Even by London standards it’s been an exceptionally mild start to winter. Our traditional Boxing Day walk from Highgate to Hampstead revealed dahlias in full spate, rioting red geraniums and walls festooned with Jasminum polyanthum, all blooming cheek-by-jowl with seasonal clumps of Lenten rose (Helleborus niger) and the bejewelled stems of Viburnum x bodnantense.
The biggest surprise of the day was a carpet of daffodils (I believe Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’, thank you Chloris!) outside a house in Merton Lane near Hampstead Heath. They were accompanied by snowdrops and the pale purple buds of Crocus tommasinianus. It’s a scene I’d have expected to see in March rather than December, and a sign of just how much the seasons have shifted in recent years.
On the heath itself the landscape was much more as one might expect: damp, bare and dun-coloured. Every muddy pathway was thronged with the well-to-do, resplendent in Barbour jackets, Hunter wellies and ill-advised bobble hats. During winter nature’s beauty is often found in the detail – in the tenacious strands of ivy clinging to every branch; in the dry, copper-coloured leaves of oak and beech still clinging on for dear life; and in the thickets of flaming bramble leaves guarding the damp ground beneath.
Reaching Hampstead we sought out Mansfield Place, a hidden pathway between two rows of picture-perfect cottages. In one garden a dark-leaved camellia was studded with white flowers of astonishing purity, as white and waxy as any tropical gardenia.
What’s for certain is that winter’s wrath is just around the corner. We’ll soon either be deluged with rain or frozen to the bone, so we must count our blessings and enjoy nature’s unexpected gifts whilst we may.
The daffodil is Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’ s Early Sensation’ which is a lovely early one which usually blooms in January. Mine are not out yet, but I suppose they bloom earlier in a sheltered London garden.
Amazed to see the daffodils – didn’t know there were any earlies. Delightful, anyway – thanks very much for posting😊.
Your Posts have given me so much pleasure. Our winters average -10 to -20 degrees below zero F ! http://harmoniouspalette.com/Alda2014Dec18.html I, too, am a plant person and have been a member of the Alpine Garden Society and the Scottish Rock Garden Club since 1971. I am always looking for interesting things for bouquets. Keep up the good work. With best wishes to all, alda stich
This mild December weather alarms me. What’s ahead or has the climate permanently changed so dramatically? But, on the positive side, that camellia is absolutely gorgeous.
It’s hard to tell Judy, a couple of years ago we had a freezing December so there’s no rhyme or reason to the weather as far as I can see. That camellia flower reminds me that we really need to find a place for one in our London garden. One more thing to shoehorn in!
How bizarre! We won’t see daffodils until April. And it’s just amazing to me that there are flowers blooming there. Here in the unusually mild temperatures of the Midwest, we have fewer plants with green leaves on them than you have with flowers…. -Beth
Hi Beth. I was amazed at the number of trees which still had their leaves clinging on yesterday, however we had gales and sleet overnight so I think winter is finally beginning for us!
Yes, amazing. The viburnum is flowering in Greenwich Park, south east London, as are hellebores (white and purple) and a particularly pretty single pink bush which is in full bloom!
That IS quite amazing to see all that color in the midst of winter. How beautiful!
Wow, I can’t believe that you had these flowers out in December! It has been cold and gray here, the only flowers ones from the florists.
I think our cold snap is just about to arrive Laurie. As for the florists they seem very short of flowers post Christmas so I am glad I overdid it beforehand!
What a lovely walk! The Camellia is exquisite!
It is rather perfect isn’t it?