One week in mid winter

What a week we had! The winter truly came, froze over the garden and by the weekend we are back to spring. I nipped out in the icy morning early in the week

Frosted plants in garden in Bristol designed by DHV Architects

Frosted plants in garden in Bristol designed by DHV Architects

Colourful primulas create an instant spring cheer. DHV Architects

Iris reticulata and mini skimmia by DHV Architects

Cornish Garden in Central Bristol designed by DHV Architects

Garden in Central Bristol designed by DHV Architects

to capture the frozen beauty, but the silver leaved plants did not look that different. I love the deep blue iris reticulata next to the lime green flowers of the mini skimmia. Some more snow drops make their appearance. Today I gave the garden a shave and cut off the long beard like grasses and dried perennials. I enjoy it when the structure of the garden becomes visible without the froth of summer planting. Children are playing in the neighbouring garden and it almost feels if spring is not that far away.

First signs of spring

It is the 2nd of January today and Christmas is sadly over. It is at this time of the year that I scan the gardens and public green spaces for the first sings of spring. Green spearlike shoots which at any other time of the year would go unnoticed suddenly hold promise. The promise that fresh shoots, flowers and foliage will emerge from the rain sodden ground. A new year: a new beginning. I planted a lot of bulbs into the Cornish Garden which is directly visible from our large full height glazing. You don't even have to venture out into the storm or rain the look for glimpses of spring. As the years go by I am getting more excited by the various snowdrop varieties. Galanthus "Ophelia" is already up, while "Nivalis", "S.Arnott" and "Elwesii" are still underground. Snowdrops pop up suddenly. One day they are there: flowers, stems and leaves. Other bulbs like Alliums like to prepare you for their final glory in stages: first appear the light green spear like shoots which unfold a few weeks later. Later in spring the flower shoot appears to reveal its glorious ball of flowers. I grow them in pots which are assembled on the top of the shed where they can bask in the sparse winter sun. Primulas are dotted around the garden. Their leaf rosettes have suddenly appeared, their fresh fleshy foliage contrasting with the brittle foliage of the overwintering perennials. I cant' wait for the flowers to appear. To speed up the spring flowers I have brought some indoors: white hyacinth and amaryllis are dotted around the house. Come on spring, it looks like winter everywhere, but we know that you are just around the corner.