I have commented before that I have found the sequence of seasonal change, and with it the rotation of flowering of our plants in garden and countryside is not conforming to what we once thought was a well-established pattern.
2022 brought about the most noticeable of these changes. The seasons seemed to extend and slide into the next. It was hotter (record breaking), driest (again record breaking) and an occasional interruption of short sharp burst of bad weather. As for winter, right now I would answer ‘what winter’.
The biggest and most unpredictable interruption to the seasonal timetable has been with our plants. Many were much earlier, others very late in flowering. Some regulars just didn’t sport their usual and prolific blooms, whist other normally shy blooms thrived. All in all, it was a mystery and a learning curve…. and it begs the question “what will this year bring to our gardens”.
Maybe the hint is with our Winter Flowering Jasmine. In the past, we would be saying goodbye to its yellow flowers that often brightened a December day, definitely a STAR of January…. 2023 on the 20th of February and we are just starting to enjoy this welcome spot of winter colour. Not sure what this year has in store…. but I guess it will be different yet again.
Not a scientific based just everyday observations.
Whatever the changes and challenges that are ahead of us….. as always….
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
21st February
(C) David Oakes 2023
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 