Garden Bloggers Bloom Day – Jan 2019

Euphorbia rigida

When 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 colour to the borders. In the front garden the star is the Euphorbia rigida – its my favourite 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 colour this year but that’s probably just my imagination.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’

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.

Jasminum nudiflorum

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.

Eranthis hyemalis

As well as the snowdrops, the Eranthis hyemalis  are starting to flower.  I do love these little bursts of sunshine in the border.

Iris unguicularis ‘Walter Butt’

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.

Primula palinuri

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.

Foliage Follow-Up – January 2015

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’

Despite the wintery showers this last week there is still plenty of foliage in the garden.  I do like evergreen foliage. I know that there are many winter shrubs which have flowers before the leaves but I like to see some green outside on a grey day.  One of the stalwarts of my garden is the prostrate rosemary which grows over the patio wall.  It has been there some 6 or 7 years maybe even longer and has come through at least two very cold winters.  I tend to take it for granted but at this time of yet it is a star not just for me but for the bees that feed on its nectar.

Choisya ternata Sundance

Choisya is another plant which really earns it keep in the winter.  I know there are some that don’t like the yellowish foliage but I find it welcome.

Melianthus major

And it wouldn’t be a foliage follow up post without featuring my favourite Melianthus major which just glows in the winter sun.

Watsonia pallida

Close to the Melianthus is a collection of Watsonia pallida which is looking particularly good in the sun at the moment.  I do like the strappy leaves they provide a nice contrast throughout the year to other foliage such as Geranium palmatum below

The Acanthus mollis foliage is still looking good although you will see that some of the leaves are spattered and this is mud which has been splattered up in the heavy rain we have recently had.  I do like the glossy leaves which is lucky as it is an impossible plant to remove from the garden!

Dryopteris erythrosora

Many of the ferns are looking good with their wintergreen foliage.  I particularly like the Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern) as the leaves are yellowish and come the summer they will take on a more orangeish hue.  Like some of the other foliage on this post this plant seems to catch the winter sun very well.

Euphorbia pasteurii ‘Phrampton Patty’

Finally a sun kissed Euphorbia pasteurii ‘Phrampton  Patty’ which is thriving having been planted a year ago.

So those our my foliage highlights this month.  For more foliage posts visit Pam over at Digging