Another wonderful day in the garden yesterday. The sun was out ALL day and so was I.
There still aren’t a lot of flowers showing, but the crocuses were blooming their socks off in the sunshine.
Pot of white crocuses – Ard Schenk
These early flowering crocuses (believe me they are early and would probably have flowered in February in England!) are a new variety for me this year. They look like little poached eggs.
Another pot of crocuses were starting to flower. They didn’t have quite the same impact but were pretty none the less. I don’t know how that purple one got in there!
Crocus Romance
Crocus ‘Romance’
In the rockery the Whitewell Purple are not quite so stunning as last year, but I found many of the bulbs sitting on the surface a week or so ago, so that has held them back a bit. Looks like one of them may have even jumped into the pot shown above.
Crocus – Whitewell purple
While in the Romantic Border a larger white variety is also flowering. I think this is Jeanne D’arc because of the vivid orange stamens and the purple stripe on the stem.
The Iris reticulata have been adding lovely splashes of blue for weeks now and they are still not all out. I think the cold weather has extended their flowering period immensely.
Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’
I am glad I tried some new varieties this year, (Clairette and Pauline), but I think the vivid blue and yellow of Harmony takes some beating.
At the top garden this G.elwesii has lovely markings.
Lovely markings on Galanthus elwesii
While at the side of the house the Narcissus ‘Tête á Tête’ really make us feel spring has arrived.
Narcissus ‘Tête á Tête’
I have planted some English lavendar in between the bulbs. The French ones I put in a few years ago are looking rather sickly and will probably have to come out.
Finally, let me share with you a new Erysimum I have just bought from the garden centre.
I already have the common purple Bowles Mauve, a rather delicate looking Apricot delight and a deliciously fragrant Yellow Bird. But it was love a first sight when I saw Winter Passion! Although I was actually looking for some ferns for my stumpery, I just had to buy this plant. It wasn’t cheap, but I reckoned I could get a few cuttings from it in the Autumn to make it a better deal. I will have to protect it from any frosts before then though.
Just look at the lovely rich coloured flowers – and they are slightly scented too.
Erysimum ‘Winter Passion’
Well that is it for this month. Lots of bulbs have started growing now, so next month we should have a lot of different tulips and narcissus flowers.
With thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this meme. Why not pop over to see what other gardens around the world have in flower today.
My Aberdeen Garden 
Lovely, great to get through the winter. We re starting to feel autumnal.
I don’t suppose the cold weather is quite over yet, but it was lovely to feel some heat in the sun. I expect you are ready for some cooler weather now.
Wonderful sunshiny post. The Erysimum has great color. I enjoy visits to the garden center this time of year.
Thank you. I enjoy visits to the GC at any time of the year, but spring is perhaps the best.
Very pretty. Thanks for sharing. Happy GBBD
You are very welcome. Thanks for reading.
Your white crocus are stunning! Also love the blue of your Iris reticulata, most of my Paulines turned out to be blue, I wonder if they are the same. Your Erysimum has such a deep beautiful red, a welcome addition to any garden.
Thank you. Yes most of your Irises did look like Harmony to me. Pauline is quite purple. It is a bit annoying when you don’t get what you order isn’t it?
I am really happy with my new Erysimum – I am just trying out different places in the garden for it while it is in its pot. I suppose I should look back at photos to see where there is actually any space.
I’m new to your blog and I’m enjoying seeing all those lovely bulbs and colours….we are just at the end of summer (in Canberra Australia) and everything is a little hot and dry.
Welcome. Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment. It is lovely to speak to people around the world who are in a different season.
I agree, I’ve learnt a lot from gardeners who blog!
I love both your white crocuses. After finally working out how protect by Cream Beauties from hungry marauders I’m very tempted to try some white ones next year.
And that Erysimum’s fabulous. I saw two superb clumps of a similar blood red colour growing by the gates of Arundel Castle last year and they looked magnificent against the grey stone. Put me down for a cutting 😉
Certainly will Jenny. I hope it continues to stay as bushy and healthy looking. There are no non-flowering stems at the moment or I would take some cutting now. Do remind me later on though or I might forget.
What stunning spring flowers. I particularly love the purity of the snowdrop and the intensity of the little iris! Thank you for commenting on my goldfinches. We used to put niger seed in a container for goldfinches, but they never chose it. These days we simply hang fatballs (with mealworms and/or seeds) and fat cylinders (with berries). These do not interest the goldfinches, who clearly prefer last year’s lavender!
Thank you. I find if I leave niger seed long enough they eventually find and eat it, but they really prefer sunflower seeds. Last year’s lavender is great for them – I have never seen birds eating any of my garden seeds even though I did leave them on all winter.
beautiful crocus and iris Annette, I can see why you couldn’t resist the erysimum, it looks a good sized plant too, I got your email with address, Frances
Thanks Frances. I hope the erysimum continues to look as healthy.
Another fan of the erysimum. If it blooms as prolifically as Bowles Mauve it’s sure to be a winner.
It certainly has lots of flower bud on it at the moment – I hope I can find a spot it likes.
Beautiful bulbs .. And poached eggs! 😊 love those erysimum
Thanks Julie. You only get the poached eggs when the sun shines of course, it has been in for the last few days unfortunately.
We have Jeanne D’arc in the garden, it is not even flowering here in sunny Worcestershire! Perhaps this weeks sunshine will help us catch up. All the spring bulbs are so cheering.
They are aren’t they. My crocuses are all in full sun, when it is out that is!
Lovely spring flowers. Like you I can never resist perennial Erysimums. Your new one is a gorgeous colour.
Thanks. It was only last year I realised there were more than just Bowles Mauve and that they were easy to take cuttings from too. A great plant.
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog!