First Spring Flowers

It's been quite wet, cold and miserable these last few weeks, but spring flowers are blooming in the garden again. It always surprising every single year how they seem to suddenly spring up at long last whatever the weather is doing. 

It's early March and according to the met office, spring has already begun. We've already seen the snowdrops and hellebores and before they've begun to fade back, the crocuses and the first of the daffodils have started to bloom. It's a welcome sight to see after the long winter months and an uplifting one too. There's a strong sense we're leaving winter behind and there's brighter and sunnier days to come. Some warmth at long last! 

The 'tete a tetes' are usually the first daffodils to bloom and there's quite a few groupings of them in the lawn and borders both front and back of the house. Some of the other larger varieties aren't far behind them and with a little warm sunshine will be in full flower too. Tulip and bluebell shoots are also pushing through the soil. 

The mornings are lighter and I've noticed the dawn chorus becoming noisier and the birdsong in the garden becoming louder. It's a lovely time of year and although the weather can change dramatically from one day to the next, the promise of the whole of spring and summer ahead is an encouraging  thought. 

The winter pansies are also full of flower as the days grow longer and heathers add brightness to the borders and pots. One of the borders is full of 'chrysosplenium macrophylium' with its pink flowerheads. Bergenia - elephant ear saxifrage - is putting on another show of pink with its flowers  and deep red stems. It stands out in the border. 

It's the beginning of show time in the garden again. The start of enjoying the flower displays that will now continue on and on through spring and summer and into the autumn. Time to be outdoors again. 

Around Benington at Snowdrop Time

As February approaches each year, I always look forward to seeing the snowdrops appear and to visiting Benington Lordship Gardens to see the spectacular display of snowdrops in the gardens there. It's become a fixture on our February calendar and for me, the snowdrops blooming are the first signs of winter fading away and spring looking nearer on the horizon. It's the time the garden starts to unfold with new colours and life. 

Benington is a small Hertfordshire village on the outskirts of Stevenage and the gardens are usually open to the public during February, as they are home to a vast array of snowdrops of many differing varieties. There are also hellebores, crocuses and aconites in bloom as well as beautiful views across the lake and the rolling Hertfordshire countryside. The village is also very pretty and worth a wander around with its old church and duck pond. Refreshments are also available in the village hall or in the hall in the grounds of Benington Lordship for when you've finished your walk or wander. 

I think the pictures speak for themselves...