When Winter Comes, Can Spring be Far Behind?

It feels as if it has hardly got light for weeks here. The days are a succession of endless grey vistas (it’s official) - though the lengthening days are very noticeable. It’s at this time of the year that Winter feels gloomy and endless – so over the weekend, I took a stroll around the garden to see just what was happening there. Such a heartening sight – nothing stays still in nature, all around me there were signs that Spring is murmuring just below ground and getting ready to burst out anew in a month or two.

Here are some of the signs of springtime that I discovered two days ago...

Shoots of daffodil bulbs, just pushing their tips through to the surface

Wet and gloriously glossy Bergenia leaves – otherwise known – very accurately, I think, as "Elephant’s ears" – won’t be long before their gorgeous pink flowers are blooming. Notice the reddish tinge that they take on in cold weather.

Bright green Epimedium leaves, also enjoying appearing at this time of the year.

Abundant heads of Hellebores really bursting forth – some of the earliest flowers in the garden (many were starting to bloom just before Christmas).

A beautiful, fat red bud containing, hopefully, a beautiful, fat red flower on the Rhododendron bush.

And finally – Mother’s Little Helper, up the "Woodpecker Tree". Officially confined to quarters until her check-up at the Vet, she wheedled her way into the garden and has promised to be Very Useful in the springtime. (I wonder how she is with a fork and spade?)

Comments

[Carolyn]

Roz, I loved seeing what is living in the gardens at Autumn Cottage this time of year. You;ve enticed me to take my camera to my garden. UMM lizzy..me think if ike my cats she will choose a favortie spot in your garden and take to it when you are out there with the shovel and sapde in hand...but she'll enjoy looking at you and may sometimes criticise your work..without intend to help out :-) She looks like she is anticipated that climb down..."can I do it?" I enjoy my cats in my garden with me and Hannah has her spot under the rosemary, same spot every spring summer and fall. She lays there so often the soil is worn to the shape of her body. I can't dare plant anyhting under that big old rosemary bush or she digs it out, as if to say, "PISH PISH, what is this! I don't think so." If it warms up a bit here this afternoon I'm going to walk out there and have a look and see with my camera.

[Darla]

I'm getting itchy for spring as well and I don't even garden. Even the small incrememt of extra daylight every day cheers me immensely.

Loved the photo of your helper

Darla

[fanjun]

I LOVE the words.

[Dani]

Your photos are beautiful! Thanks

[flower Philippine]

Stunning photos you have here.

~Ashley

[ffxiv gil]

Your photos are beautiful! Thanks