I was most surprised today when I swung through at lunch time to see the witch hazel in full bloom.  ‘Arnold’s Promise’, a spectacular yellow.  Perhaps, for once, we will have a witch hazel that actually does its thing.  The wild ones have a certain ephemeral charm, but something that is front and center in a garden needs to hold its own.  It looks like this one will. The little sweat bees certainly like it!

What else? some crocus, not as many as some years, but not too bad.  And snowdrops of course.

(I am told it got to about 75 today and sunny, wouldn’t you know after spending January tromping about in the woods at 20 and snowing….I was inside today aside from lunch? Good thing I actually don’t like hot and sunny! Still it was a little funny!)