WHAT'S LOOKING GOOD IN FEBRUARY 2018

@martin-f according to what nursery you find them at..some are more expensive than other's

 

I went to a local nursery and they had a display from Harvington Hellebores in Evesham, so many varieties that we never see sold in GCs and only available online. The double yellows were my favourite, pricey but worth it. My nephew took some photos for everyone.

 

@Mark56 You've got me going now mate adding those nursery pic's...i'll ask my hubby for a drive out next week and that flower is a nice deep purple

 

We have several garden centres around us. Between them they most sell at least a dozen varieties of hellebore. Most of them are either white or dark red. Admittedly none of them are quite as exciting in those pictured above.

What I don’t understand. I gather the flowers point downwards. How do you get to enjoy the colours when you can’t see them?


I have some crocuses out. That’s quite exciting. I don’t think the snowdrops came up as good as I would have liked. Hopefully over the next year or 2 they will sort themselves out.

I have what I assume are Alliums shooting. I planted quite a lot so I’m hoping they will all shoot when the time comes.

I will have to get out one day next week and take pictures.

G.

 

Ours haven't here @Jack Sparrow ..this weather as really knocked our plants about

 

@Mark56 Thank you!

Then do, please, pass on my thanks to him for the photos because those are stunning and I really enjoyed seeing something that little bit different in terms of colour of hellebores. That third picture reminded me more of a clematis! What a surprise to know it was a hellebore.

I shall have to look at their online site because the last picture, showing all the varieties, has really tickled my fancy (and Mothering Sunday isn't so far away that I can't start dropping hints )

The same way we enjoy snowdrops?

 

Re hellebores facing downwards...... many modern varieties now tend to face outwards or upwards. The classic way to display them is on a bank. The doubles, of course, do not need to "look up".......their beauty can be appreciated for the sheer volume of colour throughout the flower. Will try to post a picture or two . If you can, buy hellebores in flower.....the colour, shape and habit then is clear
Re snowdrops, now is the perfect time to purchase them "in the green". I usually receive them in bud or in flower and if planted immediately they will continue to flower. Far, far cheaper too than pot bought in garden centres

 

Glad you enjoyed them folks, you're more than welcome. I grow mine on banks too but quite a few were outward facing Orientalis there yesterday. As you know Niger faces upright too.

 

I didn't know that But, I do now!

 

The Daffodils I planted have all sprouted ( I think ) although some seem to be doing better than others. Last Spring I planted Tete a Tete Daffs in a ceramic pot. They were bought in the green with just a few buds beginning to turn yellow. In October/ November they began sprouting again. And have grown a profusion of leaves but no flowers. No idea why this has happened but maybe by Spring 2019 they will have sorted themselves out. Or not. No sign of the Fritallaries I planted into the ground. There are a few shoots from the ones planted in the sinks, don't think they have all sprouted though.

No gardening today as and more . Had a look online at Ornamental Grasses to plant around the bath pond. There are sooo many to choose from .

@Verdun last year you were kind enough to offer some grass suggestions but I can't seem to find it and I didn't write them down anywhere . Could you tell them to me again please? I need grasses that don't mind wind and salt.

 

Rosmary farm and a few blubs I dug out of the compost seem ok

 

Lucius, do you want short or tall grasses? For what situations? Foliage ? Flowers?

 

I need grasses to plant around the new bath pond in front garden. Since this pic was taken I have raised the bank a little on the right side of bath and the begun weeding out the mound. I have also dug a hole to make a small Bog garden. So, I need grasses that are wildlife friendly ( flowers and foliage ) and like coastal conditions. The front garden is south facing and pond will be in full sun most of day. I thought planting shorter grasses around the pond and a couple of taller grasses further back would help to create shade.

 

Rhubarb not bothered with a bit of snow