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Looking forward!!

60 comments


HOPEFUL SIGNS

Of what? Well, even though it’s only the second day of 2010, there are already signs out there that winter won’t last for ever – and that spring is on its way – so even if your garden is covered in a blanket of you-know-what, you can perhaps forget it for a few minutes and rejoice with me.

Hopeful sign 1

It’s already getting lighter in the evenings! Yes, it is – I took this photo of my corner bed after 4 o’clock today – and now as I type, I can still see across to the gate!

Hopeful sign 2

I found some tiny buds opening on my Omphalodes verna – they’re a pretty blue; a bit like forget-me-nots, and they like shade.

Hopeful sign 3

There are big fat buds on my Hellebores!

They’ll soon be in flower, now.

Hopeful sign 4

I can see green spikes poking up through the soil! My Narcissi are on their way…

And Muscari…

And Iris reticulata…

And Snowdrops…

Hopeful sign 5

The new Anemone de Caen I planted are in leaf – the flowers won’t be far behind. These are a new wine-coloured variety called ‘Bordeaux’.

Hopeful sign 6

The Cyclamen coum I planted last year has a bud ready to open – look carefully – it is there!

Hopeful sign 7

There are fat buds on my early-flowering Daphne.

Hopeful sign 8

I found snowdrops in flower in the lane this morning!

Oh, we may be in winter’s grip
But take a look and see
The buds and shoots appearing fast
That’s hope, don’t you agree?

More blog posts by spritzhenry

Previous post: Winter Interest in my Garden - part 5 - Grasses

Next post: GOING UP THE WALL



Comments

 

These photos make me think of the promise of Spring that each bulb, root and the earth hold.
Thank you...... :)

2 Jan, 2010

 

The signs are certainly there spritz it won't be long before spring.I always think ,it's spring when you see the first snowdrop , and you have already got them. Roll on I say.

2 Jan, 2010

 

i saw a few signs today too...;-))

2 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks SP I certainly need something to cheer me up... Mr MB just found a 14 day forecast and all it talks about is more of the same for us. It is now at the point not of saying 'Wonder what we've lost in the garden' but 'Wonder what has survived'!

2 Jan, 2010

 

Signs of spring!!...false dawn, I reckon we're in for a hard winter.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Thats a very welcome sight Spritz, Snowdrops are one of my favourites..........

2 Jan, 2010

 

this is such a good sing how wounderful to see all these signs of life oh Happy day oh Happy day I love spring the best of all I love all the seasons but Spring the best and this is why so much LIFE so much to look forward to Thanks Happy New Year to you

2 Jan, 2010

 

Well, Many Thanks for these hopeful glimpses of Spring. We are still under a deep blanket of the "you-know-what" and has been snowing all day today. :-(.
But yese, the daylight is lasting noticeably longer. :-)

2 Jan, 2010

 

OK, OK, Stephen - but they are there, whatever else the winter throws at us. Spring will be here eventually. :-))

I just thought I'd write a 'there is hope ahead' blog! Glad it cheered you up, folks. Writing it helped me.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Wow what wonderful pictures
I love the first signs of spring every spring is so full of hope and promise nature is amazing
I am away with tom at the moment in usa and wont we back until feb I hope to really feel spring is coming then:)
I have so much work on the nursery to do , I really cant afford to be here but I am doing next years catalogue which has to be ready for march and lots of other paperwork should keep me out of the sun:(
(Tom had to come back because of his shoulder and for rehab etc. and need someone to chaufer him around I got the short straw :) lol)

2 Jan, 2010

 

Hopeful sign number 3 is my favourite all that promise
I understand its really snowy in blighty today 4 inches in holmes chapel where my dad lives.
I love the snow:)

2 Jan, 2010

 

i too have hellibores in bud and many bulbs are poking through too. but lots of the white stuff falling as i type.

2 Jan, 2010

 

big sigh,cant wait to start on allotment youve given me a glimmer of hope,thanx spritz :o))

2 Jan, 2010

 

Barbara, perhaps I'm a bit different then, I enjoy all the seasons including the winter....as long as it doesn't go on much past the middle of March :0)

2 Jan, 2010

 

Ahhhh, spring .......

