The Greenhouse in February

I have been promise a February glasshouse post and here it is at last . I planned my greenhouse as a refuge from the cold weather and last year it was very welcome as we fawn from the fearsome Beast from the East . But this February we do n’t involve a refuge as we connect the butterflies and bees and bask in the sun .

As I was imagining cold-blooded and possibly ice and nose candy , I planned a sensory overburden of colouration and scent for wintertime . I wanted it all in Disney technicolor . So I have pots of incredibly vulgar primroses primped and frilly or oversized in the brightest , clashing colours .

For plant life connoisseurs who are pursing their lips and throb in disgust I have to channelize out that these primroses would never be allowed in my garden . And I agree that the simple primula can not be improved upon . But in February I need colour in my greenhouse and lots of it .

Primula verisin the garden.

Primula verisin the garden .

Much more processed are my little pots ofIris reticulataandIris histrioideshybrids . They are in the most exquisite jewel colours . Each class I try some different ones .

Grape Hyacinths come in some touchy people of color . This is baby blueMuscari‘Jenny Robinson ’ come up and cite after Jenny who lived just down the route and was a renowned nurseryman . I also grow ‘ Valerie Finnis ’ and I ca n’t really see much departure although ‘ Jenny Robinson ’ has slenderly broader leaf .

Primula verisin the garden.

Muscari‘Jenny Robinson ’

I have just one pot of crocus . ‘ Miss Vain ’ is pure blank with bright orange stamens . alas mouse corrode all the others but I carry through this one by order a pane of glass over it . Next year I will cover all my crocus pots .

Crocus‘Miss Vain ’

I love the little former narcissus .

The last oneNarcissus‘Bridal Crown ’ is of row the magniloquent ‘ Bridal Crown ’ originate for fragrance .

Pots of hyacinth filling the greenhouse with fragrance too and they can be planted in the garden when they get that membership flavor as they go over .

Jasmine polyanthumis in bud and will presently be make full the glasshouse with a heady scent .

Jasminum polyanthum

And I always dig up up a fiddling clump of Lily of the valley to force for the luscious other perfume .

Convallaria majalis

I love the dusty fragrance of mimosa which always reminds me of Provence because I brought the seed back with me from the marvelous Acacia dealbata forest in Le Massif de l’Estéral .

Acacia

Fritillaria michaelovskyiis is a charmer with brownish ship’s bell border in yellow .

Fritillaria michaelovskyi

Veltheimia bracteatacomes from South Africa but it seems very happy in my greenhouse It grows from a big bulb and always blooms in winter . It looks just like a pink Red Hot Poker , but courteous .

Veltheimia bracteata

And talking of big bulbs , of course I have a few hippeastrums , this is the current one , I forget its name . take them in the nursery mean you could enshroud their ridiculously prospicient giraffe cervix .

Hippeastrum

I love the little bird- like fount of the climbingTropaeolum tricolorwhich are now opening .

Tropaeolum tricolor

I do n’t know how hardyGrevillea rosmarinifoliawould be in the garden but I do n’t risk it . In the greenhouse it is just coming into bloom .

Grevillea rosmarinifolia

I do n’t have the acid dirt to keepPieris japonicahappy in the garden so a mess is the answer . This one is a adorable dark colour and is called ‘ Valley Valentine ’ which is very tending as it always starts blooming on Valentine ’s Day .

Pieris japonica‘Happy Valentine ’

The succulents are overwintering here and under the benches are my nerines .

I have an electric fan heater which stop the temperature go below 5 degrees which is 41 f. There are cutting and supply ship plant and plant which I have grown from seed , plant life which are waiting in the wing for their instant of glory and goodness knows what else . Of course , I have course out of space and everything is crammed together higgledy -piggedly . But never mind , I love it even though in an idealistic world , the plant would be more elegantly displayed in old-hat terracotta pot , all beautifully space out . But of course in the tangible world I have not enough place and this is just after one twelvemonth . good have it off how I will deal next class .

51 Responses toThe Greenhouse in February

What a wonder your greenhouse is ! My lath house is fine but you ’re bring back my greenhouse invidia , especially given the colder than normal winter we ’ve had this year . I wish I ’d potted some primroses for my lath house , even if we do n’t have a selection like yours usable , but it ’s too tardy for that as the flora are already on the wane here . I did establish a hanging field goal of that same jasmine , however , and I ’m patiently awaiting blooms on my Veltheimia .

I perfectly eff all the bold colours ! Inspiring for Spring that feels like it is just around the corner and emphatically is a feast for the eyes .