What's in a Name?

Many plants are named after loved ones or famous folk, some are named depending on the conditions they thrive well in, others by the colour of the flowers or foliage.   However there are yet more that are named according to the time of year they perform best.  I'm thinking Narcissus February Gold, which in my garden means March-April, the Christmas Cactus that is flowering again just now in March.  In particular I've been patiently waiting for my newest Rhododendron, Christmas Cheer to bloom all winter.  Today is 26th March. 

But isn't she worth the wait? What a shot of colour!

Talking of colour, All my narcissi cheap buys from last year are looking fabulous!

A Brief Respite

Before the next wave of winter arrives, I was able to take a wander around the garden to investigate what was new.  Whilst the light was not at its best, I am enjoying the lighter evenings.

Inside there are some new flower buds forming on the Christmas cactus.  

And the orchids are still flowering their socks off. 

It was Mother's day in the UK on Sunday and my wonderful sons bought me a Ceanothus "Italian Skies".  It did have to hide in the shed while the freezing temperatures hit to protect it, but once it's planted in the spring it should survive the average British winter.  

Hysteria from Siberia

The day the "Beast from the East" arrived, I heard a radio DJ whine that it wasn't all that bad. We had snow but nothing had settled...commentator's curse?

The following day (Wednesday) it snowed....and snowed....and snowed some more.  The schools were closed.  Buses were cancelled.  I managed to drive halfway up the main road to the village, but had to give up and walk the remaining distance home after work.

Thursday was a "snow day" as the main road was impassable so I spent the day with some movies and my stitching.  The only gardening to be done was clearing snow from paths, drives and evergreens.

And then the real Beast arrived in the form of icy winds.  Cutting through to the bone, the freezing temperatures continued whilst the UK came to a halt.

And now....the thaw.