Saturday 13 February 2021

Six on Saturday - 13 February 2021

 It has been bitterly cold this week.  Some of my plants are looking decidedly frost bitten. The soil which had been washed quite flat by the torrents of rain, has the heaved up frosted look. This hasn't deterred the Prop from getting out there and seeing to his roses, or even setting out this morning for his every so long run.  That chap has stamina, and determination for sure.  Each Saturday he sets the pace and leads the pack the whole way: a marathon for sure.  Thanks so much: us supporters will be hanging on your coat tails, for 100 metres or so in my case.

No snow except the finest slightest sift of snow powder was left one morning means that there are a few winter bloom opening in the garden.

1. A pale and interesting cyclamen


Cyclamen coum 'Maurice Dryden' has been out in bloom since the New Year, and if and when the sun shines, it is a joy as it catches the low winter sun.

2 Crocus are  displaying their charming goblets..


Crocus chrysanthus var. fuscotinctus  is the only yellow crocus planted in the back garden, and easy to spot. 


Crocus tommasinianus 'Barr's Purple' and Crocus sieberi Firefly are also out: Firefly is easy to spot  with its flash of yellow at its throat.


3.Hebe silver Dollar is looking 'pale and chilly'.  It is a small slow growing hebe, but ideal for a small garden. The colours appear to be more noticeable than during the summer.


4. I bought a Snowdrop called  Galanthus elwesii, a few years ago, and from some seed have now two or three newly flowering bulbs.  I was quite happy with this as the original one has 'disappeared'.  

As the bulbs are flowering, I decided to pick the blooms. I thought this way the bulbs can build up and produce some good reserves for next year.  I noticed the beautiful heart shaped lower green mark on its inner petals with a thin green line leading to the upper mark.  Two green marks on the inner petals, and stout blue green leaves are characteristic of elwesii.  

Since this snowdrop is in bloom for Valentine's day I am naming this one Galanthus elwesii Valentine. I brought them onto the desk to trawl the internet to see if I could identify it.  Someone suggested it could be Lodestar, but the heart shape on these is very distinct.  To Mr S: My Valentine.



5. Corydalis Beth Evans is just emerging in the Conservatory bed.  A couple of days of warmer weather will see a splash of pink.  Oh the anticipation!!!!!!!!!!! From one plant a few years ago, I now have a few in the bed.  I love the way these Corydalis, with their beautiful foliage, come up. Corydalis flower in Act I Scene II, as the snowdrops wane , and they quietly melt away and then are followed by late early summer beauties.

6. A few years ago, on trawling the internet, I came across Andrew's blog: Kind Hearts and Corydalis. Later when I joined this weekly get together, I was delighted to see that he also posted here mainly about his favourite set of plants.  He is now at the stage in his life/growing corydalis and similar plants to launch out and follow through by selling his plants. Yesterday my first order arrived!  Talk about showing how packaging should be done: absolutely delighted to receive perfect plants, all nicely labelled.  


No soggy packaging, no escaped soil or grit: Corydalis solida 'Purple Beauty', Corydalis integra, Corydalis solida 'Ruksan's Red', and another Corydalis malkensis to add to the two already in the garden.  The Corydalis malkensis card a beauty too! 


The plants have had a water, and with a couple of hours of good light, they were looking very perky, and were shrugging off their travel  weariness. Until day time temperatures rise above five degrees, they  are being sheltered in the cool conservatory  then they will be out in the garden: most probably on the display shelf.


19 comments:

  1. A selection of winter beauties! So many subtle differences when it comes to Snowdrops - it's a nice one whichever variety it is. 'Valentine' sounds good to me.

    Thanks so much for your kind words, I'm glad they arrived in good nick. From the looks of it, they're crept up quite a bit even in transit! Thanks again!

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    1. We ought to have realised that 'Valentine' week during lockdown would be slow. However it just goes to prove the point that travel very well if they are sent early in their growth.

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  2. A beautifully romantic snowdrop!

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  3. For some reason, I don't always see your posts, Noelle. Anyway, I'm happy that I have today. I do have a Blogger account but I'm not finding it user-friendly.
    Delighted to see you take delivery of Corydalis from Andrew. What an amazing little circle we are!
    best wishes.

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    1. Sorry that it is tricky...now you know where I am, hope you enjoy the odd fly past. Love your sense of humour, I am not so witty. I write cause it keeps me sane, and I love to look back on my own garden, baking etc. With the search facility, it is helps me to pin point things which I may have written about in previous note books, but those are not indexed!

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  4. Your endorsement of Andrew's plant supply worked on me, helped along by my Beth Evans down in the greenhouse. Your C. tomasinianus are looking even better than mine and have presumably endured even colder temperatures.

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    1. Maybe I shall show my special cyclamen and what has happened to them. I ought to be ashed!

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  5. I think I planted some Galanthus elwesii somewhere. I'll have to have a nose and look out for the heart marking. It's very pretty indeed

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    1. I shall look out for a post next week with that in, so that we can compared. The elwesii have different markings and some are named.

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  6. As you may have seen, my cyclamen have not fared as well as yours in the frost. Keep us posted as your corydalis progress.

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    1. Some in pots are shriveled, but I am praying the corms will be fine.

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  7. I love the Valentines day snowdrop. How romantic.
    I was reading about the corydalis just coming up and thinking 'I only have the common yellow one, I must branch out' and then I find out you've bought some from Andrew. Serendipity indeed.

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  8. Andrew's plants are perfect! (I should have a go with him ... towards France it could perhaps be something else but who knows ...)
    Nice crocuses as you said : your yellow looks larger than mine, (stripped right?) and will be beautiful

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    1. Andrew will be selling tubers and seed at different times, I don't know if what will be easier: it depends what the Republic of Europe decides. The crocus are lovely. I now read that there are a number which are similar looking. There is a good comparison here: http://www.paghat.com/crocusfuscotinctus.html

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    2. Thank you for the link ! Indeed little yellow flowers nestled closer to the ground

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  9. A beautiful Valentine for your beloved Noelle 💖 What happy and healthy looking plant arrivals. I may well have to take a peek at Andrew's corydalis tomorrow.

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  10. Thanks Anna, you are teaching me to be observant, which is why I spotted this one this year.

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  11. Wow - all those lovely corydalis! I'll have to check out his sales. I've been looking anxiously for my G P Baker to reappear but so far nothing. I'm hoping he'll pop up soon. I'm very taken with the Firefly crocus too, that's definitely one to add to my list.

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  12. I bet you will see GP Baker soon, if you can pin point the spot it came up last year, and peer very closely. If it has been frozen where you are, it might be a couple more weeks, but relish the anticipation!

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