2 Jan, 2010

 

You`ve cheered me up no end Spritz thanks.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Enjoyed looking at your lovely pictures .Nature is truly wonderful ,and takes most things in its stride.I am appreciating the extra daylight too....

2 Jan, 2010

 

There are so many signs :o)) Wonderful. Doesn't it give you hope ?

2 Jan, 2010

 

lovely to see the spring buds and bulbs showing barbara, nice pics :o)

2 Jan, 2010

 

Yes, Hywel, it does! Has your snow gone yet?

2 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks for this Spritz.Cheered us up ! Had more snow and it has frozen solid this evening ! But....we have snowdrops and crocuses peering out and fat buds on the Camellia we put in last year,so yes...Spring is only around the corner !

2 Jan, 2010

 

Thank you Spritz, there are so many things I would like to say but can't find the right words so I'll just say that I love your blog and will look forward to spring.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Looking at your photos Barbara it must be much warmer and milder in Somerset as your plants are so advanced.

Our garden is still in a deep slumber, although we cant wait to see the shoots from the masses of bulbs we planted last autumn and in previous years. Our Hellebores, Narcissi and Muscari are not sending up any shoots or buds yet.
I think they know there is still more cold weather to come for this part of the West Country.

At least the snow has cleared here in Bristol but its still frrrrrrrrreeeeeezing!

Everything has been covered in a dusting of white frost here for the last few days.
All the seasons are unique, and we are so lucky in the U.K to have such beautiful changes with each season.

BUT......our weather forecast is for a continuous freezing spell....
I think we will have to wait a while longer before we see any signs of spring here.
Woe, woe and thrice woe!

2 Jan, 2010

 

great blog! Yes its going to be cold for another week or so. There are signs of life here with iris bulbs well up and some narcissi, even tulips. Is anyone growing winter aconite? I popped some in last autumn but am yet to see any signs of life. I might be better off getting some 'in the green' in spring so I've heard? Really hope the forecast is wrong and it warms up, it feels as if my garden is ready and willing to burst into life, if only the temperature would correspond. :) Happy New Gardening Year everyone.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Oh brrrrrrr....don't say that, Grenville! Let's hope that the cold weather doesn't last too long. You are right about the different seasons, though - wouldn't life be dull with one continuous one!

2 Jan, 2010

 

The snow hasn't melted at all :o( It has been sunny on times but so cold .
I hope you don't have any. How is your cough ? Better I hope.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Unfortunately not, Hywel, thanks for asking. We are coughing and sneezing in unison here. :-((

2 Jan, 2010

 

Hope you feel better soon Spritz...have avoided the dreaded lurgy here so far..fingers crossed !

2 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks, Ray. It seems to be dragging on a bit. I hope Yorkshire stays bug-free!

2 Jan, 2010

 

So far so good Spritz...think it is too cold for them to survive ! Lol

2 Jan, 2010

 

its so cold here the bugs dont get a chance to survive :o)))

hope you get over it soon.

2 Jan, 2010

 

Oh Sbg...posted at same time..spot on !

2 Jan, 2010

 

You are certainly ahead of us in the garden, we have had very severe frosts, after days of rain, nothing moving except the camellias which will be out soon, which is normal here, apparently we have another month of bad weather to come.....sorry to bring a bad weather report.

3 Jan, 2010

 

Near crewe we have 4" of snow apparently my dad says.
I dont know because I am not there I am in florida. Its cold here for florida its only 54 degrees F. it should be approx 65 - 70F They say its getting better towards the end of the week here
Sorry to rub it in just couldnt help it :-))))
Hope you cough gets better soon Spritz you should have snuck into my suit case :)

3 Jan, 2010

 

Oh it is nice to see new shoots poking up through the soil. You are lucky to have your spring come so early. I will be living spring through all the lovely photos as I wait here in the frozen lands.....please post lots!! LOL

3 Jan, 2010

 

lovely to see so many things appearing now, every time I walk in the garden I notice somthing starting to pop up :))))

3 Jan, 2010

 

Oh Vicky! Yes, I definitely should have packed myself in your case. LOL.

