This is a whirlwind Six before setting off on a trip. Mild and damp outside, it couldn’t be more different from last Saturday’s white out. The elastic resilience of plants has amazed me. Last week bent down with heavy snow, there seemed to be no hope for the hellebores or daffodils, but they have popped right back up. Apart from sowing some seeds hopefully in the greenhouse and pricking out, there wasn’t any real gardening to be done last week, so damagingly for my bank account, I had too much time to buy plants and seeds. And, excitingly, they have arrived already.

So first up is the lovely, double primula, Dawn Ansell. Not something I would have liked a few years ago, but now have a dangerously soft spot for pretty plants like this,(though the common primrose which spreads around the garden is still the favourite). Am hoping this purchase will be the mother plant for lots of offspring over the years. Or is that just an excuse?

Next are the slightly ragged auriculas which were given shelter in the greenhouse and are producing buds despite looking a little off colour. This is another plant I have changed my mind about.

Third are the sweetpeas plants which are pretty much everywhere there is a flat space. Pricking them out is a constant of my week and there are still lots to go. In the time of snow, when I wasn’t thinking as straight as I should, even ordered more seed. Like the tomatoes and chillies, they are mounting a takeover. White Mrs Collier and Royal Wedding along with brights like Barry Dare and Blue Velvet are looking  perky despite being kept outside now to toughen up.

In the corner of the garden, the quince is almost glowing and promises to soon unwrap its beautiful and very slightly blowsy blooms. It has never produced fruit, despite us having it for ages whereas my allotment quince was laden after two years. It doesn’t really matter, as the blossom is worth it on its own.

Fifth is the resilient achillea Cerise Queen which was neglected on the potting bench outside to cope with everything Winter had in its arsenal and has survived it all looking green and healthy.

Last of all are the muscari armeniacum bulbs which seemed to coming up blind, but there they are are showing hopeful tiny buds. And that seems to suit today.

There may be persistent rain to come here over the next week, but the warmth this morning and the length of the light, are definite signs that we are moving away from winter.

Please take a look at the The Propagator for a growing number of excellent Sixes.