Three years ago the gardeners at our nearby National Trust parkland at Clumber Park planted literally thousands of bulbs. They are maturing nicely and as the season progresses the grass will be very crowded with different varieties. Not that they will be better than the blues of Scilla lucilae, more commonly known as ‘glory of the snow’.
Scilla lucilae Nectarine ‘Pineapple’
One of the rare fruit trees featured here and it’s a peach. Well actually a nectarine – the variety ‘Pineapple’ grown in Clumber’s stunning and huge orangery in the espalier style. There were a few varieties though this was my favourite.
So a few more of my highlights from today which I’m delighted to say was sunny and mild after our short lived second winter.
A genuinely classy display and a tribute to the volunteers who offer so much.Close-up of the muscari. So many colours and shades these yearsCrocus ‘Snowbunting’ And one from last yearRather more fancy Auriculas will be displayed here later in the year and in the meantime..Narcissus ‘Falconet’, a Tazetta variety, sweet smelling and recipient of RHA Award of Garden Merit. Widely available and on my list for 2024.The books provided a bit of styleThe scent was delectable
There comes a time in the garden when the white turns to yellow and, as in this case, purple. The hellebores open out and two beautiful specimens above are below. The first is label-less though I’ll dig into the undergrowth to discover a plant label I’m convinced was there prior to the autumn clean-up. The second, captured rather wonderfully with my common or garden cell phone, is identifiable. Three more seedlings follow: a seedling of the named variety ‘Harvington Double White’, rather nice last year, puny this. The second, another seedling, is ivory but rather attractive. Finally a picote form, a seedling from the Harvington single picotee, and a semi double at that. It’s particularly bright. I have two compost bins ready for emptying. All plants thrive on well composted garden waste. So that’s for the weekend
Helleborus ‘Ice n’Roses Rose’SeedlingSeedlingHarvington picotee – seedling from ..
Doddington Hall and Gardens, one of our favourite excursions. We normally visit nearby properties and gardens when the sun shines. Not so this morning. It was cold and mostly dark with a little frisson of excitement as the promised unseasonal snowstorm manifested itself earlier than threatened, shown here in the hail and sleet that slants across the image above. But this is not the place to bemoan one’s luck or dwell on the negatives. There was light and colour aplenty in these blessed gardens. So here are some of my highlights and should you be interested in more professional photos do take a look at Carole Drake’s stab at capturing Doddington in late winter, early Spring. Alternatively you might want to question my stab at plant names. That Cornelian Cherry might well not be a Cornelian Cherry though it was very nice.
Hamamelis ‘Orange Beauty’The famous Doddington ancient sweet chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) surrounded by early flowering wild narcissii (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)Said tree in close-up Early Rhododendron Gorgeous view with remnants of Crocus tommasinianus and narcissii; in the distance the pyramid shaped folly circa 2014!Hellebores in profusion Andrea and Jan by the meadows And Colin blocking the viewHoop narcissus The common primrose, Primula vulgarisCyclamen coum Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’Rhododendron with house in backgroundPurple euphorbia The stars of the show
There are a few snowdrops that truly stand out and the happily now more widely available ‘Trumps’ is one. These little fellas were by the compost bins and are somewhat later than their chums. There are those who always seek the unusual and therefore more expensive varieties. Matt Bishop discovered ‘Trumps’ in 1999 and it retails at about £20, an investment that will pay dividends because you could literally double your money in twelve months. It’s robust and catches the eye beautifully. Gardeners are allowed favourites, you know.
Galanthus ‘Trumps’
I only have one example of Anne Wright’s Dryad snowdrops as they are a tad pricey even now. Again, ‘Dryad Gold Medal’ is a good investment as it increases quickly. Indeed I’ve already given a couple away as gifts. It has a rich colour as is shown here a week ago on a dull day. Another lovely snowdrop and investment. Which reminds me of a visit we made last winter to a rather stately North Yorkshire garden full of the most unusual snowdrop varieties. The owner swore me to secrecy about the cost of her latest acquisitions. ‘If my husband ever finds out ….’
Another prolific yellow is ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ a diminutive gem that lights up the winter border, or it did last week when I took the photograph. Whilst not as large as the Dryan cultivar above it is less damaging to your wealth. I was dividing up both varieties yesterday for my fledgling yellow border.
Last year I finished moving all my treasured snowdrops from pots to the borders with generally pleasing results. Having been away for much of January and February I missed many of the earlier flowering snowdrops so popping out with my camera into the brilliant if cold sunlight I chanced upon this lovely, subtle group of ‘Prague Spring’. There are dangers with weeding and digging when prized bulbs are hidden beneath the soil so it is gratifying to see the survivors. Snowdrops are generally hardy souls. I’ve found drought and narcissus fly to be greater threats than my garden fork.
‘Galanthus ‘Prague Spring’
Speaking of pests, frost is the worst. On Sunday I was admiring our white camellia that has come on in leaps and bounds since I took out the rampant holly tree in the dark corner of the front garden. Naturally I had intended to take a photograph…. Those good intentions! What a difference a day makes. Still, it remains a beauty just somewhat singed at the edges. Like me, without the beauty.
I was given a tiny offshoot of this prized snowdrop in 2020 and it’s time to take stock. So seven flowers and they’ve just gone over. I’ve divided up the bottom plant here to reveal three decent bulbs that will grace another part of the garden. It’s interesting to see how things move on in the world of snowdrops. The latest cultivar ‘Louella’, shown here from its current Ebay listing is a cross between ‘Ecusson d’Or’ and ‘Golden Fleece’ and looks extraordinary similar if a rather paler yellow than its parent above and I trust is more vigorous than ‘Ecusson d’Or’. Anyway it’s advertised at £200 which should make someone a little richer because quite a number have been sold.
My Galanthus Garden 