Gilli, they are only 'hopeful signs' as I said - but there will be more as the days and weeks go on - even in the coldest corners of the UK - and Canada!

3 Jan, 2010

 

All I can see in my garden is snow we have had a lot and it seems that there is more to come.

3 Jan, 2010

 

yes its on its way...i took a walk out in the frosty garden this morning lots of bulbs coming through..... cant see my helibore yet though..... lovely pics....

3 Jan, 2010

 

OK who's had it away with my comment?????

Come on I know I left it round here somewhere?????

Unless I forgot to press submit AGAIN! ! ! ! !

Your blog is lovely as usual Spritz! Reminds us of what we have to look forward to. Lol.

Sorry about forgetting to press submit! ;~))

3 Jan, 2010

 

I for one do agree with you, i've got spring bulbs shooting up, and yes the light nights are really starting to show themselves now.

3 Jan, 2010

 

Thank goodness, Carol!

Ian - this is getting to be a habit - but I shall have to forgive you. ;-)

3 Jan, 2010

 

It's old age (or partying) that does it you know! Lol

3 Jan, 2010

 

What partying? We couldn't go to our 'neighbourhood' one last night - it wouldn't have been fair to spead our germs around, would it? Boo hoo! :-(((

3 Jan, 2010

 

LOL. This has really cheered me up.... the weather forecast is -4 tonight, -3 tomorrow and -4 the next night, but spring is on the way cos the snowdrops are coming up and out.

I wish someone would tell the weather forecasters.

3 Jan, 2010

 

I'm so glad!

I couldn't believe my eyes, to be honest - but there they are, those beautiful snowdrops, and they lifted my spirits, too. :-))

3 Jan, 2010

 

Hi, lovely pictures, that corner bed looks as though it will be very colourful. You left a comment on my blog asking if I knew what your snowdrops were. Well I'm no expert but even if I were, I would need to have some idea as to the green markings on the inner petals to identify. However going by time of flowering and the broad grey leaves, they appear to be galanthus elwesii in flower for you. If you ever come across a clone called "Barnes", not usually over expensive and increases well, you could have them in flower from the end of October. Happy gardening

4 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks - I wish they were in my garden, though, not out in the lane!

4 Jan, 2010

 

I thought I'd be lost with nothing to do outdoors, but with blogs like yours its a pleasure to be in here to read them.

4 Jan, 2010

 

I hope your feeling better today Spritz?

4 Jan, 2010

 

I hope you are feeling better too,spritz,I am feeling better too,as went out yesterday for some fresh air,first time since last wednesday.It was very cold,but lovely sunshine...Ahhh,I can breathe again :o)))

4 Jan, 2010

 

It's on its way out now, thanks - I'm not coughing as badly now, either...thank goodness!

Thanks, Poaannua - that's very kind of you. :-)

4 Jan, 2010

 

Wow...seriously? Here in Michigan we are so many months away from where you are at...it is hard to even believe.
GartenGrl

5 Jan, 2010

 

Yes, I took the photos and posted them the same day. Sorry you are so winter-bound. We're having a very cold one here, too - much colder in this area than normal, believe it or not!

5 Jan, 2010

 

well everything's covered in snow down here :((((((

6 Jan, 2010

 

Ah - you've answered my question - yes, we've had a lot in the night. Nothing's moving outside - especially not me! LOL

6 Jan, 2010

 

Spritz...on seeing your blog, I got all excited and wanted to search my garden for any signs of life on my hellebores and snowdrops. I then looked out the window and saw nothing but white. My quest was soon abandoned (i'm not very brave!) but at least you have given me the glimmer of hope of something wonderful to come. For this I thank you for your blog. :o)

7 Jan, 2010

 

You're very welcome, Loobee - even though we've got s**w here now, I can still see the little spikes poking through and the bud on the hellebores. They are there - waiting for warmer weather more patiently than I am! LOL.

8 Jan, 2010

 

Lovely cheerful blog Spritz:-) and it noticably is getting dark later, and with the snow, it looks light all the time:-)

8 Jan, 2010

 

:-))

8 Jan, 2010

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