Forced bulbs

I came home with some beautiful flowers and a pot filled with Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Arctic Bells’ from a photo shoot last week. Part of that shoot reminded me of a garden book (and I cannot remember now which one it was) where there was an image of a room filled with pots that were filled with forced bulbs. Somehow that photo mesmerized me and that image stayed with me. During that shoot last week, I was able to take photographs carrying that very similar feeling and that made me think oh my, this is like a dream.

So today I turned our dining room into a mini studio and had a little play with these flowers. The dining room is the only place in the house where I’m happiest with the light (at the moment as I know it can change any time) and that light looks like this..

Early Spring flowers

So I had this beautiful pot filled with these pettitcoat daffodils. I only took them out of the pot for a little flat lay but now they’re all safely back in the pot. But I do love seeing bulbs in their full beauty, the roots, the bulb and the flowers. I absolutely love this connection.

Narcissus bulbocodium 'Arctic Bells‘

I rarely force bulbs myself but I do buy bulbs early January (planted by garden nurseries). As soon as I get home with them, I remove them from their plastic containers and plant them into terracotta pots. The ‘Arctic Bells’ below were gifts from two wonderful persons I had shoots with last week.

Narcissi, muscari, snowdrops

I keep them in the conservatory which is the coldest place at the moment and slowly bring them in throughout February. To brighten up the days that are already growing longer. This is the month the sun starts to shine through the neighbour’s cherry tree and into our kitchen in sunny mornings too. Very prescious moments.

Paperwhite narcissus

Snowdrops and narcissus

It’s hard to believe it’s still early February and there are already so many beautiful flowers around. All of these are also British grown, the cut narcissi all from Cornwall.

Swyncombe

Swyncombe to me is the most peaceful place around us. Whenever I want to be somewhere quiet, I take a short drive to Swyncombe. But I also go there every early Spring when the snowdrops appear and cover the churchyard with their tiny white bells. The snowdrops are returning soon so if you’re planning a visit, keep an eye on the church’s website for the best times to go. Here’s what you’ll find ..

Christmas Day Walk

And after our champagne breakfast, it was time for a walk. We didn’t go too far, only our neighbouring village. The park, of the big house, has lots of beautiful Lebanon cedars and its lake has swans and if you’re lucky you can see a kingfisher too. And if you’re even luckier, you’ll find snowdrops in the churchyards on Christmas Day. Happy Christmas!

Chelsea Phsyic Garden

I only had a few minutes to look around the gardens before I had a meeting there last Friday. Almost missed the last of the snowdrops but caught the first blossoms. Beautifully hidden behind its walls in Chelsea, this garden is a little piece of heaven in London.