Garden envy!

On Saturday it was Hellebore Day at Bosvigo Gardens in Truro.

At this time of year the Woodland Garden is opened to raise money for Shelterbox. It's always an inspiration, but also always different depending on the progress of the seasons. I felt things were a little late this year, there seemed slightly fewer Hellebores than usual but the overall effect was, as ever, stunning!

This year we went in the mid afternoon which meant that the Hellebores for sale had largely gone - probably a good thing given my inability to leave without bags full in the past!

The low afternoon sun slanted across the tumbling drifts of spring flowers.

Snowdrops, Hellebores, Crocus, Daffodils and Puschkinia jostling together down a sunlit bank.

Vibrant Crocus underplanting dark Hellebores.

Puschkinia and Daffodils.

And here it comes... it was inevitable - the Hellebore rave! 

There was a gorgeous selection of pale yellows, delicate greens and whites...

and lovely rich pinks and metallic purples...

and I have two new favourites. First is this fantastic speckled, green double. It had slimmer and more delicate petals than many Hellebores and the speckles are on every petal and spread almost to the tips. It was tall and the flowers faced outwards rather than dropping down as some do.

I haven't seen a Hellebore like this before, but sadly there wasn't one in the sale so it remains a dream, at least until next year.

Then there was this gorgeous yellow single, with an orangey central blotch.

It was tall and branching and all over fabulous!

Tearing myself away from the Hellebores, because there was so much more - there were gorgeous Hamamelis...

and wonderful Snowdrops...

with beautiful markings...

and great drifts of Crocus...

almost glowing in the sunlight.

Elsewhere in the garden there were pinky Catkins and a lawn speckled with the little arrows of Narcissus Cyclamineus

There were also refreshments in the house and some lovely serene places to sit!

It was, as always a lovely visit, but now I feel I really need more spring bulbs in my garden - I shall make a plan now for September and then quite possibly mislay it until it's too late. 

However as long as there's a plan there's always a chance it might happen!