I am concerned I planted it out!
For more Garden Bloggers Bloom Day posts check out Carol’s blog May Dreams.
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