Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum'.
Autumn crocus varieties have come on a lot from the days when anaemic shoots toppled over in a mess in the border and my wife complained they made her feel queasy. In fact they are not crocus but from the lily family. Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum' is a stunner with huge double white, rather scruffy blooms appearing at a time when other plants are receding.
Galanthus 'Prague Spring'
'Prague Spring' pictured on the 23rd February this year. I first saw it in John Morley's North Green catalogue three or four years ago though I obtained it from another source. The virescent snowdrop is distinctive enough though it was the name that captured my attention, As a schoolboy preparing for the General Studies examination I used to read 'The Guardian' newspaper's account of Alexander Dubček's all too brief liberalisation of Czechoslovakia in 1968. The Russians put paid to that. More prosaically the bulb was found in Prague in spring. One of my favourite cities and a lovely snowdrop. No emblem of freedom however.
October Snowdrop - Galanthus elwesii 'Rainbow Farm Early'
Over time labels, especially near grass and therefore lawnmower range, disappear so I'm not entirely sure of the variety of this first survivor of a tidy-up. It could be one of the following: Galanthus reginae-olgae 'Cambridge', Galanthus elwesii monostictus ‘Barnes’ or Galanthus peshmenii. All three snowdrops are pushing up now and soon I'll be able to compare them. I'm not so sure about my feelings about snowdrops this early. There's still a lot of colour in the garden. And by the retrospective laws of blogging I can now confirm, having found the label, that this is 'Rainbow Farm Early'.
Galanthus plicatus "Three Ships"
On a bright and mild Christmas Eve it is lovely to see the ships come sailing into harbour.
Galanthus 'Three Ships' is a most reliable bulb. Christmas arrives and it's nice to have those little rituals: panicking over last minute shopping, gifts, tidiness, visitors, waistline. Then the eyes sweep the garden noting the lawn edges ruined by encroaching summer plants, the mud, the dead twigs. We note the shoots promising so much but not at the moment...... to alight on flowers at their very height. In tune with the season. 'Three Ships' is a must have for every garden. It was discovered in Suffolk's Henham Park way back in 1984 by John Morley, he of North Green Snowdrops fame, who brought us 'Comet', 'Trump', 'Remember Remember' and 'Mother Goose' - a snowdrop that is encouragingly clumping out in the garden for February flowering.
I have many new varieties this season. However the older ones are hard to beat. Happy Christmas.
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| Galanthus "Three Ships" |
Galanthus 'Three Ships' is a most reliable bulb. Christmas arrives and it's nice to have those little rituals: panicking over last minute shopping, gifts, tidiness, visitors, waistline. Then the eyes sweep the garden noting the lawn edges ruined by encroaching summer plants, the mud, the dead twigs. We note the shoots promising so much but not at the moment...... to alight on flowers at their very height. In tune with the season. 'Three Ships' is a must have for every garden. It was discovered in Suffolk's Henham Park way back in 1984 by John Morley, he of North Green Snowdrops fame, who brought us 'Comet', 'Trump', 'Remember Remember' and 'Mother Goose' - a snowdrop that is encouragingly clumping out in the garden for February flowering.
I have many new varieties this season. However the older ones are hard to beat. Happy Christmas.
Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles' from underneath!
Photographs tell lies. Have a look at this beauty photographed on the one quiet point in a dreadfully windy and wet day.
Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles' looks a million dollars at any time of year but in December and January it's priceless particularly as it has been festooned in delicate clusters of flowers for weeks, with the occasional one showing all through the year. However before you run off to purchase one, and let me say that it would be a good buy, make sure you have a position from where you can look up to admire the flowers. I had to gaze upwards with the camera to take this shot.
I have another winter flowering clematis with a flawed beauty to consider in a few weeks when all the buds burst into flower.
Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles' looks a million dollars at any time of year but in December and January it's priceless particularly as it has been festooned in delicate clusters of flowers for weeks, with the occasional one showing all through the year. However before you run off to purchase one, and let me say that it would be a good buy, make sure you have a position from where you can look up to admire the flowers. I had to gaze upwards with the camera to take this shot.I have another winter flowering clematis with a flawed beauty to consider in a few weeks when all the buds burst into flower.
Northern Spain and Wild Flowers, 6th June 2019
Our early summer trip to Northern Spain was enjoyable. A long way from the
beaches or the sophisticated cities, the cable car from the foot of
Fuente De to the top of the Picos Massif was spectacular, if icy cold at
the summit. But it was the wildly beautiful wild flowers that so impressed. When we returned from the top one of the 'gardeners' had scythed through flowers just like these by the cable platform. We were lucky to get down. The wind had struck up and the cable cars were terminated as high winds settled for the week. You can hear the wind in this short clip.
