Between the raindrops

Tuesday afternoon was warmer and sunnier than it's been for a while. I worked in the garden for a couple of hours, mostly cutting back Hellebore foliage as the flowers are quickly pushing up. Also caged a few plants that I know the rabbits will eat if I don't protect them. I'm already seeing some new foliage that has been munched. 

Helleborus torquatus

Helleborus x hybridus 'Kingston Cardinal' from Dan Hinkley of Heronswood Nursery fame. This is an longtime stalwart in my garden, planted in 2008. I think Hellebores are like species Peonies: attractive in all seasons. 

Helleborus niger in the front garden. It's had buds hidden under the snow for weeks, if  not months. 

These flowers always look more fragile than the Hellebores that bloom in the spring. This is a late fall/winter bloomer and has been waiting a long time.

The snowdrops looked perfect in the brief warmth and sun. This is Galanthus gracillus ex. 'Montrose', bulbs I got from a blogging friend who is also a Galanthophile. The plastic milk carton is protecting Martagon lily bulbs while I make cages.

Galanthus 'Straffan'

Clearly I added a clump of new snowdrop bulbs to a spot where I had already put a few G. 'Magnet'. Magnet is twice as big with a very distinctive look. 

This little gem popped up next to the deck where I don't recall planting any snowdrops. I have planted two different varieties with yellow markings over the years, but have had little success with them. So it's frustrating to finally see them and be unsure as to what I am, in fact, seeing. Is it 'Blonde Inge' or 'Primrose Warburg'?

 Luckily the folks over at the Snowdrops in American Gardens FB page said it's G. 'Blonde Inge.' This is a great group and I love seeing the incredible variety of unusual snowdrops and rare spring ephemerals the members post. 

Galanthus 'Magnet' is my favorite and is easily identified by the flower shape and the way it dangles off its pedicle. 

G. woronowii has distinctive foliage: wide and shiny. 

Galanthus 'White Dreams'

I don't like the look of labels all over the garden and there are few that are readable after a winter or two. So I make notes about where I planted things on the back of the id card for each plant. This spring I am taking wider shots to help me remember just who is where. 

Not much else is showing so I've left the dead Hellebore foliage as another aid in indentification.

Across the path, I've noted two main plants in this area and where I'm widely spreading some snowdrops. The Paeona japonica is pushing up but I always leave stalks so I don't accidentally step on them at this point. 

As these area fill in I want to take another set of photos where I can see the surrounding plants and the clumps of snowdrop foliage. Even a rough idea of where these bulbs are planted will be helpful as I work on this bed and the one above this year. 

Alas, I woke up to snow this morning and looks like it will continue for a while. Temp is currently 32°F. with the high today only getting up to 36°F. I'm taking it as a sign that I must stay indoors and make some new cages for the plants that are likely to start appearing this weekend when it warms up. 

Comments

[Kris P]

It's wonderful to see your flowering plants emerging at last, even if progress happens in fits and starts. Our conditions couldn't be more different. While you're still trying to shake winter, we're reluctantly getting pulled prematurely into summer.

[Barbara H.]

Our spring down in Alabama has been a constant up and down affair. Will have to see if the blueberries were damaged by the cold last night. It was 33 by my carport but they are exposed and a little higher up on the slope. I'm always so impressed by your plant identifications and your idea of photos is a good one.