Struggling on

This February has continued the theme of the winter, with long spells of frozen ground, and occasional snow. Even the bergenia has been seen lying flat and apparently lifeless. However the wonderful hellebore from Ashworth nurseries is getting stronger every winter.

One or two days have been kinder. February always comes up with a pet day or two. We have been out on the drive cutting down overhanging branches and removing trees to give a bit more light and air to the roses. And to avoid complaints from the drivers of delivery lorries. It has taken some hardening of heart to cut down trees planted as babies 20 years ago.

A slow spring forward

Crocus tomassinianus used to be abundant in the north facing border around the lawn but the mice have been busy and now the only place they thrive is in the lawn itself.  They are gradually seeding themselves here and show the silver outer perianths in some seedlings; in others the perianths are a more unifrom fluorescent blue.  The general effect is very pleasing. 

The Christmas Box, Sarcococco confusa, by the back door has been blooming since Christmas.  It needs a good prune each year so we bring the pruning inside and wow, what a scent.  The scent is very similar to snowdrops en masse. The shiney black berries are still on the twigs from last year and are quite decorative.  You might like to know that it is really a kind of Box as it belongs to the Buxaceae.

I bought a small plant of the very early Rhododendron 'Emaculum' (syn x praecox) at the Plant Hunters' garden in Pitlochry.  I potted it on and it grew another flush of leaves.  I took it in at Christmas time and it is now flowering in the conservatory.  I will repot again after flowering and it will double in size for next year. 

Daffodil 'Tete a Tete' is blooming inside now and is very good value.  Small pots full of buds were on sale at a local nursery at a price cheaper than they could be bought as dry bulbs.  These will be planted out in the garden after flowering.

The tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) in the conservatory set a lot of fruit late last year that have ripened over the winter.  We are eating them now with our muesli.  They are an excellent resource and keep in good condition on the tree for several months.  I think some people find the flavour (mango-tomato-ish) a bit challenging.