Spring sprang, then winter returned….

One_of_the_first_spring_flowers_'Chionadoxa
The blue star-shaped flowers of Chionadoxa. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

We had a lovely, blue-sky Easter weekend here in central Scotland; I was able to spend several hours working outside (without a coat!) and taking my images for this week’s post. However, come Easter Monday, the temperature dipped again,  it snowed, and just about everything I photographed disappeared under a layer of white slush.

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Chionadoxa in the snow. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
A_garden_fower-bed_brimming_with_bue_Chionadoxa
Spring flower bed. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I will never tire of these vibrant blue, star-shaped spring flowers. In the sun-light, they dazzle with vibrancy, and in the gloom, they take on an almost iridescent quality. They seem quite hardy and I can see that they haven’t been crushed by the weight of the snow.

Dog-tooth_violets_growing_amonst_the_stones_on_a_rockery_alonside_Chionadoxa

A_single_Chionadoxa_flower_stem_and_a_Dog-tooth_violet
Chionadoxa and a Dog-tooth violets. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

It’s been a marvellous year for crocus. I have never known so many come into flower. Apart from the ones I transplanted into a wooden barrel last year, there are small clumps all over the garden which seemed to  have appeared from nowhere. I think the Crocus fairies were busy planting when my back was turned.

Overhead_image_of_multi-coloured_crocus_in_full_bloom

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My barrel of mixed crocus, the white variety looked particularly stunning in the sunshine. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Shades of pink and purple Crocus planted by the fairies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Most of the spring flowers in my garden are shades of blue, yellow and white, but these tulips fellow are an exception. Always the first to flower, long before the rest of the tulips, and this year, ahead of the daffodils.

Before_and_after_Easter_early_dwarf_tulips
Early dwarf tulips. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

To round off my flowery post this week, I have a wonderful display of Hellebores again this year. They have been slow to open up, but are now in full bloom and glory. They are quite magnificent, and because they grow in the sheltered parts of the garden, they are not snow-bound 🙂 Have a good week.

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4 thoughts on “Spring sprang, then winter returned….

  1. Thank Goodness nature is resilient; I am confident your flowers will survive this (last?) bad snow spell. And the hellabore look so beautiful… As always, it has been a pleasure for me and my husband to be walking through your garden in central Scotland, Kathryn!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m pleased to report a full day of sunshine today. Most of the snow has gone. Everything has bounced back except the crocus, so not such the disaster I first thought. I am crossing my fingers that this is the last of the snow for a few months. Best wishes to you both. Kathryn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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