What's in bloom in February?

Are you wondering what's in bloom in this Perthshire winter garden? I always look forward to February as it's the month of anticipation in the gardening calendar.  Buds are appearing on the bare branches while tiny shoots are breaking through the soil that is when they don't have a layer of snow on top. It's exciting watching the garden come to life again!  


I'm pretty sure that down below the first few inches of soil and snow there's lots of activity going on but above ground very little seems to have changed since I wrote What's in bloom in January.  .....................Maybe I'm being just a little bit impatient! 


The winter of 2011/12  was an exceptionally mild winter while the winter of 2012/13 has been more 'the colder norm'.   Flowers like the crocus that featured in What's in bloom in February 2012 are going to bloom much later this year.

Here's what's in bloom in February in my garden.  All of the photographs with the exception of 1 were taken on 14th February at various times of the day while the snow slowly melted.  As usual all are annotated with their Scottish hardiness ratings.

The Hellebore February Blooms:

Helleborus orientalis 'Picotee'

Helleborus hybridus | Lenten rose

Helleborus hybridus | Lenten rose

The Witch hazel February blooms:

Many of you who visit here will already know that the witch hazels are in full flower as I've shared quite a few blog posts recently on the subject.  Do you desire an irresistible winter garden? and Want to go on a Witch Hunt?

They are magnificent shrubs for giving winter interest and colour throughout  the gloomiest of days.  For those of you who enjoyed my previous photographs here are a few more........

Witch hazel Hammelis  x intermedia 'Orange Beauty'

Witch hazel Hammelis  x intermedia 'Diane'

Witch hazel Hammelis  x intermedia 'Jelena'

Witch hazel Hammelis  x intermedia 'Pallida'

Other February blooms:

The perennial wallflowers Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' haven't stopped flowering since I bought them back in the summer time.  I've had these plants growing in my garden for years but they are short lived and every few years I need to replace a few.  This plant has flowered throughout the winter and is sending out fresh budded growth.

Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve'

The snowdrops just need a little more heat and sunshine before they open those buds.

Galanthus nivalis

Pulmonaria rubra

This is always the first pulmonaria to bloom in the garden and it first started to bloom back in December.

Cyclamen coum

Only a few of the cyclamen flowers managed to poke above the snow.

The pink winter flowering Erica carnea heathers are starting to bloom though I took this photograph last Sunday, 9th February before the snow arrived.  Scotland and heathers are synonymous as our climate and soil suit them so well. They are best planted in a southerly position as their foliage colours up so much better from that side.  If you've never seen the photos of the wild Scottish heather in the Cairngorm mountains then check out The Carpet of the Highlands post.

Erica carnea

It won't be long before more of the primroses are in flower and the Daphne has lots of dark purple buds ready to open.  But winter interest doesn't always have to be just about flowers! Don't miss my next blog post as I'll be sharing the plants that give late winter interest in my Perthshire garden. 

What's in bloom in your February garden today?

Thanks for stopping by today for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and I would love to hear from you.  Please feel free to leave any questions or feedback in the comments section.  

Interested in this topic?  You might enjoy another article called:

• Is Spring coming earlier :Phelology

Rosie is a passionate wildlife gardener, perthshire photographer and writer. She enjoys soaking up nature in her own garden and is easily distracted from doing the weeding by anything that buzzes, creeps, crawls or flutters. Connect with her on Google Plus  and Facebook. © 2009- 2013 Leavesnbloom ~ All Rights Reserved.

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