Galanthus 'Remember Remember'
First post of the season and it's the first showing of the year albeit in December rather than the preferred November. 'Remember Remember' has clumped out dramatically since last year but only two of the shoots are in flower. The snowdrops have been in bud for well over a week and this morning the temperature rose to 14°C and, hey presto, the flowers opened out. I've been experimenting with cameras. This was taken with my smart phone, a Samsung S9+ with a little darkening of the background to highlight the white flowers. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'll take the same shot with a rather more specialist camera and expensive lens to see if it's worth it or has Samsung rendered my equipment redundant.
Plants to savour at Felley Priory
Felley Priory in North Nottinghamshire is just off the M1 motorway and we pass there at least every fortnight. It has a lovely cafe and garden centre, plus the most amazing gardens packed out with plants in immaculate condition and presided over by gardeners who know their stuff. I always end up buying something. Not the following however, plants for my wish list, and yours perhaps.
The Japanese flowering apricot, Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori' is first, a stunning sight this early, still in winter. Its deep pink blossom stands out like a beacon among the muted colours.
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Spanish Spider' was only a young specimen and a comparatively unknown variety. I'm not sure about the similarity to Iberian spiders but I do feel even those suffering from arachnophobia would like this particular arthropod.
Two snowdrop clumps that captured my attention are ones I have in our garden if not in such quantity. One, 'Edith', is new to me.
Finally there is always the fine house and topiary to admire.
The Japanese flowering apricot, Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori' is first, a stunning sight this early, still in winter. Its deep pink blossom stands out like a beacon among the muted colours.
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| Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori' |
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| Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori' |
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| Hamamelis x intermedia 'Spanish Spider' |
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| Hamamelis x intermedia 'Spanish Spider' |
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| Galanthus 'Trumps' |
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| Galanthus 'Primrose Warburg' |
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| Galanthus 'Edith' |
Finally there is always the fine house and topiary to admire.
Doddington Hall: Crocus Heaven
Doddington Hall has just got better and better. They must realise it too for they are open all week. Crocus heaven? so why have I commenced with a Japanese Pink Pussy Willow, Salix gracilistyla 'Mount Aso'? My wife liked it. I liked it. I ordered it.
Doddington has the most wonderful cafe. We got there at 10.30am, the cafe having only opened at 10.00. The restaurant was full, the cafe full and we just snatched a table in the cycle cafe. There's also a recently extended farm shop. I digress. Here's the main course.
Crocuses galore, of varying colours too. All the natural forms in profusion, bees mad for them. Crocus Thomasianus as I have never seen them before.
The Sweet Chestnuts are ancient, blissfully swathed in bulbs right through to early summer.
The combination of late winter or early spring flowers is a remarkable thing.
I also have, of course, to feature one of the the witch-hazels. I noticed they had added new varieties. This specimen was huge.
And in case any reader has not visited, here is the house itself, completed in 1600 and occupied by the same family ever since.
Doddington has the most wonderful cafe. We got there at 10.30am, the cafe having only opened at 10.00. The restaurant was full, the cafe full and we just snatched a table in the cycle cafe. There's also a recently extended farm shop. I digress. Here's the main course.
The Sweet Chestnuts are ancient, blissfully swathed in bulbs right through to early summer.
The combination of late winter or early spring flowers is a remarkable thing.
I also have, of course, to feature one of the the witch-hazels. I noticed they had added new varieties. This specimen was huge.
And in case any reader has not visited, here is the house itself, completed in 1600 and occupied by the same family ever since.
Galanthus 'Midas', 'Phil Cornish', 'South Hayes' & 'Trymming' - sought-after varieties
Galanthus 'Midas' has not disappointed, just appearing this afternoon and pictured against an artistic dark background, that happens to be our fountain although I wouldn't have known. Developed by Avon Bulbs, 'Midas' was their star attraction for the season and one can see why. The mirror reflection is indeed a second flower, whilst if the thickening growth is anything to go by there will be quite a flourish next year. Indeed already a small offshoot has developed, for swaps!
'Phil Cornish' pictured is one I placed in a small pot last year and forgot about. The main planting is just coming into flower in a shaded section of the garden. One of my favourites.
'South Hayes' has formed a large clump. These spotted or striped forms are all similar. They do attract attention in a border.
Galanthus 'Trymming' is another beauty, again placed in a small pot. I've tried to safeguard my finer forms in case of catastrophe. Of these, I've had a few, as the song says. The photograph I use for my blog heading is of this variety.
'Phil Cornish' pictured is one I placed in a small pot last year and forgot about. The main planting is just coming into flower in a shaded section of the garden. One of my favourites.
'South Hayes' has formed a large clump. These spotted or striped forms are all similar. They do attract attention in a border. 
