Quarter Century

Crocus minimus, usually the last species to appear and so it is this year.  Not the smallest species, just the smallest one seen by the chap who named it!   Hardy but delicate.  This special form with the dark purple outer petals was gifted to me in 1999 making it one of the longest surviving plants in my collection.  One other dates back to 1989.  There is a form of this species in  the horticultural trade, called Spring Beauty, with just a small dark blotch on it's petals.  Unfortunately most if not all sticks are infected with a virus so I cannot recommend it.

A lovely sunny day, almost cloudless here along the coast and with a bit less wind it was a tad warmer.  I spent time in the greenhouse morning and afternoon when the sun was on it.  I have started planting a miniature garden in a 32cm clay pot.  Alpine plants are often quite small and compact so with careful choice it is possible to fit a good number into a large pot.  A picture will doubtless appear here one day.

Meg had two walks and a run at the ball field ... the benefit of her owner being drawn out by the sunshine!   We went along the seafront late morning and up the coast to the ancient church at Llangelynin late afternoon - extra pic from a bench against the church wall.   It's been a lovely day.