I stop and inspect the Lonicera Fragrantissima that is growing between the lychgate and the shed every time I ramble through the garden at this time of year. This is a shrubby honeysuckle that doesn’t climb, and has the most beautifully fragrant white flowers in late winter and early spring, and on today’s inspection I was rewarded with a glimpse of the first flower (although I struggled to get it into fcus – apologies!). The plant doesn’t have anything to recommend itself except for the flowers, as it has a rather scrubby and open habit, but it redeems itself for the few weeks that it is in flower, which I am sure is usually earlier than this.
The other ‘first’ is a glimpse of yellow narcissus – not amidst the swathes planted last year but in a raised and neglected bed outside the front door. More than likely they are ‘Tête-à-Tête’, to match what is normally planted in the troughs on the front wall of the house; this year, however, I broke with tradition and replanted the troughs with ‘Pencrebar’ along with the now rather tatty viola, but the former are barely poking their heads through yet. Looking at this photo, I ought to treat the viola to a trim – they deserve more attention than they get!
Rambling in the Garden 
Your garden is ahead of mine – my Lonicera Fragrantissima still has no flowers and there are flower heads but no colour on the narcissi. I agree that the garden is late this year – my snowdrops have only just got into their stride.
Thanks for dropping in, Julie. The Lonicera and narcissi I showed really were the very first signs of flower; my species snowdrops are late, and although my single nivalis snowdrops are full of flower now they are mostly still not open. We are in the UK Midlands and our garden is quite sheltered – where are you?
I just love seeing the spring flowers coming into bloom! Fills me with hope for some good weather and good gardening times 🙂
Such a joyous time of year, for that reason, Anna
Bienvenido a Blotanical, me gusta tu blog te seguiré, un saludo
Hola y gracias! 🙂
Violas are wonderful little plants, I am kicking myself for not collecting seed from the lovely little purple ones that have been growing here.
I must admit these have got rather more contrast than I would choose, but they were a real bargain from Aldi. I have had some very pretty paler ones before, almost lilac, which I much preferred. Thinking about saving seed is a start – it’s not something I have ever done, not yet anyhow. but perhaps in the future..