After the many bright days in January, it’s now cold and dismal outside – not particularly inviting when there is the alternative of a cosy seat in front of the fire! However, wrapped up well, a stroll around the garden revealed a few highlights at Aberglasne, notably this faithful hellebore with its long and plentiful flowering period – handsome as ever.

Naturalising in the grass (and moss!), the colour of these lovely crocus is captivating and certainly encouraged me to pause a little longer in before retreating back inside to peruse some on-line seed catalogues. It’s time we got moving and I’d like to try something different, but I’m also determined to try nicotiana sylvestris again – previous attempts have germinated but failed to  grow into flowering plants – suggestions for success gratefully received!