First Flowers of 2008!

Nothing is better than seeing the first flowers in the garden. Pictured here is a witch hazel - purchased with the tag torn off at Sheridan Nurseries several years ago. I think it's Arnold's Promise Hamamelis. Even wilder than seeing these great yellow flowers just starting to unfurl with a blanket of snow on the ground, is the great spicy fragrance. It appears to be a very slow grower for me - no more 5 cm a year so far - however, it has won my heart with its great fall colour of yellow leaves tinged with orange and flowers that seem almost supernatural.

On this cold, wet and rainy winter day - it truly gives me hope that spring is not too far away!