The spring plants are slowly appearing....

The beginning of February is the start of spring. Even thought this winter has been an extension to autumn because only a couple of days have got really cold. So the spring flowering bulbs are ahead of themselves, usually you would only be able to see small green shoots emerging out of the top of the soil, but this year some are flowering already.

Here are some that are loving the winter heat:

Tulipa hagerei  'Little Beauty' 

Iris recticulata  'Jimmy'

Fritillaria uva-vulpis


Iris recticulata 'Cantab'

Friillaria elwesii

Bottom up Habranthus martinezii, Habranthus tubispanthus and Habranthus gracilifolius 

The Habranthus flower in summer and are evergreen, except H. tubispanthus which you can just see the leaves going yellow on it.

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SRGC Seed Exchange 

For the second year I took part in the SRGC Seed Ex. It was very good. I received most of my first choices apart form two. And most of the second choices apart form five. I am of course overjoyed with what I received. And yes, I did get the Fritillaria and Trillium. Since last time I have done some research into how to grow them. If it is a Mediterranean species you sow it October-December. For the others you sow in August. This is done so the seeds can germinate at the same time as when the rest of the species will flower, that is the theory anyway. I just hope they do grow. I also got Primulas, A Lilly, A Nomocharis and Hippeastrum papilio. The Trilliums have been sown alongside the Primula. The general advice was to sow now to germinate in spring. (I think)

If you ever do a seed exchange, remember to take a note of what you requested and what number it has. The names of species don't come written on them, that was me. You receive them as a packet of seed with it number in the top right.

This is the greenhouse now I have sown the Primula and a couple of others. It is very packed and will be moved under the bench in the shade in summer to make way for some annual summer bedding.

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Things that are flowering now.

Iris recticulata 'Blue Note' 

Iris recticulata 'Eye Catcher'

Only two plants (Above) are work taking pictures of, as the days go by stuff will grow.