It is an odd thing. As I get older the years seem shorter but this winter seems to have gone on for ever. But on Saturday I woke to a curious meteorological event: there was a light frost and the sun was shining. Of course it didn’t last long and Sunday was wet. But it was a glimmer of hope and this week has provided more hints that spring is coming. It even prompted me to sort out the dahlias and cannas and get them potted. When I get back from my working trip to the UK it will be time to get sowing.

And against the odds, the mimosa (Acacia) showed a few of its beautiful flowers. This should be an annual event but it is not. I was stupid to plant it in the centre of the garden where the vicious winds strip it of foliage and the autumn-set flower buds throughout the winter. By autumn it is beautiful, covered in dainty, grey-green leaves and it has grown well, becoming the tallest tree in the garden. But by March it is usually stripped of foliage and buds. But lower branches, partly sheltered by a hedge to the south, escape the worst and this year there has been a smattering of bloom. I am grateful.

Not far away, the flowers are opening on the edgeworthia. I actually have two and the original was planted in as much shelter, and thus shade, as I could provide because it is not terribly hardy. Unfortunately this sheltered spot also shelters snails and I know of no other shrub that is as delectable to molluscs. The foliage and stems are constantly eaten, though the plant does, slowly, get bigger. But I was then gifted a second plant and that has been planted in a brighter spot, encouraged by the hardiness of the first. And this is opening its first blooms. Although always described as fragrant I never detect a lot of scent but the flowers are pretty.

And then there is Cornus mas ‘Kazanlak’, a fruiting form of the species from Bulgaria. It is still young and had a few flowers last year. This year it is bigger and is flowering well. The blossoms are tiny but create a golden haze. There were no fruit last year and the rotten weather is not likely to result in any this year either but I keep my fingers crossed for my first taste of Cornelian cherry later this year.

A welcome splash of sunshine is also provided by the primula ‘Osiered Amber’. These were sown last summer and are from Barnhaven primulas, the best place to get great primroses. It has typical primrose form but the leaves and flower stalks are flushed with red and the flowers are of a more golden shade than typical primroses. The plants are in patio pots and a bit battered by wind and rain but looked happy in the sun. Unlike the monstrous giants in garden centres now, the Barnhaven strains are hardy and cope with the weather. ‘Osiered Amber’ is always my favourite because, although domesticated, it has not lost the charm of the original. Of course there are some fancier kinds starting to bloom too. Primroses and polyanthus should be sown in summer and are not difficult as long as you remember that the seeds need light and cool temperatures to germinate, not always easy to provide in summer, even in Ireland,

acacia dealbata, barnhaven primulas, cornus mas, edgeworthia, primula osiered amber