Kingston Lacy, too early for snowdrops

[puddleshark]

I went to Kingston Lacy on my day off, to see the snowdrops. But it has not been a mild winter, and the snowdrops have decided they will wait until February this year.



The car park was a little flooded at one end, and the paths were a little icy in places, but even on a cold January morning the gardens at Kingston Lacy were busy with visitors.

Past the house...




Past the urn with the Bored Cherubs...


I keep expecting to catch one having a crafty cigarette. (I always feel like I should sneak them a book, or some knitting, or something - anything to relieve the eternity of tedium...)


A sharp cold wind blowing across the park. Time to duck into the shelter of the walled Fernery, where the first snowdrops are appearing:









I think it will be another few weeks before the snowdrops are at their best.


From the Fernery, into the woods, where there are many great specimen trees, most of which I can't identify:


Maybe Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)?




Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica Glauca), I think, from the arrangement of needles.


Witch Hazel, in yellow, orange and red varieties.






Tilia cordata 'Winter Orange'.



Mystery plant!

Comments

[kaishin108]

Gorgeous photos! (Once again.)

We have Crocus but not Snowdrops here, in the city at least.
I was just reading up on them. What beautiful flowers and I read that they are safer with varmints than the Crocus. It is snowing right now but soon I will go out in the front and see if we have any Crocus coming up! :)

[puddleshark]

Thanks!

I haven't seen any crocuses here yet. I think they might be a bit late this year - if they'd popped up this month the rain and gales would have flattened them.