The Garden of Bogturtle

Chimonanthus praecox, The Wintersweet, blooms at a back corner of the house, along with the Witch-Hazel, that is a later bloomer, called 'Arnold Promise'. That is a clear yellow, and where the unimpressive dark mahogany colored clone came from is a mystery. Often, because some sorts are prone to disease, a desired type, like Arnold Promise is grafted onto a more disease resistant rootstock.  And often that rootstock, unfortunately, sends out unwanted sprouts.   Just another photo of Arnold Promise,  showing why a dark background is advantageous in photography of these plants. Tsuga canadensis, I think, is the proper name of the dark evergreen. The Canada Hemlock.  In this photo the maroon centers show clearly among blooms of the Winter Sweet.  In full bloom, Prunus mume, or Japanese Apricot, variety 'Peggy Clarke',  is already scattering some petals on the pools edge.  Crocus thomasinianna, again, I think. Really just the spelling that may be inac...

  Prunus mume, the Japanese Apricot, has just a few flowers open, but will surely be in bloom in the next few weeks.  Every year I wait for this unique photo opportunity. No Sun, and that makes so much difference. But the blooming, despite the season and the snow, always impresses me. Hamamelis 'Rochester' again.  Hamamelis 'Robert'. As almost a tradition, I have used February to post the evergreens on the property.  Above is the Sedge 'Baby Blue'. Slowly increasing in the areas where it was planted. To the right is the leaves of a Lenten or Christmas Rose, Helleborus species. While we are close to the ocean, apparently islands actually between the bay and ocean are warmer. A Christmas Rose is already in bloom in the front garden of a restaurant in Ventnor, NJ.  Mine are not really even showing buds. This photo shows evergreen groundcovers, admittedly stressed by Winter. To the right is the dark purple Ajuga genevensis, to my knowledge. It will have the most com...