With the recent warm spell, aconite, crocus, snowdrops and hellebores are springing forth in all their lovely glory. I do hope you’ve had a chance to glimpse the early risers up close and personal. They are so fleeting we have to make the effort to appreciate them before they fade away or get zapped by freezing temps.
The squirrels found and ate all the snowdrop bulbs I planted last fall, but they did let my “tommy” crocus alone. Crocus tommasinianus are the only crocus species that squirrels are not as likely to dig up, so I didn’t even attempt others. I learned the hard way years ago that trying to grow crocus with squirrels around is a losing combination — for me, that is.
Since a hard freeze is called for the next two nights, I got down on my hands and knees so you don’t have to– and snapped a few pictures, just in case the frost does them in.
Most of my daffodils, stars of Bethlehem, bluebells and scilla aren’t up yet because their locations faces north, but a few brave Tete-a-tetes out in the sun are up in all their gossipy glory. So pert!
The hellebores are looking lovely right now.
The Winter Jewels strain from Pine Knot Farms includes apricot and yellow cultivars as well as rich burgundies and deep purple-blacks.
Another popular strain is “Wedding Party,” which features fluffy doubles and comes in both solid and picotee markings. Fortunately, such hybrids are becoming easier to find at nurseries, and of course you can get them online. I’ve seen a number of these for sale locally.
For more information, check out my article on Hardy Hellebores.
