Beautiful blossom...simple pleasures.

   

   I’m not too sure what this is...but it’s in a garden not far away 

   and I spotted it yesterday on our walk. To flower in February made 

   me wonder...I think it’s (possibly) Prunus Cerasifera Nigra ...

   although I’m happy to be proved otherwise!

 On our return, a wander around the garden, brought a smile to my face

 

 and some joy to my heart! So much in bloom already as many spring plants

 are joining the Snowdrops.....Periwinkle, Primula, Pulmonaria...to name a few.

 

What with that and the lovely walk, with the birds singing and no one else in sight

it was rather a special day...simple pleasures!

‘Sweet humility’ ...Violets

              

               The daily walk always throws up an unexpected treat and although 

               it was only a very short walk, yesterday, the treat was a joy to behold. 

               For there, in a sheltered spot, almost hidden behind the church gate,

               and just the other side of our garden wall, was a large patch of violets.

               I almost missed them.

           

The Violet

By Jane Taylor

Down in a green and shady bed, 

 A modest violet grew; 

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head

 As if to hide from view. 

And yet it was a lovely flower, 

 Its colour bright and fair; 

It might have graced a rosy bower, 

 Instead of hiding there. 

Yet thus it was content to bloom, 

 In modest tints arrayed; 

And there diffused a sweet perfume, 

 Within the silent shade. 

Then let me to the valley go

 This pretty flower to see; 

That I may also learn to grow

 In sweet humility.

Beautiful seed packets!

            Seed packets...aren’t these beautiful? 

            I discovered them just before Christmas

            and purchased a few packets. My thinking was, that as well as 

           sowing the seeds, I could employ the empty packets in some way.

                         The choice was really difficult! There were so many!

                         Decisions, decisions! Which to choose?!

                         And by the way, these are from the Kew seed collection.

                        So as you can see...I finally opted for these....but...

                        That’s not to say that I can’t go back for a few more! 

                        😂🤣😂

                
 

Spring...kicking Winter into touch!

 

                        The first Primrose always does it for me! Spring time!

                        But, before we completely change seasons, I do have

                         to say that, this winter, the Snowdrops have been fabulous!

        A purple Primula is pushing its way through to say ‘ Hello!’

      

       In the autumn, I planted plenty of these miniature Narcissi...so glad that I did!

          

      One of my favourite spring time plants is the Pulmonaria; I have a beautiful

      pink variety in the garden...

      as well as a white version...but what I like are the distinctive, spotty leaves.

        

        The Anemone Blanda is another of my favourites. 

        Mine are not yet in full flower..

  

        But if you want value for money, then look no further than the Gaultheria;

        these have been lovely, displaying their bright berries, 

         since well before Christmas.

       It’s always a treat when springtime comes as I have usually forgotten

       where I’ve planted bulbs! So the delight in my face when they show 

       up a few months later, can’t be described!

        It’s 😁 and 😄 with a bit of 😱!

   

     Yes! Springtime is surely trying its best to kick Winter out of the way!

     And the way I see it, right now, is that it’s making a jolly good job of it!