Helleborus 'Hillier Hybrids'
Oh, how we are all longing for springtime here in the Northern hemisphere - my little corner of it in the UK, anyway. I heard a farmer on TV the other day describe the last year as 'an eighteen month winter' - evocatively describing the feeling that I certainly have of having not really experienced a summer last year - just a seemingly endless downpour of cold, dispiriting rain.
So when a few days of warmth suddenly appear - as they did over last weekend - the excitement levels surge in the blood and out into the garden we go. Dishes lie unwashed; beds unmade, floors unswept, emails unanswered - the siren call of soft breezes and the promise of balmy days ahead are too much to bear. En masse, the nation utters a resounding 'HANG Spring cleaning!' and off to our own favourite patches of wildness we flee - in my case, yet again, to the Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum just outside Romsey.
Today, it's raining - again - but the memories of that promise of things to come were captured (with a new camera!) - and keep me optimistic. Here are just a few glimpses of that optimism - through my eyes - and the lens of a Fuji Finepix S4500.
Almost black Hellebores in the beautiful and inspiring Winter garden
Woodland flowering snowdrops and hellebores
Variety of shape and form giving interest at this time of the year
The stunning, flame-like Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' - a potted version of which came home with me :-)
Red stems of Cornus alba sibirica amongst green grasses and a dark purple Pittosporum (? Unlabeled)
The fascinating peeling bark of Betula albosinensis 'Bowling Green'
Tiny Cyclamen amongst the beech leaves
Narcissus cyclameneus in the gravel scree of the alpine garden
Loving care in the garden - the important protection of tender plants over winter with jute sacking
Miniature Iris (unguicularis?) in the Centennial Border
The striking beauty of bark and lichen patterns
Singing his heart out - Robin knows that Spring is nearly here!
How lovely to know that spring is on her way. I hope this summer is better than last year's. I love those miniature irises, and the peeling bark.
Posted by: Lorrie | Thursday, March 07, 2013 at 23:17
There are days when I would kill for a spot of colour. Never mind, come May and June at least we shall have some yellow with our green :-)
What do you think of your new camera, Roz? I am considering getting that model myself, to replace my pocket cam which has zoom and lens cover failures.
Beth
Posted by: twitter.com/woolgathered | Friday, March 08, 2013 at 13:17
I have been very busy and almost missed this post.The snowdrops, the hellebores, the grasses are all so very lovely!!So nice to see the robin, our robins are back now too, Spring is coming!!!
Posted by: Avis | Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 20:57
Just to let you know that my daughter finally got her degree last week, 107 out of 110, not bad, uhu? Thanks.
Posted by: Gracie | Wednesday, April 03, 2013 at 11:12
Thank you Roz for the lovely words and photos, which have given me (a much needed) relaxing and uplifting leisure hour.
Kind regards
Maureen (Shaftesbury, Dorset)
Posted by: Maureen McCormack | Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 21:59
Roz, you are the bringer of peace; thank you for sharing the pics of your week in Portugal, and your words of appreciation for all you saw and experienced.
I was tense and uptight, having just had confirmation of an upcoming job interview, and now, having visited your blog, I'm quite calm.
Kind regards
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen McCormack | Friday, May 24, 2013 at 21:17