Galanthus 'Trymming' is another beauty, again placed in a small pot. I've tried to safeguard my finer forms in case of catastrophe. Of these, I've had a few, as the song says. The photograph I use for my blog heading is of this variety.
RHS Harlow Carr in Colour: Sunglasses Required
RHS Harlow Carr is our local garden must see. Whatever the season and, indeed, if one considers the Alpine House, whatever the weather, there's something to yearn for. Today it is the colours.
Crimson is for Helleborus × 'Anna's Red'. So rich, so upright, so resplendent in the winter sun that graced us today. So badly named, for surely this is crimson, not red, with that hint of purple and the yellowish stamens. Photographed here with a backdrop of green cornus stems. I want one.
Orange is for Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange'. The stems do have red in there as well though, oh dear, was this an eye-stopper today with everyone pausing to take a photo, to the point that I found it difficult to dodge their shadows from the low winter sun. Shopping list.
Pink is for Erica carnea 'December Red'. So pink and purple as the flowers age. And it's February. When I first commenced gardening heathers were very popular along with dwarf conifers. I'm not so keen these days with two exceptions ....
Purple is for Erica carnea 'Nathalie'. Oh boy what a lovely purple,red. The variety is courtesy Kurt Kramer from Edewecht, Germany and is developed from the Scottish 'Myretoun Ruby', a variety I used to love before I fell out of love and needed the space. 'Nathalie' has turned my head.
Violet is for Crocus thomasii. And there are one or two other varieties there adding to the splendour. We have it on our front lawn in increasing abundance if not as abundant as here. When the sun shines there's nothing nicer, even Nathalie. It seeds itself everywhere, disappearing when one cuts the lawn or hoes the earth. To return.
Here.
Gold is for the shot before my battery ran out unexpectedly. Never buy cheap batteries on ebay. Yellows, golds, oranges. A mixture of aconites, Hamamelis and cornus. The focus is all a mess, not that it matters.
Green is for Galanthus 'Edith'. I'm very fickle. Now I love Edith. The sparse information on this gorgeous snowdrop does not mention the lime green inner markings that were so evident this afternoon. I must have this variety. There were so many varieties to choose but I chose you, Edith.
Turquoise is for the Bramall Learning Centre & Library. Have I mentioned my battery running out? Well not before I photographed this sensational modern building with my macro lens. When I come into money I'm going to get the architects to make me one to live in. Opened in 2010 it is everything I desire in a building save that it is not mine.
All the colours of the rainbow. The alpine house. Heaven should be so inviting. Feast your eyes on this. Sunglasses required.
Crimson is for Helleborus × 'Anna's Red'. So rich, so upright, so resplendent in the winter sun that graced us today. So badly named, for surely this is crimson, not red, with that hint of purple and the yellowish stamens. Photographed here with a backdrop of green cornus stems. I want one.
Orange is for Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange'. The stems do have red in there as well though, oh dear, was this an eye-stopper today with everyone pausing to take a photo, to the point that I found it difficult to dodge their shadows from the low winter sun. Shopping list.
Pink is for Erica carnea 'December Red'. So pink and purple as the flowers age. And it's February. When I first commenced gardening heathers were very popular along with dwarf conifers. I'm not so keen these days with two exceptions ....
Purple is for Erica carnea 'Nathalie'. Oh boy what a lovely purple,red. The variety is courtesy Kurt Kramer from Edewecht, Germany and is developed from the Scottish 'Myretoun Ruby', a variety I used to love before I fell out of love and needed the space. 'Nathalie' has turned my head.
Violet is for Crocus thomasii. And there are one or two other varieties there adding to the splendour. We have it on our front lawn in increasing abundance if not as abundant as here. When the sun shines there's nothing nicer, even Nathalie. It seeds itself everywhere, disappearing when one cuts the lawn or hoes the earth. To return.
Here.
Gold is for the shot before my battery ran out unexpectedly. Never buy cheap batteries on ebay. Yellows, golds, oranges. A mixture of aconites, Hamamelis and cornus. The focus is all a mess, not that it matters.
Green is for Galanthus 'Edith'. I'm very fickle. Now I love Edith. The sparse information on this gorgeous snowdrop does not mention the lime green inner markings that were so evident this afternoon. I must have this variety. There were so many varieties to choose but I chose you, Edith.
Turquoise is for the Bramall Learning Centre & Library. Have I mentioned my battery running out? Well not before I photographed this sensational modern building with my macro lens. When I come into money I'm going to get the architects to make me one to live in. Opened in 2010 it is everything I desire in a building save that it is not mine.
All the colours of the rainbow. The alpine house. Heaven should be so inviting. Feast your eyes on this. Sunglasses required.
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