Where are the Flowers?

Perennials are the ones that grow like weeds, biennials are the ones that die this year instead of next and hardy annuals are the ones that never come up at all - Katherine Whitehorn

Mary was saying, just the other day, that the Winter Flowering Cherry (WFC) tree was devoid of blossom; as can be seen in Photo 1 taken on the 27th February 2026. Indeed, it is fair to say that Mary was more than a little worried that there was something wrong with the WFC tree.

I can tell you when fruit and vegetables need to be sown and harvested but I don't have that superpower when it comes to inedible plants. Last year was very warm overall with the months of October, November, and December also warm. Does winter season warmth encourage flowering?

Photo 1: Back Garden on 27th February 2026

I have photos of the WFC tree going back to 2021 as part of my View from the Rear Window series of blog posts. So let's see what the flowering status of the WFC was in previous years at the end of February. Starting with 2021 ...

Photo 2: Back Garden on 27th February 2021

Photo 3: Back Garden on 27th February 2022

Photo 4: Back Garden on 24th February 2023

Photo 5: Back Garden on 27th February 2024

Photo 6: Back Garden on 27th February 2025

We can see from the above pictures that the WFC had the most blossom in 2023. Note the earlier date for the February 2023 photo as we were on snowdrop tour in late February/early March of that year; see here, here, here, and here. However, as a general rule, blossom levels are very low at the end of February.

Does Mary's 'blossom clock' need re-calibrating? I think so! Looking through past photos of the WFC tree, it seems the end of March is when peak blossom-time occurs. Here, for example, is the WFC at the end of  March 2021 ...

Photo 7: Winter Flowering Cherry, 31st March 2021

... and at the end of March 2022 ...

Photo 8: Winter Flowering Cherry, 31st March 2022

... and at the end of March 2023 ...

Photo 9: Winter Flowering Cherry, 31st March 2023

... and at the end of March 2024 (note: peak blossom had already passed by this time as it had with our neighbour's tree in the background) ...

Photo 10: Winter Flowering Cherry, 31st March 2024

... and at the end of March 2025 ...

Photo 11: Winter Flowering Cherry, 31st March 2025

So how had Mary's blossom clock gone so out of kilter? Possibly the extreme 'greyness' of this past winter with little in the way of sunshine to brighten one's mood. We have emerged from the gloom of winter as the mornings and evenings are brighter.

At some point, I shall look at the WFC blossom times in more detail to see if it is possible to identify how weather and climate influence their flowering times. In the meantime, Mary is reserving judgement on whether the WFC tree is on its way out.

The Weir Garden - February 2026

 A large dose of snowdrops is the best cure for winter blues - Craftycabbage

Photo 1: Snowdrops & Yew Balls, The Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

The Weir Garden is a National Trust garden located just outside Hereford. It is a steeply-banked riverside garden re-known for its display of Spring bulbs (snowdrops, daffodils, etc). I have extolled its virtues in a number of previous posts; see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. You might have guessed that we do like to visit!! It is fairly basic amenities-wise (just toilets) but a great place for picnics, a gentle stroll, and a visit to the walled garden (time-permitting) to see what's growing in the vegetable garden.

It was the first day of February and a planned walk with friends had been cancelled due to an inclement forecast. We did get some rain but it brightened up in the late afternoon and there was just time to drive the 5 miles to the garden to enjoy the early spring bulbs along with some tea and homemade scones and biscuits.

Photo 2: Snowdrops at the Garden Entrance (Feb 1st 2026)

Despite the lateness of the day (3 pm, closing time 4:30 pm), the car park was surprisingly full. We showed our membership cards at the kiosk as we surveyed the first clumps of snowdrops at the entrance.

The Weir Garden is situated on a bend of the River Wye, the fourth longest river in the United Kingdom, and there was a decent flow due to the recent rains.

Photo 3: Looking Upstream, Weir Gardens (Feb 1st 2026)

Photo 4: Looking Downstream, Weir Gardens (Feb 1st 2026)

Most of the paths around the garden are gravelled and well-drained. There were a few flooded areas and a short section of grassy/muddy pathway where I slipped and landed on my backside. Much to the amusement of Mary. Sturdy footwear is thus recommended and there are a few climbs with rustic steps to be negotiated.

The stars  of the show were undoubtedly the snowdrops ...

Photo 5: An Isolated Clump of Snowdrops, Weir Garden, 2026

Photo 6: A Carpet of Snowdrops, Weir Garden, February 1st 2026

Photo 7: Snowdrops En Masse, Weir Garden (1/2/26)

Apart from the snowdrops there were a few other Spring flowers on show though sparsely distributed ...

Photo 8: Crocuses, Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

Photo 9: Daffodils, Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

Photo 10: Cyclamen, Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

Photo 11: Primrose, Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

Photo 12: Hellebores, Weir Garden (February 1st 2026)

We stayed for about 90 minutes and were the last to leave. We hope to be back later to see the daffodils and, later on, the wild garlic. By then the weather should be a little kinder.