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Mid Winter - Spring cometh.

© Gary Buckley

Mid Winter - Spring cometh Though from the street you'd never know it.

The temperatures are still low, the sleet and rain out of the Southern Ocean still chills my bones; stepping out into the garden one is heartened at the flowerings. Everywhere there are the signs of Spring, not too far off.

The many branched, stiffly swaying Melasphaerula ramosa are everywhere, preferring their own company and liking the sandy well drained position created for them; they thrive. When you think you have enough of these, don't allow them to set seeds. They like to be crowded, but really one can have problems down the track with Melasphaerula; it is so good at perpetuating itself.

The winter to spring flowering Romulea could fill several articles. I like this genus for it's durability and ease of growing. The deciduous South African species are mainly winter growing. When the heat of summer is blasting and baking, they go safely dormant. The variation in flower forms and time of flowering is an endless treat over winter and spring. Even if you live in an apartment, there is always room for the larger flowering forms. They are ideally suited to pot culture.

Sadly this time of the year shows us the promise of heat to come. Most of the species Lachenalias have flowered; looking messy with their long foliage drooping.

Narcissus are just coming into their height of flowering, each morning is an exciting voyage of discovery; venturing out over decaying leaves heavy with dew and frost. The cyclaminius hybrids are all beginning to compete for attention reminding their fellow companions that there will be a changing of the guard as the days lengthen.

About the only genus which doesn't feel the threat of change is Cyclamen. This is well represented with us, and always has been. On any given day of the year, they are quietly here; flowering.

Much to my surprise, crocus continue to do well here at sea level. I was told by another that Crocus go pussy in Victoria; with us, they seem oblivious to this knowledge. Safe in well drained soils, they keep appearing year after year, with renewed vigour.

Chionodoxa are just beginning to show their true worth. Coming from Turkey, Crete and Cypress; they seem to do well here. Of the 7-8 forms grown, this is the first to push through the growing medium.

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