Spring Green

 I know that it isn't Spring and I still think that we'll get Winter with snow and ice - it's not over yet - but I was cooking Leek risotto and was struck by the lovely vibrant green and white of the leeks.  (Unfortunately, once incorporated into the risotto, they go a rather sludgier green which isn't so attractive.)  Anyway, this got me thinking about green and I had a wander in the garden to see whether there was anything to report.

 I'm not sure what this is - it is in a pot where I planted lots of Anemone Blanda, but whether it is one of those, or whether it is a rogue plant from somewhere else, remains to be seen. So far, it is the only pot in the twenty or so which I planted showing any signs of doing anything.  It is in a rather shady part of the garden, so the flash kicked in, hence the rather bright highlights!

 My crocuses are starting to grow.

 Now this photo represents an amazing thing.  It may not look much, but these are hyacinths which we bought last year at The Garden House, Saxby.  Once they had finished flowering, I wasn't sure what to do with them as in the past, I haven't successfully grown hyacinths in the border.  This time, not wanting to get rid of them, I thought I'd plant them, which I did, with no thought of ever seeing them again.  However, here they are and  I am really delighted!

Here they are from February 2013, having just been purchased.   I'll keep you posted on their progress.

Finally, I couldn't post about Spring and Green without mentioning my favourite flower from Winter/Spring - the humble snowdrop.  These were given to me by Mum, from her garden and they are quite large ones.  I love to see them every year as they look so delicate but are, in fact, incredibly tough plants, bursting through the soil despite whatever the weather can throw at them. You have just got to admire their tenacity.

Winter frost and Winter inspiration

Outside, yesterday morning, I was drawn to the sprinkling of frost around the garden.  It was glittering and sparkling in the sun and looked beautiful.  The hydrangea flowers and rose leaves were particularly impressive.

Later, we visited a friend who was staying at her Granny's house, and in the dining room,  there was a basket of fabulous blue hyacinths with their shadows being cast on the wall behind.  I particularly noticed the contrast between the cold, frosty garden with the predominance of green, brown and grey and the exuberance of the indoor hyacinths with their pungent fragrance and brilliant colour.

While visiting, we went into the local church and I found some lovely things to photograph.  More to come tomorrow...

Hyacinths and Daffodils

I was given this lovely planter with narcissi and hyacinths in it for my birthday a few weeks ago by my work colleagues. I thought it was a fantastic present as it meant I could have the garden inside despite the dull, drizzly weather.

It was really exciting to watch the plants grow (which they did remarkably quickly) and, as they were on the kitchen windowsill, I could admire them while cooking and washing up!

Even though it was raining today, the hyacinths started to open and the strange, sweet fragrance that they have has begun to pervade the kitchen and through to the sitting room. I have tried to grow hyacinths outside, but have never had any luck with them at all. However, this way has worked beautifully.

I'm really pleased that the flowers are white too (I do like the blue varieties but somehow the pink ones are just too pink!) The slightly green colour on the petals reminds me of snowdrops and this whole planter has been a wonderful reminder that the real Spring is just around the corner!