Hot and Cold flowers
It has been cold and frosty for the last few days. The pond remains frozen and overnight temperatures have now gone down to -7C (19F). The garden is looking doleful and rather sad. It even has a few snow flakes on it!
There are signs of life however. At present my garden has three plants in flower. Between them they provide an interesting colour contrast. One colour is hot (well warm at least!) and the other two are cold (shiver!).
First up is the HOT colour – the rich pink of Cyclamen coum which flowers from mid December to March. Each petal has a darker pink blotch at the base. My photograph does not do the colour justice as it is actually more intense. I have a number of them scattered through the garden and this plant is usually the first to flower. They thrive in lighter soils and if there is leafmould then they are happier still. The colour is gorgeous and such a surprise in a tatty, brown winter garden. The flowers lie flat during a heavy frost then pop up again when the temperature rises a little. The leaves are nicely patterned too.
Cyclamen coum
My first COLD flower is the early Snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii. The leaves first appeared in early December but takes an age to grow, slowly getting taller, and even now the flower hasn’t opened properly. In fact it has dragged its feet for so long that the flower tip is slightly damaged. For me this Snowdrop heralds the approach of spring – the very slow approach I might add!
Galanthus elwesii
The second COLD flower is Correa ‘Ivory Bells’, still flowering away despite starting in October. I usually lift it into the greenhouse over the winter but I’m thinking of planting it in the ground later this year. It is an evergreen shrub, native to Australia. I’ve left it outside in its pot and it seems to be doing fine despite the cold weather. It’s flowers are not as icily white as the snowdrop, having a faint cream tinge to the outside of the petals. I think the buds look like little acorns.
Correa 'Ivory Bells'
Welcome signs of life at this cold time of year. I’m grateful for them.
13 comments
Gosh snowdrops in flower already – all I have are some small leaves at the moment and its so cold here I expect they will retreat back into the ground!
I too love snow drops, but will need to wait until April (possibly late March!) for them to bloom here. Also love cyclamen; they’re mostly houseplants here, but a friend of a friend has some hardy ones that survive the winter outside.
It’s pretty cold here too with temps around minus 7 – 10. It’s good to see some colour in your garden. Love the Cyclamen and as always I’m amazed that the delicate looking flowers can stand such cold temperatures.
A Blissful 2009!
I miss my snowdrops, had quite a spread of them when I lived in England. Thanks for sharing your with me. Lol.
The Correa is new to me – the buds and blossoms really do look like they’ve mutated with acorns. The colour is very delicate with the little swishes of pink. Lovely.
Nice reminder of more colors to come! I used to have both cyclamen and snowdrops in my previous garden, I need to get some over here too! They do give you hope of warmer times to come and provide such a nice contrast to the otherwise barren landscape at this time of year.
Hi EG, your winter blooms are a treat. I have never heard of the corria, will have to check it out, the blooms are ringing their bells for the new year! I planted snowdrops this fall, for the umpteenth time and marked them well so I know exactly where they are, no sign of leaves at all. Sigh, another failure. I will enjoy yours and the cyclamen, however, keep showing them please! :-)
Frances
It’s heartwarming to see some signs of life in this cold snap. I have seen the correa before in books and magazines but have wondered whether it would overwinter. It reminds me of a delicate fuchsia. You have given me encouragement. :)
Gorgeous hot & cold blooms today EG! I definitely need a Cyclamen to extend my season of blooms. :)
Beautiful pictures. I just love the winter bloomers, they’re such a nice surprise.
I met Correa for the first time this time last year at a local nursery. It’s a lovely plant. I have one clump of snowdrops out and no signs of the other 800 odd yet. It must be particularly sheltered where they are. And the cyclamen under the shrubs are just poking their noses through – very welcome in this winter gloom :)
Well, if you have snowdrops.. then it must be nearly Spring! hooray!
I never seen Correa flower ever since, I hope to see it as I find it very beautiful. Thanks for he post and photos. Loving it!
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