Mr. Fokker Anemone
When I think of winter certain things come to mind: snow, cold temperatures, skiing, sledding, ice skating, hot chocolate! Living in Ireland has changed that idea a bit for me. Our winters are usually fairly mild, with only a quick cold snap. Snow is unusual. Cold is cold, but not like what I’d be used to while living in Central New York. And the winter is short. Really short if I look back to my days of having snow around until March! I do miss the snowy side of winter. But the tradeoff is having flowers in my garden even in January.
A frozen anemone
We had a deep freeze the other day: -5 degrees Celsius. I took some pictures in the morning, and by the afternoon the rain had come and everything thawed out!
First morning light over the frosty field
This close-up of the crystals is my favorite
Today was yet another mild day, 8 degrees Celsius, and sunny. I am not complaining, I just hope it has been cold enough to keep the slugs at bay! My garden has a few flowers which are blooming. The anemone have multiplied over the past few years. They don’t seem to mind that it is January. Also giving some color in the garden are a few daisies and a black-eyed Susan plant! I think they are simply confused. The primrose are a lovely bright color. There is also a lot of green in my ditch wall garden from poppies. Lots and lots of poppies!
The day after the frost
This is flowering in January.
A sunny winter day
January in the garden
Dogwood plant has lovely red branches
Our area has really been very fortunate with the weather. Even just seeing the sun for a bit of the day is refreshing to the soul.
Evening view from the front yard
The very last rose.
Do you have any flowers growing in your winter garden?
Happy winter!
Dana
Mom in the Garden 
Hi Dana, I also have Rudbekia (black eye Susan) blooming! without popping outside at this hour to check…I know I also have the perennial wall flower Bowles Mauve with quite a few blooms on it, some cyclamin, and hellebores (a few varieties). i’ll check for more in the morning! your photos are stunning…even moreso than usual, if that’s possible! so uplifting 🙂 thank you!
All of that sounds beautiful Susan! My erysimum bowles is taking a rest at the moment (no blooms), and my hellebores are not quite ready to bloom. The snow drops you gave me have two little white buds already up! Even more to look forward to! The Rudbeckia doesn’t usually bloom at this time of year, does it? Thank you for the lovely compliments. I love sharing the beauty. Peace to you my friend! Dana
Hi Dana, it must be so interesting to garden in a different environment – something I’ve yet to do!
And wow to Mr. Fokker Anemone, stunning colour. I was looking earlier in the year for Anemone in the shops, I think I will have to order on line to get the ones I want.
And your views are stunning, must be lovely to stand and stare out. Claire
Hello Claire, it is quite different! I am glad to have had different experiences. You are so right, I love being in our yard, even doing nothing, because it is so peaceful and beautiful in such a simple way. I’m grateful for having an appreciation of nature and everything gardening! 😉 Thank you for visiting! Dana
Lovely and I’m very jealous! 🙂
Hi Andrea, thank you! Oh there are always trade-offs, aren’t there? I’m delighted to see what gardens are like in Idaho (I’ve never even been near there!) through your blog. It’s fun to explore new places this way. Thank you for stopping by! Dana
Flowers in January! This Pittsburgh gal can only dream! I’ll live virtually through you for now, if you don’t mind!
Hi there garden girl 204! I don’t mind at all! I hope you continue to enjoy my garden! I’ve also lived in Pittsburgh, so I know how brutal the winters can be. I hope I was able to brighten up your winter day 🙂 Thank you for visiting! Dana
Very pretty! Amazing how much color is in your Irish garden in winter: I didn’t realize it was so mild!
Hi there Spy Garden Gal! I have to say that this year has been exceptionally mild. We’d usually have at least one winter feeling cold spell, usually in January. But not this year. Two years ago it was also too mild, and following that we had TONS of slugs. I hope that isn’t the case this year! Dana