Month of many weathers

In the early 1800s John Clare wrote in his Shepherd's Calendar...

March, month of many weathers wildly comes
In hail and snow and rain and threatening hums...

...and just three days into the month we have fallen victim to them all here in England's north country.

The dried yarrow and honesty on our window sill are lovely but do little to brighten the grey skied scene outside. I need colour. So muffled up in coat and wellies I take my camera into the garden to look for some. Its raining so I won't stay long.

This miniature kingdom of mosses and ferns flourishing on damp rocks gives me plenty of green. We are never short of greenery here, we have it in abundance.

I venture across the courtyard and round the corner and immediately spot some tiny daffodils huddling together beneath the shelter of the old beech hedge. Reliable forget-me-nots blanket the cold earth bellow.

One of our early rhododendrons is in full flower now. Deep pink in bud opening to a paler shade and fading to white. The leaves are leathery and will withstand all weathers but I fear the delicate blooms will suffer badly if the threatened snow arrives overnight.

This is a new arrival to our garden. I discovered it at a garden centre on a sunny afternoon last week and it immediately stole my heart. A Helleborus with the charming name  'Winter Moonbeam'. It has masses of waxy pink/white blooms that darken to deep red with age and stand erect above marbled evergreen leaves. Unlike other hellebores it prefers to bask in sunshine; I only hope it gets the chance to do so in the near future. Meanwhile I will continue to enjoy its beauty.

Until next time
Eli 

Comments

[maggie]

Oh Eli,I wish I knew more about gardening. I like that you can name them all. I know a little bit, but as with everything else in life, there is so much more to know about plants in the garden.
I can't believe that you have a rhododendron in bloom! It is just barely March! Fantastic!
In Buffalo, New York, we would be waiting until May to see that sight!
Spring is the best! Thank you for sharing some spring colour with us.
xxx
Maggie

[Redwood House]

Hi Eli, I bet your garden is already in tip top shape unlike mine, but I will get there this month It's the starting that is the hard job. I love that hellebore I will certainly be on the look out for it, so nice to see inside the flower without the need to bend!!!!!
The little daffs are such a treasure aren't they, so cheerful on a gloomy day.
Your garden looks a treat in the view through the window, I have mown the grass and my Mr. has started the veg plot so I really must start the flower beds this week, trouble is once I start I don't like stopping and no one gets fed or watered!!!!
Jan

[clarice]

Gosh just this morning it feels like many weathers. My Helleborus are blooming to. Clarice

[Carolyn]

I would be so excited to see plants blooming in my garden but alas nothing but snow and ice!
I love the blue and white pitcher on your window sill.
Take care,
Carolyn

[Debbie]

Gorgeous pictures as always Eli. We have signs of Spring in our garden, Violets, Snowdrops and Primroses. It is a beautiful time of year.
Debbie

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

I love the old quote! Your blue and white pitcher looks lovely with the dried yarrow and honesty.

I enjoyed seeing all the pretty blooming flowers and the lovely mosses and ferns. I love the pink blooms on the rhododendrons, and the helloborus is beautiful. Of course the daffodils are so cheerful!

Love, Paula

[Maggie]

Spring is my favourite time of year.
Have you noticed the green haze on the trees? The tiny bids are so small, the tree limbs are just aglow with fuzzy green right now. So mysterious and beautiful.
I love the smell of spring and cannot wait for the lilacs and bluebells!

[Cathy Santarsiero]

Oh Eli! You live in such a wonderful place. I love all of your photos. Love, Cat ^..^