Its warm and sunny today, not quite like other 'normal' winter days. Looking back at when I have posted about the snowdrops in the garden, I would say that the snowdrops are about three weeks early.
I picked a few of the double ones for this vase. I don't think they are anything special variety...I did not pay a King's ransom for these. The doubles are a little more advanced than the singles, and the flowers are appearing before the foliage. I planted them the first Spring we moved to this house, and I loved the comment on Gardeners Question time that year explaining that Snowdrops should be split every four years, and by and large I have done this every leap year. There are several really good clumps in the garden, and I have been able to give bulbs to friends too. I also plant seeds, so the clumps keep coming up. I wonder whether the squirrel is moving them around?
They needed a little foliage and chose some inky purple leaves from Ophiogon planiscapus nigrescens and the variegated ones from planiscapus Little Tabby, which I bought last year from Cotswold Garden Flowers.
Close up the little green horse shoe shows up really well doesn't it?
Sharing the window sill today is my little vase which held the spring flowers last week, my miniature pottery hen, which holds my dried chilies, and the pewter tea caddy. The hen came from my Aunty Prue. She collected the china hens and had a vast collection, well over thirty, and on a visit many years ago she offered me one...but my eye was caught by the very little one! She was slowly giving them away, and very often was asked by her Village to donate one as a prize for the Local Village Show. Aunty Prue is no longer with us, but each time my gaze falls on my little hen I think of her!
The snowdrops look lovely on your window sill and I enjoyed hearing about Aunty Prue's hens which reminded me of my mum and her collection of owls!
ReplyDeleteIts lovely to have connections with friends and family Sarah, and do not thing that in the same way, we acquire pretty vases, and then also share them around?
DeleteSo cute.
ReplyDeleteMy ordinary snowdrops are way off flowering yet, Noelle, so your are much advanced - my doubles always come first too. Beautiful markings on yours, such a clear horse shoe. Thanks for telling us about the other things on the windowsill, especially your Auntie Prue's hens - I expect I will be doing that with my collection of chicken things one day...
ReplyDeletePleased you liked my entry this week. I gave away all my chicken books some time ago....I loved my bantams, now I have other things, but still love to look at Chickens.
DeleteA very pretty snowdrop with that horseshoe pattern, and a lovely arrangement too. :) Everyone seems to have snowdrops out this week... I must go and check how mine are doing now the snow has melted!
ReplyDeleteI had often wondered what foliage would look good with Snowdrops in a vase without over-dominating the gorgeous flower and think your Ophiogon planiscapus leaves work wonderfully well :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann, I think each plant has its moment, and the Ophiogon also needs to have a nice flower to partner too.
DeleteOh a most pretty vase Noelle. My snowdrops are only just opening now. I like your method of splitting clumps in a leap year - that's a most handy way to remember :)
ReplyDeleteYour snowdrops are so cute, and I like the dark foliage with them, Noelle. Your little green horseshoes do seem more rounded than some varieties. I'm wistful hearing of yours spreading, I had the impression that mine were dwindling the second year, I'll have to see if they show up this year. I have voles that eat some plants and roots. The little hen is so cute, and makes a precious memory of your aunt. I have a small collection of ducks and chickens myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether voles eat snowdrops, but maybe you could peer into other gardens nearby and see if snowdrops do well. If they do, then patience will pay, as snowdrops often take a season or two to settle down.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete