Galanthus "Mrs McNamara" - first past the post and Happy Christmas

Galanthus "Mrs McNamara" has beaten all my other snowdrops, even some noted earlies, and flowered in time for Christmas. It was dark on Christmas Eve when I photographed it and I'm sure the lady will not be pleased at all the flash drowning out her best features, I can rectify this in the next few days. My only concern about this lovely snowdrop is that it has not increased its number of blooms in three or four years so I'm going to move one of the bulbs to a position with a little more moisture in the soil. In the meantime, may I wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Strange bedfellows: Nemesia 'Wisley Vanilla', Rosa 'Regensberg' & Harvington Single Yellow

I decided to trace the flowering of our snowdrops today seeing as there is now life sprouting from the dark earth. But I was distracted by the remnants of summer and, indeed, spring with Nemesia 'Wisley Vanilla' that has flowered in profusion since April spreading its vanilla fragrance across the patio. It requires little pruning, copious feed and a warm sunny position and I'm determined to keep it through the winter. It is a fresh white flower against the fresh green of the leaves. Very attractive.

Isolated roses still bloom of course though the elements savage their beauty. Rosa 'Regensberg' looks pretty good however. There's something about the smudged pink and white margins that attracts me. It looked a picture in full bloom and health during the summer months. It still struggles on. No scent sadly.

And the single yellow Harvington Hellebore I suppose represents winter in this assorted trio. The slugs seem to find the flowers flavoursome.