First Storm Ciara and then Storm Dennis. In between we’ve had hail and thunder. It’s the time of year where I’m itching to get outside and garden, but the weather is keeping me reined in.

In need of fresh air, I venture out for a walk by the River Mersey, being blown and buffeted by the wind and avoid the woodland where the sound of snapping branches can be heard. The hedgerows show welcome signs of spring with the gleaming white blossom of blackthorn standing out amongst all the grey scrub. Sometimes, there’s even a welcome clump of snowdrops peeping out from their base.

Blackthorn blossom

Recently, I made my annual trip to Rode Hall with a friend to see the snowdrops. The sun was shinning, the breeze invigorating and we enjoyed the spectacle of carpets of snowdrops as usual.

Snowdrops at Rode Hall in mid February

Emerging from the cafe after a warming lunch, we both stopped to look at a small display of spring flowers, moss, ferns and branches arranged really creatively against the barn wall. A temporary display designed to cheer up the space while the grounds are open for the snowdrop walks. We thought it charming and inspirational. Similarly clever are the little moss balls filled with snowdrops that hang from the arches in the walled garden. I love it when someone has gone to the trouble of adding little touches like that.

Spring arrangement in the courtyard at Rode Hall

Trying to entertain my granddaughter on a wet afternoon, I nipped outside to pick some hellebore flowers. I have lots of plants in pots stored in readiness for a large garden that I will start planting next month. We trimmed the flowers and floated them in a glass bowl filled with water. She enjoyed doing it and I’ve had a lovely table display for the past week. It’s also a good way to appreciate the beauty of a hellebore flower close up.

Floating hellebore flowers – these are selected Helleborus orientalis ‘Magic’ series

A couple of the hellebores have been added to the little plant display in my porch that I change around throughout the year. Inspired by the scent of Daphne bholua that wafts around Rode Hall gardens, I have treated myself to a Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’. The Sarcococca confusa that was providing a scented greeting to visitors has now finished flowering, so its been replaced with the daphne. The porch is open at the front but keeps plants dry and sheltered while the storm rages a footstep away… literally.

Porch display February 2020 – Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’, bottom left pot, double Helleborus orientalis and Iris reticulata

So, If you’re suffering from being cooped up inside this February, be inspired by plants. Maybe take up gardening with houseplants? Very on-trend! And it is the start of the seed sowing season, so hunker down with the radio on and get those seed sown, while you’ve got the time. Spring will arrive soon and then there will be lots to do outside in the garden.