In a Vase on Monday: Nearly there….

We had a few mild days over the weekend, with temperatures reaching double figures! Is this a teaser, or has spring really arrived? …. Well, the garden still has little to offer, but there are signs of life – some green shoots (Iris reticulata?), two crocuses, some Cyclamen and a couple of very tatty primroses. So this week I will be checking regularly and no doubt squealing with delight at each emerging shoot!

I have resorted to pickings from pots for the time being, both indoors and out, to create a vase for today – joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for her Monday meme.

The Hellebore is from the pot I brought indoors in January to defrost. The plant is looking much better and has gone back outside, but no new flowers have appeared yet. This is one of the older flowers that was frozen and defrosted dozens of times this winter!

The Narcissus is from an indoor pot of ‘Jetfire’, one that I had grown in the garden in the past before Tête à Tête became so popular. On the right, Leucothoe ‘Little Flames’ is living up to its name. It is perfectly happy outdoors in a container all winter and never seems to change colour at all.

The tiny pink Primula is one of the last on a plant bought for my windowsill in January. And the golden dried head of Hydrangea ‘Magical Vesuvio’ has just been snipped from the garden along with some silver curry plant in the herb bed, Helichrysum italicum. (Has anyone ever used it in cooking?) (And when should I deadhead the Hydrangea paniculata? )

I wonder if you are also seeing signs of spring?

Many thanks to Cathy for hosting. Have a great week,

and

Happy Gardening!