It's a Blooming Winter!

"It seems to me that there is never a time when some living thing is not pushing up from the ground, and that at the beginning of the year there is a more vital stirring."

- Elizabeth Lawrence, Gardens in Winter

There are many wonderful winter blooms in Miss Lawrence's garden right now. A few that she loved have become ones I, too, most cherish. I thought I'd better capture their images today - before the rain and colder temperatures set in tomorrow.

(hover over each photo for more information)

Amur Adonis

Adonis amurensis 'Fuku Jukai'

Rare, nearly impossible to establish, this is not a plant for the faint of heart. The blooms remain perfect for weeks on end, come rain, snow, or below freezing temps. Every year that it begins to bloom tells me I haven't killed it, yet. Pshew!

Snowdrops

Galanthus spp.

These easily-cultivated woodland charmers are a pristine delight no matter the weather, and, as with many little bulbs, are best planted en masse.  I can't talk enough about how awesome these are!

True French Roman Hyacinths

Hyacinthus orientalis ssp. albulus 

These are not your run-of-the-mill hyacinths; these are the true original white hyacinths still blooming early every year in old Southern gardens. In Elizabeth Lawrence's garden, these are always the first hyacinths in bloom (just after New Year's!) and they have an undeniably sweet fragrance. What's not to love?

Chinese Witchhazel

Hamamelis mollis 'Wisley Supreme'

A feast to the nose and the eye, this greets me near the front door of Miss Lawrence's house with the cheeriest yellow blooms, and a delicate clean scent. It's a great way to start the work day! This was one of Elizabeth's favorite winter blooming plants.

Come by soon to see what else is blooming; contrary to popular opinion winter is a fantastic time to see flowers in Miss Lawrence's garden.  (It's so great, she even wrote a whole book about it: Gardens in Winter! It's my favorite of her manuscripts. Grab a copy if you find one; it's out of print.)

Yours in Dirt,
Andrea