Looks like it's all over. Rain and warmer temperatures are forecast but, for now, sunshine ... and more promised for tomorrow midday in the South. It's still very chilly but most of the snow has thawed or been washed away by last night's rain - I'll be venturing out into the veg patch today to see how solid the ground is.
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Golden Willow at Capel Manor lake yesterday. |
Yesterday, up at Capel Manor, there was snow on the ground and the lake was still partly frozen - the fountain had prevented freezing at one end while there was thick ice at the other. Although the class rushed quickly, shuddering with cold, to complete the plant ident walk, I went back with my camera in the lunch break. (Thick gloves and a down-filled coat kept me warm.) After weeks of white and grey, yesterday's plant walk was a treat, providing several moments of pure and unexpected colour.
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Witch Hazel and Dogwood (Hamamelis mollis and Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Beauty') |
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Japanese quince (Chaenomeles x superba). |
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Colourful Dogwood stems (Cornus alba 'Sibirica' and C. sanguinea 'Midwinter Beauty' behind) |
The Japanese quince
(Chaenomeles) is an interesting shrub - an untidy twiggy dome, covered with beautiful red flowers in winter, but the fruit rotting on the ground underneath shows that it can be productive in the summer. The fruit can be used to make quince jelly, but, as with the quince tree (
Cydonia oblonga), it's not good eaten raw. Useful if you want to brighten your garden in winter with a smallish edible shrub - it likes sun or part shade - but beware the spiny stems!
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The Lenten Rose - Hellebore x hybrida. Here growing alongside purple heathers and snowdrops. |