When I was writing last weekend’s rhyming Six on Saturday I was blissfully unaware there was yet another storm on the way. Soggier than Eunice, Franklin seemed just as wild at times. Thankfully, we got off lightly here. Apart from a large branch that was snapped off the Coronilla out the front, no further damage was done.
One week later (it’s early Friday evening as I write this) and the sky is blue, the sun is shining and all is still and calm, well, apart from the neighbour bashing away at one of the fallen fence panels. The aphids have staged another comeback on the Sambucus nigra ‘Golden Tower’ (they’ve been squished… again), birds seem singier and a newt was spotted in the pond the other evening. It all feels rather springlike. True, I said something similar a few weeks back before things turned nasty. But come Tuesday meteorological spring will have sprung and this gardener will have to get his act together and start thinking about chopping back this and that and sowing a few packets of seed. In the meantime I’m just enjoying the new flowers that are appearing each day.
1. And we start with Iris reticulata ‘J.S. Dijt,’ a recent acquisition from the Country Market shop in town where a selection of locally grown plants and home baked cakes (as well as crafts and other handmade goodies) are temptingly displayed in the windows. The weak-willed cake-loving gardener doesn’t stand a chance when entering this shop.
2. A Primula vulgaris on the shady side of the garden appears to have exploded into flower. Ker-bloom.
3. Back to the mini Iris, this is another one from the Wilko mixed pack which, alas, doesn’t provide any clues regarding the varieties it contained.
4. Now this is a bit of a mystery. Not quite a regular Primrose but not quite an Oxlip either.
5. Next up, a Hyacinth. I have a feeling this may be ‘Woodstock.’
6. And finally… Remember the succulent that featured back in January (mistakenly thought to be a Sempervivum until a few knowledgeable SoSers identified as an Echeveria)? Well, here it is now… and there’s another spike of flowers forming.
They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Hi Graeme, your close-up of the Iris petals is really very successful.
Will your echeveria die after flowering? Do you have another young replacement?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, apparently it will live which is a relief. It also means I’ll need to get it a bigger pot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will be relieved that unlike sempervivums the echeveria will continue to grow, and propagation too is easy. Beware the buy of propagation. What pretty Iris, I like the paler blue one from the great little store that is too far away from me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’m going to have to repot the echeveria soon as it’s getting too big for the tiny pot it came in. That’ll require more compost – I may have to dabble with a bit of propagation…
LikeLike
Lovely iris – they are such a heart-gladdener at this time of year. Glad you and the garden survived all the storms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was a bit wild but other than the fences we got quite lightly here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love these little irises your unnamed one is ‘ Clairette’, such a beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for identifying the iris.
LikeLike
Such pretty Iris, let’s hope Spring bursts forth now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your Principal explosion!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Who doesn’t need a primrose explosion! I have a single yellow crocus and a fresh foot of snow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
More snow? Blimey!
LikeLike
Primula vulgaris are lovely and yours looks unnibbled too! I need to buy some this year to replace the gaudy primula that are now on their way out. And I am glad Chloris named your very beautiful blue iris. That’s quite something.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve just been looking up ‘Clairette.’ No yellow varieties yet as shown on the pack but it’s been a good selection so far – although quite a few have been nibbled!
LikeLike
The blue iris is indeed gorgeous, Clairette is going on my list for next year! Nice to have spotted the first newt too, everything is waking up now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is. There’s still no sign of the frogs though and looking through a few old photos the first batch of frogspawn had appeared this time last year.
LikeLike
Incredible photographs this week. The markings on the iris petals are very exotic looking close up. The primula is indeed exploding with blooms. I am impressed by your success with the echeveria and look forward to future photos of this flower stalk as the buds begin to open.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Luckily the echeveria seems to look after itself for the most part and thrives on neglect.
LikeLike
With those recommendations, I might need to look into an echeveria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful iris! Gorgeous photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Gosh! What amazing, bright colours and perfect photos. Those Wilko irises are stunning, never mind what variety they are. I’m hoping to visit Wilko this week, or next, so will report back soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to seeing if you make any plant purchases
LikeLike
Great Six on Saturday. I think the not quite primrose is rather lovely and the Wilko iris is a super colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Isn’t it great that Chloris named the iris?!! A perfect example of why SoS is so interesting. I love the reticulata irises but have grown NONE here. Lovely pictures – and ‘singier’ birds definitely make one smile on a dark Monday morning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Iris ID from Chloris was great – I just hope I remember it (although hopefully I’ll be able to look it up on here next year if I forget!)
LikeLiked by 1 person