Early bulbs 2012

[ichristie]

 The snow has almost cleared and I have several groups of Iris Katherine Hodgekins showing flower, this is very early for us,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

[Tony Willis]

Very early for me

Sternbergia candida

[David Nicholson]

The snow has almost cleared and I have several groups of Iris Katherine Hodgekins showing flower, this is very early for us,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

Just the barest hint of a nose showing on mine.

[krisderaeymaeker]

Just the barest hint of a nose showing on mine.

That sounds reasonable David , here it's the same .   

[krisderaeymaeker]

Very early for me
Sternbergia candida

Very nice Tony , I wander what's he gonna do overhere ... I stil hope that he wil flower for the first time since I bought it three years ago ...

[Gerry Webster]

The snow has almost cleared and I have several groups of Iris Katherine Hodgekins showing flower, this is very early for us,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

In flower here too - just.

[alpinelover]

Here also some early flowers of Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'.

[Maggi Young]

While we are marvelling at the earlly appearance of so many flowers, I've just had this message about the availability of Summer flowering bulbs from Kevock Gardens....

We have been battered by gales over the last few weeks with enormous damage both in the garden and the nursery. However, among the debris of branches and leaves there are already Cyclamen coum in full glory and little Scilla and Eranthis showing colour. Bulbs have an amazing ability to defy the elements and bring delight and hope.

Last year we offered for the first time a small list of summer-flowering bulbs and other dormant plants, which can be ordered in the winter and planted in early spring. The response was so good that this year we have an extended list with many very unusual bulbs. It is on line at www.kevockgarden.co.uk – see the ‘News’ on the home page or go to ‘Bulbs’ in the main menu. Please order by February 13th; we hope to deliver during March.

We hope 2012 goes on in calmer way for us all and that it is a good year for you.

Best wishes

Stella and David and the team at Kevock.

[TC]

I have several lots of K.Hodgkin - some in the garden and some in pots in the greenhouse.  Surprisingly, they have flowered earlier in the garden than in pots.  Outside the first flowers opened on the 6th January and in the greenhouse more are appearing each day.
I planted 8 Lady Beatrice Stanley in August and they are now opening in pots.  When Dobbies marked them down to more than half price, I took a brain storm and planted 30 bulbs in a large ornamental bowl.  This was in early December and they are well up with flowering probably in the next 7 days. Most likely they will be finished before the Dunblane Bulb Show !!

[ArnoldT]

African but not South AFrican

Asphodelus acaulis

[ichristie]

Back to winter this weekend, the sky has been blue and some bright sunshine frozen solid all weekend I post a few pictures taken today

[alpinelover]

Some Iris ret. 'Purple Gem'.

[Maggi Young]

Some Iris ret. 'Purple Gem'.

Well! This is nice.... but really does not look like a January garden   2012 will be quite a year to remember, I think.

[alpinelover]

And also Iris 'George' .

[alpinelover]

Some Iris ret. 'Purple Gem'.

Well! This is nice.... but really does not look like a January garden   2012 will be quite a year to remember, I think.

You're right, Maggi, normally they bloom here in the end of February. It's allready springtime here in Vlaanderen.