Today (Friday) was the first day of sunshine here and after too many days of rain, it does bring a song into your heart.
I ventured out into the garden to finish pruning the climbing roses, before I began, I decided to do a tour with the camera. The gardener’s friend, was as usual, keeping an eye on me while providing his own welcome tune.
The Mohonia in full flower, with the sunshine, brought the honey bees out from their hives.
They were also visiting the Clematis which scrambles all over it.
The Flowers and the Trees.
By the front door there are pots planted up for a seasonal display with Carex, Ferns, Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’, Erica x darleyensis ‘Phoebe’, Thuja ‘Goldy and the…
…Snowdrop elwesii…
…and a hellebore.
Another pot contains the Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’.
On the other side of the door an Euonymus is trained against the wall with Sarcococca confusa in front…
…the powerful scent from the Sacococca ( Christmas Box) fills the house every time the door is opened.
In the Oriental garden the Hamamelis is in full flower, I have mentioned before I would not recommend this variety, because it holds on to its dead leaves. I removed them all before taking this picture.
The sunshine was highlighting the Erica ‘Albert’s Gold’ by the entrance to the White and Green garden and the standard variegated Holly, Ilex ‘Argentea Margenata’ at the back.
Around the Holly are planters with variegated Myrtle, Tulips just starting to show and Vinca minor ‘Alba’
The snowdrops are beginning to open around the garden, especially where the sun reaches…
…the common double, which was given to me by a friend, are clumping up well, ready to divide later on…
…as is the winter aconite, although more slowly.
The Prunus Serrula always looks wonderful with the sunlight on its bark, its mug decorations ( Mug Tree) have so far survived the winter.
Around its roots is a Skimmia and variegated Ivy. Many gardeners fear ivy in the garden, I like to see it, the variegated forms are not so vigorous, while providing some colour to lighten a dark area of the garden along with being good for wildlife.
It is easy to ignore plants such as Skimmia when everything else is in full flower, however at this time of year they make a welcome contribution to the garden and this one below is a little more unusual than most.
The House Sparrows are gathering in the top of a Viburnum before diving down on to the ground feeders.
What ‘Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees’ are making you sing in your garden?
brimfields.com 
Lovely to see your garden looking very good in the winter sunshine. I thought I was seeing things when a bee landed nearby last week, now you have shown that this was certainly true in your garden. The clematis looks very appealing…will look that one up.
LikeLike
Any winter sunshine and the honey bees are out Noelle looking for nectar.
LikeLike
So lovely to see spring has arrived in your garden. The standard variegated holly is eye-catching, as are the pots by your front door.
LikeLike
Thank you Eliza.
LikeLike
Your January garden is spectacular! Even your pots are full of colour. Amelia
LikeLike
Thank you Amelia. Do you have a Mahonia in your garden for the bees?
LikeLike
I have three Mahonia. They are doing quite well but are not the size to attract numbers of bees – yet.
LikeLike
👍
LikeLike
It really looks springlike in your garden Brian – thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
My pleasure Cathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We noticed that the bird are starting to sing. Our sarococca was only planted last year and is still quite small but I noticed that perfume this week. I think a little sunshine would help intensify the scent.
LikeLike
It certainly will Sue.
LikeLike
Hey, why is spring getting there first? It always comes here first!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be our turn this year Tony, although there is still time for winter to return!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For us, it had better return. We do not have enough snow in the Sierra Nevada, and we could use some rain here too.
LikeLike
I will try and send you some of our rain💦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, it does not work that way.
LikeLike
GREAT POST and PHOTOS as always! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
My Mahonia flowers are long gone – something else that flowered out of season back in November. I still think your Prunus is a wonderful “diversion”; you explained its unusual blossom a while back. But I’m zooming in on your Sarcococca ‘WInter Gem”. I’ve been looking at it (and its parent ‘Purple Stem’) for some variety but have read that the so-called red flowers are just the buds and they actually open white and the initial impression of two-tone flowers soon disappears. How long does yours hang on to any of the redness please?
LikeLike
I will have to observe and let you know John, as the picture shows it hasn’t yet opened and I cannot remember from last year!
LikeLike
There have been a couple of days lately when it has felt almost spring like and the birds are definitely singing again. So frustrating though because the ground is still far too sodden to set foot on. I am itching to get out there!
LikeLike
You are on clay there Jessica, we are on a free draining loam. I am sure you know, more harm than good can be done by venturing on to clay soil to soon.( Both to the soil and the gardener).
LikeLike
Hello Brian, Well every day when we go up the steps (opposite the Post Office in Malvern) we also have the heady perfume from Sarcococca confuse. We were also greeted by a Robin as we started our walk this evening along Abbey Road, But alas have not seen any bees, BUT at the top of Rose Bank Garden as you enter the path from Foley Terrace, there is a delightful display of the tiny deep pink cyclamen. I have enjoyed “the walk” through your garden – amazing there is so much now. But where/when did you get the white gate????? Best wishes, Tina PS I think I might have had your Skimmia (Hermaphrodite) many moons ago in one of “my” gardens.
LikeLike
Hello Tina, you must come for a real tour again soon and see the white gate.
LikeLike
And what a difference a bit of sun makes. The birds are singing and the garden is coming to life. I enjoyed the stroll round yours and seeing what you are enjoying at the moment.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting Chloris.
LikeLike
I just love the mug tree, makes me smile each time I see it. Your garden is looking great, thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
It is snowing here today Brian but we did have a couple of mild days towards the end of January when it was good to be out and about. Your garden is looking fabulous and full of winter interest. Love the mug tree – was that idea inspired by your grandchildren?
LikeLike
WE saw a tea pot tree in another garden, so that was where the inspiration came from. They were ‘encouraged ‘ to do it for the open garden.
LikeLike