Last year we were in the grips of winter with freezing cold temperatures while this year we’ve had days when the temperatures have reached double figures. This means that I now have Cyclamen, Sarcococca, Lenten Roses and winter heather almost ready to open their buds.
Primula Gigha
I acquired this ‘passalong’ through another gardener at one of the monthly Scottish Rock Garden Association meetings as it’s not a plant that’s readily available commercially. It’s supposed to have originated further west on one of the Scottish Hebridic islands – the Isle of Gigha.
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| Isle of Gigha shown under the red dot A |
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| Isle of Gigha |
It starts to flower in early winter with pure white blooms through to spring and then intermittently throughout the rest of the year.
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| a macro of Primula Gigha |
As long as I don’t grow other types of primula nearby this should freely seed true to type.
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| Primula Gigha showing the underside of leaves |
Hamamelis Jelena
Last month I mentioned that the first of the first of the Witch-hazels Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ was starting to unfurl. A month later and the bare branches are now full of little ‘streamer like’ flowers. Last December the flowers were not out as far as this for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
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| Streamer-like flowers |
A View from Above
Finally here’s a glimpse of part of the garden from above. There are still plenty of seed heads in the garden and when the sun shines these take on a new dimension when viewed up close. You can see what I’m referring to in my previous December post – Fading Beauty.
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| A section of the leavesnbloom garden on early on 14th December 2013 |
There’s not much else in flower at the moment so thanks for stopping by today.
HELENE
Thanks for the info about primula gigha, I haven’t heard about them before, I have lots of Primula vulgaris in my garden and interestingly, despite our very warm June and July, they didn’t stop flowering, they have all been flowering since September 2012 – 16 months non-stop! Besides primroses I have lots of other plants still in flower, and the spring flowers are already emerging so no flowering break here.
Happy GBBD!
Bob Danley
+Rosie Nixon Enjoyed reading about your very nice garden; it's fun isn't it? I do something similar…less formal. My short blog post (http://bit.ly/1j83j49) has the details. Keep up your wonderful botanical efforts 🙂
Carol
I love that little primula. They don't generally do well where I am but I am tempted to try a few in the spring.
Rose
How nice to have this sweet little bloom through the winter! I love all the blue accents in your garden, Rosie–my favorite color. My garden is under a foot of snow, so nothing is blooming here, though I'll probably scramble something together for a Bloom Day post later in the day.
Lea
Very pretty Primula!
Interesting to see the map, too.
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening
I enjoyed your story on Primula Gigha and your Witch Hazel blooms are a nice sight at this time of year. Happy Bloom Day!
Janie Jurkiewicz
Great photography & flowers….Happy Gbbd!
Ms. Wis./Each Little World
Cold and snow covered here but some geraniums, rosemary and orchids indoors.
Mark and Gaz
Having swathes of that primula would be a wonderful thing to have in the garden for cheerful winter interest.
rusty duck
That is a gorgeous primula Rosie. I love the simplicity and purity of it.
hoehoegrow
A lovely little primula, new to me! Still some colour in your garden, it is getting harder and harder to find in mine and we are well south of yours.
Anna
The last months of the year have definitely been warmer this year Rosie. I wonder when and if snow will appear on the scene. I enjoyed the story of primula Gigha and the way she passed into your hands. One of the best things about gardening is sharing your treasures. The island looks a most beautiful place.
Janet/Plantaliscious
A lovely primula with a lovely story attached, hard to beat really. I have brightly coloured inherited primulas blooming in odd corners, I am torn between appreciating the bright splashes of colour on dark grey days like today and wishing they were the pale lemon yellow of the native primrose!
Millymollymandy
Your garden looks so tidy and I love that blue colour – I have many pots that colour too. They really brighten up your December garden! Envious of your witch hazel and the primula looks lovely. 🙂
James Missier
Its great to know that there are still flowers blooming even during the coldest days in your garden.
That is truly remarkable and wonderful.
Do you not plant holly, mistletoe and all those wonderful berry plants that does well during winter times?
I would like to wish you a lovely, Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year 2014!
Hope all is joyfully cherished and enjoyed during this festive season.