It hasn't fully opened yet, I think this may be one of the new 'January' ones, but I can't be sure. It looks just like the existing ones.

Winter aconite

Survived well from last year. There are three patches.

Snowdrops

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Cyclamen coum

This Amarylis is from last year. It was outside in its pot during the summer. I brought in in just before Christmas if I remember correctly and it very soon started growing leaves. I think last year it had two flower stalks, but it is still very impressive again.

Weather for January 2021

The average temperature was 2.2C with a minimum of -5.6C and maximum of 9.2C. Last year the average was 5.6C, so it was cooler than last year. There was 149mm of rain, whereas last year there was 32mm.

There were 17 days (last year just 3 days) when the temperature dropped below zero. There was even one day when the temperature never rose above zero.

There was snow on the ground on the 2nd the 14th and the 21st which wasn't ever very deep but lasted a few days.

You can compare with January last year.

Flowers

Not much going on of course. Daffodils are showing but only one bud visible. The new Daffodils I planted optimistically named 'January' have not flowered and do not appear anywhere near flowering.

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

They have survived in the main part of the garden, …

Compare with last year.

Weather for December 2020

The average temperature was 4.3C with a minimum of -2.9C and maximum of 12.0C. Last year the average was 4.7C, so it was about the same as last year. There was 73mm of rain, whereas last year there was 28mm.

There were 6 days, when the temperature dropped below zero. Last year there were 9 days.

Flowering during the month

Cyclamen

The tender Cyclamen that survived last winter has flowered again but not the great mass of flowers it had last year.

The Cyclamen coum are starting to flower.

Helleborus

The first one - Helleborus niger 'Mont blanc' - is already flowering.

The second - Helleborus × hybridus 'Christmas spirit' - is sending up buds before the leaves develop.

Compare with last year.

Weather for November 2020

The average temperature was 7.8C with a minimum of -3.3C and maximum of 15.4C. Last year the average was 5.6C, so it was warmer than last year. There was 19mm of rain, whereas last year there was 140mm, so much drier.

There were 3 days when the temperature dropped below zero. Last year there were 7 days.

Flowering during the month

Helleborus × hybridus 'Christmas spirit'

Flowering well before Christmas this year.

Salvia 'Amistad'

This was new this year and not all that big when I got it, the rate of growth is amazing.

Echinops rito

It's November! These Echinops are a bit late...

Verbascum × hybridum 'Banana custard'

A strange plant, it has been flowering for a while now and the flowers seem to appear here and there over the length of the flowering stem. This is probably the best …

Compare with last year.

Weather for October 2020

The average temperature was 9.3C with a minimum of 2.2C and maximum of 16.0C. Last year the average was 8.3C, so it was warmer than last year. There was 107mm of rain, whereas last year there was 100mm.

Flowering during the month

Primula 'Lilac lace'

In its fourth year here, its not doing all that well and is becoming swamped by the other Primula here. After they have finished flowering I intend to lift them all and spread them out some more.

Alstroemeria Summer Red 'Tessumred' (Summer Paradise Series)

New this year and looking good.

Lobelia cardinalis 'Bees' Flame'

This year the Lobeliahave been very disappointing, just look at this - there are hardly any flowers at all. I've put it down to the very dry spell at the beginning of the year, but I may be wrong and will …

The dry weather earlier in the year didn't much suit the Actaea (and several other plants). Although this is its third year it hasn't got noticeably any larger.