chionodoxa – We are out in the garden …

At this time of year woodland plants are racing to flower, attract pollinating insects and seed next year’s generation. This all needs to happen before the trees begin to unfurl their leaves and take away the essential daylight that allows them to photosynthesize and flourish.

At the edge of a small deciduous copse at the north end of the old grass tennis court (now the flower garden) we have a delightful area that is looking at its best right now. Unlike many summer flowers that have big showy blooms these spring flowers are typically more restrained. It is important that you take the time to just stop and look closely at what is growing and flowering under your feet.

From a distance the most obvious flowers you see are the native primroses (Primula vulgaris). Nestled amongst these are the small blue star-like flowers of the Chionodoxa. These bulbs have taken some time to establish but now return reliably each year contrasting beautifully with the pale yellow primroses on the bank.

Also present amongst the dry leaf litter close to the yew tree are the purple pink flowers of Cyclamen coum . The foliage on these small plants I think is particularly lovely.

Some years ago we planted the lungwort Pulmonaria ‘Sissinghurst White’. As with the Cyclamen coum the characteristic white dots on the Pumonaria foliage adds additional interest. I think it is fair to say however that it is not entirely happy in this situation. It certainly survives from year to year but really has not romped away as we would have liked. Time to move it on to somewhere new perhaps.

In contrast a plant that is extremely happy in this woodland area is the Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides). We use lime green a lot throughout the garden to set off other plants and this area of wood spurge really shines out under the trees looking fresh and lush at this time of year.

We are also delighted that the wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) we planted a few years ago are now beginning to establish as well. A member of the buttercup family these small plants are so charming. Also known as wind flowers they move with such grace as the breeze blows through the trees.

Last but not least are the daffodils and narcissus. For me they just shout springtime and shine out even on a cold dull march day.

The whole feeling of this area is only very transient but that is part of its charm. As we move into April and May a new cast of characters will emerge. The fresh green leaves of Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) are already beginning to develop and very soon the woodland will be cloaked with a mass of frothy white flowers. We have added a new area of martagon lilies. So far so good, they have come up and are looking very promising.

As the grass begins to grow up and the tree leaves unfurl the smaller plants will seed and slowly die back returning to make us smile again next year.

These early months of the year are not about the loud flamboyant flowers of summer but the small jewels that survive the tough winter weather and lift your spirit when you come across them in the garden.

Along side the snowdrops there are a number of other tiny bulbs, corms and rhyzomes that quietly survive much of the year underground but come into their own in the early spring. Here are six that have graced the garden in February and March.

One: Iris reticulata

Flowering in early February this is one of the earliest spring flowers to come into bloom in our garden. It looks so delicate but is survives the harshest conditions being native to Russia, the Caucasus, and northern Iran. We do tend to loose them in the garden so we tend to grow them in pots of well drained soil containing plenty of grit. The markings and colour are just stunning.

Two: Cyclamen coum

These are tough little plants which are slowly spreading themselves around the garden. They have been flowering since at least late January and are still flowering now. They seem to be particularly successful growing in dry areas under deciduous shrubs and trees in what appear to be quite inhospitable conditions. Cyclamen hederifolium also grows successfully in the garden producing flowers in the autumn.

Their natural range is around the Black Sea from Bulgaria through northern Turkey to the Caucasus and Crimea, but there is also a second population near the Mediterranean from the Hatay Province in Turkey through Lebanon to northern Israel ¹ .

Three: Crocus

The spring crocus certainly deserve a place in this six. This year they have been spectacular, really enjoying the warm February sunshine along with the bees. This photograph was taken on 25th February 2019. Typically for us the yellow crocus come first followed by the whites and purples. We tend to grow them through the meadow grass where they can be left undisturbed.

Four: Chionodoxa

We are along way from having an extensive carpet of Chionodoxa yet but they do appear to be establishing well. Last autumn we planted a large number of new bulbs to try and speed the process along and they have emerged and flowered in their first year.

Similar to Scilla, but in fact a different genus, they are natives of the eastern Mediterranean specifically Crete, Cyprus and Turkey² . Their common name, ‘Glory-of-the-Snow’, suits them perfectly.

Five: Tulipa kaufmanniana ‘Ice Stick’

One of the first tulips to come into flower each year, the Kaufmanniana tulips have now come into bloom (11 March 2019). This variety is Ice Stick. In general many of the tulips we plant only flower for one year and then have to be replaced. The Kaufmanniana tulips however seem to be repeating well and returning each year.

Six: Anemone blanda

Last, but certainly not least are the windflowers, Anemone blanda, which come in whites and blues. They are charming, reliable little plants that grow in our deciduous woodland areas.

They are native to southeastern Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria³ and prefer well drained soils that dry out in summer. Our soil does tend to get waterlogged in the winter months but the native trees they are planted beneath does seem to keep the soil a little drier.

That is my six for for this week but there are certainly many more special spring blooms just around the corner. Exciting times.

The Six on Saturday meme is hosted by The Propagator. Click on the link to see what other plant lovers are chatting about.

Tag: chionodoxa

Spring flowers under the trees

Six on Saturday – At this time of year it is the little things that matter ..