Waking up in Winter

Yesterday was brilliantly sunny and lured me into a walk to The Greenway Fort Point Channel gardens. The Galanthus, (snowdrops) are mid bloom, and the Hamamelis (witch hazel) are looking wonderful – almost at peak bloom.

Galanthus elwesii (giant snowdrop) under a pine tree near Pearl Street

The Hamamalis are doing their best to pick up where last year’s aerial sculpture by Janet Echelman left off – albeit grounded to the hillside but very showy in their yellows, oranges and reds. On the warmer days they are also sweetly fragrant with a haunting, wafting perfume that catches you by surprise.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Primavera’ (witch hazel)

Close up bloom of Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’

Clear yellow of Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’

The uneven temperatures this winter are a challenge for the plants in The Greenway. The Galanthus bulbs started blooming in December, in that heat wave. Then they were knocked back by a few days of subzero temperatures and not much snow cover. Now the protected ones tucked in and under and behind are coming out. Many of the leaves and new tips of foliage have brown or ragged edges from frost damage. The bulbs will  come up, and bloom on schedule, but that first flush of the delicate, green, nubile tips of alliums and daffodils may not be quite as lush and wonderful as usual. Stay tuned for more adventures in the world of bulbs and fleeting spring ephemerals.

Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop)