Difficult to feel that there is an abundance of choice for this week’s Six on Saturday with the ground frozen, plants stopped in their tracks and newly emerging seeds looking regretful. Here in this garden a new bout of Winter isn’t welcome. The snowdrops are almost past their best; some of the hellebores are looking strained and much of the garden is pretty desolate. Nevertheless, I am determined not to miss a Six two Saturdays in a row – so here goes (with thanks to The Propagator).
Number 1 is Puschkinia , a new bulb for this year. Wasn’t sure I was going to like it in its emerging stage when the flowers looked as if they were going to be too squat, but today in sun and cold it has grown into itself and looks satisfyingly fresh and starry, though it still has some growing to go.
Not fully out, but already very pretty
Number 2 is the stalwart vinca which just pops up her and there along the back fence; today it has a couple of new blue flowers to look at the sun.
Next, protected in the greenhouse from last night’s freeze, are the newly emerging tips of my Havel peas, bought from Real Seeds and destined for the allotment. Am hoping to get organised enough to get a continuous supply of peas this summer – Oskar is next for sowing. It is almost certain that all of them will be eaten fresh from the pod and not make the pot.
Fourth is the plant which has given me the most joy this Winter – the winter flowering honeysuckle. It certainly doesn’t look showstopping, but its scent stops me in my tracks almost every day. The bees luxuriate in it too.
Fifth might have appeared before so apologies, but am surprised, considering their neglect, to have so many small penstemon plants growing healthily from cuttings. This one is Alice Hindley.
Last is the reappearing tarragon. Shoved in the greenhouse over winter it is coming back tender and green.
So that was my six and once I started looking of course there was a lot more going on than I thought.
thedevelopingplot 
Lovely Puschkinia flowers that I didn’t know either! I saw that your peas are on a good way in your greenhouse like tarragon( mine seems to be dead…) . I’m waiting for the end of the cold wave that just arrived before sowing my peas outside!
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Will wait awhile before putting pea seedlings out. It is going to be really cold here too next week – down to -6 predicted. Keep warm!
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All the same here … maybe -7° -8° . Brr…
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Those puschkina look fab! Not heard of those before. I haven’t sown my peas yet. May do this weekend…
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Maybe a bit early and I am squeezed for space, but wnt them as early as possible!
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Your Puschkinia is very pretty. I planted a winter honeysuckle in our old garden and am missing it. Am thinking of planting Vinca and weighing up those lovely blue flowers over whether it will take over.
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I should mind plants that take over a bit more, but I am an untidy gardener and I enjoy the profusion.
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I did peas in pots and direct sown last year, not much difference. I don’t do succession with peas, just pick and freeze. I intend for the mice to have less this year, not the sown seeds, they picked the pods!
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Oh no! I thought they would be safe once germinated.
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Immediately asked the cooks in my house if we ever use tarragon & they don’t. What type recipes do you use it for? Lovely plant.
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Goes well with chicken especially in creamy white wine sauce. Also with fish. Bearnaise sauce too.
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I see now why they don’t use it. We’re not much into white sauces. Think I might give it a go, then waft it under their noses, see if one of them can come up a nice chicken or fish idea.
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Puschkinia? I am not familiar with it.
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Nor me until last Autumn.Looking pretty now in sunshine.
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