Yeah - I know it is still winter but it sure feels like spring. The birds are singing the grass is growing and the sun is shining. O.K., the sun is only coming out briefly between periods of cloud and rain but when it does shine it is just the drug I need right now.

I'm always surprised at what flowers at this time of year. Are Corsican hellebores supposed to be flowering at the same time as snowdrops?  On my way home from a dog walk I saw a lush Corsican hellebore and admired the granny smith green of the flowers in contrast to the dark spiny looking leaves. What a perfect plant when it is still young and small. In fact there were lots of intersting plants in a few gardens along this hill that my dog and I climbed. The perennials were developing quickly in the full southern exposure and even the beautifully hairy new leaves of the oriental poppy had grown to 6 inches long. I love that fresh green of the new growth plants are putting on in the warming weather. It is not surprising that it is the same chartreuse green that has been such a popular colour for years now in the home. The freshness of the colour brings the emerging life from our gardens into our homes.