A grey and chilly start to the day spoke very much of winter but once the sun came out later this morning it bought a definite hint of spring with it. Maybe time to see the first bee of the year make an appearance. In my vase this Monday are :
- A few snowdrops - these were picked from a pot. There is no label to identify them but from the distinctive long pedicel or stem I'm fairly sure that they are 'Magnet'.
- A couple of stems of sarcococca confusa - the scent of which packs a real punch into most delicate little white flowers
- Some cheerful yellow from the early flowering narcissus 'Cedric Morris'. The first flower to open did so before Christmas and is just going over now. I grow mine in a pot so I can see them easily from the house.
- A snippet of hamamelis or witch hazel 'Ruby Glow'. I must admit that I can't smell the fragrance it allegedly emits but then it more than makes up for that in terms of colour.
On the subject of witch hazels and scents I really listened to an interesting conversation on the topic here :
The 'Rich Pickings' podcast' is a most enjoyable listen, full of lively and humorous conversation between two women, Jo Thompson, garden designer and her friend fellow designer Nina Baxter. They chat about all all sorts not just about gardening and plants. It is chuckle aloud content. Has anybody else caught this?
Thanks as always to the lovely Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' who invites bloggers to get together each and every Monday to share our vases.
I like to think of them as early spring flowers. I know technically it is winter but I can dream.
ReplyDeleteThe first narcissus in a vase - hurrah! And nearly the first one I have seen this year if it wasn't for the one in a nearby verge which was flowering this morning. I planted some in the verge opposite our house and some are in bud, so I am hoping for a good display although it was really hard to plant them deeply. Can you not smell your Ruby Glow now she is inside, Anna? Here, I have been far more aware of their fragrance than ever before, both inside and out. Thank you for sharing your pretty things of winter interest today and I will try to look out that podcast - is it available on non-Apple devices?
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely arrangement, Anna. I wish I could smell that Sarcococca! Witch hazels are on my long list of plants I haven't a chance of growing in my climate but wish I could.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet early spring vase that certainly is cheering me!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a daffodil out. Must be spring! A lovely collection for raising the spirits Anna. And I will listen to that podcast tomorrow when I do some ironing. 😃
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