This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Sunday 6 February 2011

Snowdrop Study

Snowdrops are making a show... they're so beautiful & clean looking; they bring cheer to wet, windy days.

This is a little study of photos I've taken from around the garden...
Above:I don't remember snowdrops being at the base of this sycamore tree. Goes to show a little walk around the garden every now and again (even on cold, windy days) helps re-discover what's there.
The colours in this bark struck me... is this normal for Sycamore trees? So I googled it... the ETSU website (www.etsu.edu/arboretum/totw.html) says, "It's bark— a “camouflage” pattern of peeling patches, like tan, gray and brown puzzle pieces—eventually turns to a smooth white on the mature trunk and branches." My sycamore is really big, I thought it was mature, but maybe not. My nephew enjoys peeling the bark off when he's playing in the garden.

Left: Snowdrops I moved this year from a congested area in the garden and planted along the driveway. You might need glasses to be able to see the little single snowdrops scattered about. Suppose in a few years time they'll multiply and put on a good show.
A lone snowdrop amongst ivy.

Bad News on the Potato Front -  I'd used all my indoor stored potatoes so I went into the garage to get my last lot... and discovered they'd gone to mildewy mush. This happened to fellow blogger Linda in Scotland; a photo of 'taters-gone-bad' can be viewed from her 4 Feb post at: http://slowgrowinginscotland.blogspot.com/
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10 comments:

  1. Alison6 February 2011 at 09:43

    What lovely pictures, we have a few snowdrops braving the cold, wet and wind. They do bring a smile to me face every time I see them.

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  2. ~TastyTravels~6 February 2011 at 09:43

    Pretty snowdrops!

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  3. Mark Willis6 February 2011 at 10:26

    Snowdrops en masse are really impressive, but I love the first photo with the raindrop slipping down the flower - very artistic! Do the snowdrops spread rapidly of their own accord then?

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  4. Kelli6 February 2011 at 10:38

    I'd say snowdrops spread slowly over time but it's worth it. As they mature & multiply they look better & better. Over time, a bulb makes a clump of 10 or more baby bulbs that grow and that's when I think they look their best.

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  5. ann6 February 2011 at 16:45

    The Isle is greening nicely. cheers. ann

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  6. Jo7 February 2011 at 00:42

    I love snowdrops, not only are they so delicate and pretty but they also herald the arrival of spring, though I don't think that spring is here quite yet.

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  7. Karin / Southern Meadows7 February 2011 at 03:24

    Your snowdrops are beautiful. It is always so lovely to see the first blooms of the season. The bark on your Sycamore tree is very interesting. I think my boys would love it too because it looks like camouflage.

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  8. Pam's English Garden7 February 2011 at 09:15

    Dear Kelli, Your snowdrops are so lovely. I have none in my garden because the chipmunks took all of the bulbs, so I particularly enjoyed yours. Love the sycamore tree bark! Thank you for visiting my blog. P x

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  9. HolleyGarden7 February 2011 at 13:41

    Thanks for your comments on my blog. I was mesmerized by the bark on your sycamore tree. Very interesting. Now that your snowdrops have started blooming, perhaps spring will be here soon! (fingers crossed)

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  10. Egretta Wells blog7 February 2011 at 14:28

    Your snowdrops are so pretty--loved your photos of them. I wish we had them here! The bark is beautiful, too and I love the moss in your pictures.

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