Wordless Wednesday ~ Galanthus plicatus 'Amy Doncaster'

In A Vase On Monday ~ Sweet Harmony

The search was on for another vase to put this week's 'In A Vase On Monday' in. It's a small white milk jug sprigged with a pattern of green flowers but it decided to hide itself so well that I couldn't find it. I think that it might have displayed this week's contents better than the dark blue little jug does but it was not to be.

There was a definite hint of spring in the air this weekend especially on Saturday when the sun made an appearance and it was a joy to be outside. It might have been a brief taste of what is still to come as we are heading for another cold spell but it was most welcome.

In my heading towards spring but not quite there yet vase this week are :

• Iris reticulata 'Harmony' - early flowering and exquisitely marked.
• Some snowdrops - not any of my specials this week but still every bit as special.
• Cardamine quinquefolia - this is an early flowering woodland spring perennial which is easy, hardy and soon clumps up. It is an excellent companion for hellebores, especially the darker flowered ones, as well as for snowdrops and pulmonarias. The plant does a complete disappearing act in the summer.
• A couple of 'Tête-à-tête' daffodils. Those in the ground have still to flower. These heads came from one of those cheap supermarket pots of little daffies. I probably bought it either last year or the year before. Whatever its vintage it has overwintered in a little pot tucked close up to the house walls. These pots always amaze me as the bulbs just sit on top of the compost and have no warm blanket of compost covering them. Obviously they don't read the books as they still go ahead and flower.

I see that our hostess Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' has also included irises in her tea party vase this week. If you've not already had a peek please do so.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Against The Odds

In A Vase On Monday ~ If Today Had Been Yesterday

If today had been yesterday there would not have been an 'In A Vase On Monday' offering here. Fortunately Sundays's frequent showers of blustery sleet, snow and nasty hard pellety white polystyrene balls have given way to a much brighter, calmer day although it's definitely still on the cool side out there.

I resisted the urge to snip any snowdrops today although I have to confess to being sorely tempted. In my vase (a milk jug in a former life) are some hellebore flowers, winter flowering heather, viburnum tinus 'Lisa Rose' and foliage in the shape of lonicera nitida. The hellebore is one of those happy accidents that happen when a seedling appears in a most unlikely spot. I debated whether to remove it when it first made its presence known but it was left in place where it continues to grow against the odds. I have just noticed when bringing my nose near to the vase that the viburnum is most gently but pleasantly scented.

Many thanks to our hostess Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' who hosts a quite fabulous gathering of vases from far and wide each Monday.