A most chilly wind greeted me when I ventured out to pick a few blooms for this week's
'In A Vase On Monday' but the sky is blue, the sun is shining and it's not raining! In my vase this week are the usual late winter suspects in the shape of :
Cardamine quinquefolia - an early flowering perennial which spreads out in a ground hugging pool of lilac. It will start to disappear soon and remain invisible until next winter. Some years it's foliage has been peppered with little holes but this winter it has remained unblemished. Maybe it has liked all the rain we have had throughout the autumn and winter.
Sprigs of a winter flowering heather. I've no idea of what variety they are. They were chosen and planted by himself and seem be pest and disease free.
Pulmonaria from one of the seedlings that appear by magic every year quite often in places that surprise you.
Narcissus - the flower at the back is 'W.P. Milner and the smaller is 'Elka'. Elka's innards fail to a pale creamy yellow as she ages.
A late flowering snowdrop - 'plicatus Augustus' I think. Most of my snowdrops both in the garden and in the greenhouse have gone over now but there are still a few welcome latecomers to the party.
With thanks as always to Cathy over
'At Rambling In The Garden' who stalwartly and generously hosts this meme whatever ever the weather. I've just had a peek at her post which is full of instant sunshine. Do take a peek there if you haven't already visited.
I have always like pulmonaria, but mine has been uninspiring in recent years - don't know why they aren't clumping like they used to. What a sweet little vase you have created - and I am pleased you were able to get out and pick the contents. Thanks for sharing it, Anna
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that a couple of my favourite pulmonarias seem to have disappeared Cathy which is most upsetting 😢
DeleteA "ground hugging pool of lilac" sounds lovely! I've never heard of Cardamine but if the warmth of Spring sends it packing, I suppose it knows better than to show its roots in southern California! In any case, your ingredients make a nice confection. I hope you get more warm days and blue skies soon.
ReplyDeleteYes it comes up in January Kris and then goes totally underground probably by the end of April. We have had the sunny day but not a warm one yet. Back to rain today.
DeleteIsn’t it wonderful to see the early daffodils?
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Sue. A most cheering sight.
DeleteLove the way you have placed your vase, the light through the lilac contrasting with the pale yellow is gentle and soft. Love your Harp Shell...
ReplyDeleteOh thanks Noelle. I was struggling to find room for a vase in a reasonably light spot on what was a dreary day. The shell came home with me after a holiday in Wales last summer when we visited a specialist shell shop in Newquay. It was a treasure trove!
DeleteThis is very pretty, Anna, and it shows how well pink and yellow can go together when they're the right shades. I love all cardamine, they're so charming and valuable for insects. How is your arm? best wishes x
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment Annette. My right hand is coming on though still troubling me at times. I did manage to do some intensive weeding with it yesterday which was encouraging 😀
ReplyDelete