The White Forsythia is Flowering

When I posted about the buds on my Abeliophyllum Distichum (otherwise know as White Forsythia) several people asked me to post pictures when they opened so here they are:

It only opened properly this week and although it's still quite a scrawny looking shrub I'm so pleased that after 4 years it has actually got a decent number of flowers on it!

As well as looking delicate and beautiful they also have a very pleasant scent.  The very slight pink tinge isn't really visible except through the camera!

It's not an easy plant to locate, I got mine from the Place For Plants, but if you can track one down I would recommend it as a slow growing lovely early spring shrub.  I need to prune mine when it's finished flowering to try and persuade it not to be quite so scrawny.

I'll leave you with Mr/Mrs Robin who was watching me take photos of the White Forsythia!

 

Tiny Signs of Spring

Walking down the garden today I spotted signs of spring.  Only little signs at the moment and I did have to look hard to see some of them, but they're there alright!

One (yes I did say one!) snowdrop next to the hellebores. (I'm not sure where the other snowdrops have gone...)

Tiny chaenomeles buds breaking

and lilac buds beginning to fatten.

Aqualegia leaves unfurling

And the delicious scent of Lonicera Fragrantisima filling the air.

But the thing I am most excited about is the amount of buds on this - Abeliophyllum distichum (or White Forsythia).

I planted it about 4 years ago and have hardly had any flowers in the past - so this is looking very hopeful!