The Last Day of Winter

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On the final day of winter, the contrast with last year couldn’t be more apparent. This year nothing is dead. Nothing at all.

Even the Echium Pininanas (pictured below), more than 100 of them, have survived the cold. This is the first time in 4 years that any Echiums have survived. And although we can’t relax our guard completely just yet, plants seem to be approaching the spring with confidence.

Cannas in the cold unheated greenhouse are beginning to shoot; Gunnera, likewise, outside. In the kitchen garden the chives, parsley, sorrel and rhubarb are showing strong signs of growth. And the first Camellia of spring (pictured above) has already produced lovely big healthy blooms.

Goodness knows what the year’s got in store, but it’s got off to a splendid start.