Chaenomelis x  Superba Crimson and Gold. I spotted this one below in a neighbours garden. Glad I am getting into the habit of having my camera in my pocket.

 Flowering on the 19th of February, which is several weeks ahead of our plant in Aberdeen which was in the raised border in the patio.

I just love this plant and look forward to the late Winter, early Spring flowers, deep red with golden yellow anthers produced in abundance every year.

Planted against a wall and given plenty room for development of the seven foot long stems, you will be delighted with the result. unfortunately, as was often the case, the one in our garden was rather restricted, but still performed quite well.

Blooms so brightly coloured on otherwise bare stems are sure to catch the eye of passers by who may be surprised at such an unexpected sight in late February, in fact some may be tempted to sneak up your front path for a closer look.

Although the first blooms may appear in February, the full flush will come  March/April especially for those in the Aberdeen area.

Crimson and Gold is often described as a compact variety which is very hardy and after the flowers go over you will often be rewarded with a crop of fragrant fruits (Quince), tucked in amongst the glossy dark green leaves, are they edible when cooked?  to be quite honest, I haven’t a clue.

Hardiness – Fully hardy

Height – 100cm  Width – 200cm

Position – Does best of all in full sun in Aberdeen

***  Chaenomelis *****

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February has gone and early Spring rekindles interest in the garden.  Come to think of it February had days that when the sun broke through, it felt positively Spring like, well that is, in our front garden which is south facing. Head round back to the north facing garden and you will find it not quite so cheery, however by lunchtime the sun is now starting to creep in even in the back.

It will probably be late  Summer before we get a chance to get stuck into the back garden, however we are all ready to make some changes to the front.

Quite a strange set up at the moment, the narrow front lawn extends right across to the house opposite with no dividing line marking which is ours and which is the neighbours.

I have now cut out a couple of new borders and placed a pedestal and planter right in the centre of the new dividing border, this had pride and place in our Aberdeen garden.  We haven’t as yet decided what we will plant in these new borders.

There is quite a large number of perennial plants in the front and back gardens, I will pot up many of them from the back as there is likely to be considerable destruction once the builders get going.

Below is some pictures of what was in flower on the 21st of February.

First of all a couple of pictures of the front giving an idea of what I was up to today.

 

Crocus are dotted all around the garden,its good to see, we had no idea which bulbs would be popping through in early Spring.

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We would normally chuck out these bedding type Primulas, however if you feel you have the room to leave them be, they can work a treat.

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Most of the Daffodils are well budded, pretty sure this first one to bloom is Tete e Tete. Pulmonaria also just starting to flower in the back garden.

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Plenty big clumps of Snowdrops, Myra was just lifting some and planting them around the unidentified tree in the front garden. Primula Vulgaris just started to bloom.

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Bergenia also putting in an appearance alongside this variegated Vinca which has buds about to open. Several actually opened up in January.  This Vinca is behaving strangely, not hugging the ground but growing upright about three ft tall.

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