Surprise as I wasn't expecting to find anything much to go in my vase. Instead I was able to pick a cheerful posy which promises that spring might be coming.
I knew the Tete-a-Tete narcissus were flowering and the hellebores have revived after their covering of snow.
In remember this one being particularly pretty last year and it has thrown up more flowers this year so hopefully it is settling in.
Mahonia flowers add some scent and pulmonaria some lovely blue and pink. They too suffered but are rallying.
Many of the evergreen shrubs are looking worse for wear but this reliable Ceanothus was able to provide some green foliage.
I'm joining in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and her inventive band of followers who always have something creative to show In a Vase on Monday.
I have the luxury of time for posting this morning rather than rushing off to work. MrC and I have the week off so there is no excuse for not having the garden whipped into shape by next weekend. The list of jobs is long so we will see how that goes.
I've managed to make a big vase and that makes me happy.
I collected some Hellebores and then some twigs to add some height.
I pushed in behind our oil tank to cut this Helleborus foetidus and then looked around to see what else could go in.
Just next to it is a Leycesteria which needs a prune so that was a good reason to cut some green stems. The last week I pruned a Cornus. It has very dark red stems and, though not very big yet, I know it will benefit from a hard cut. So I dived in and did it and the red stems are here.
Oh yes, there is some Bay too.
The I added this white and green hellebore. It would not win prizes as the colouring is not good but it has been flowering now for weeks and I am quite happy to have it in the garden and in a vase. I did sear the stems in boiling water to see if they will last a little longer.
See what you can find to share in a vase an join in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.
Flowering on Christmas Day in spite of heavy frosts and a little bit of snow a few weeks ago. Plants are amazing and that is why we love them.
All of these were growing outside apart from this little collection:
My final treasure - the first Hellebore:
Take heart - spring is just around the corner.
Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for sharing, visiting and commenting throughout the year and thanks, as always, to Cathy for hosting - In a vase on Monday
x
