I’m so glad we are into February now. This winter has felt dreary and endless so far. I hope things perk up soon. In this part of Scotland we are on our 35th consecutive day of rain now…..and most of those days have been grey and wet ALL day. Yurghhhhhh!

Thanks to Jim (https://gardenruminations.co.uk/), the host of #SixOnSaturday, who pointed out last week that what I thought was Lorapetalum, could possibly be Leucothoe. Having looked more closely, I think he’s right — thanks Jim!

I have found it hard this week to get out and find new joys in the garden. Some of this week’s #SixOnSaturday are repeats from January, they ARE still giving me some joy through the gloom. Here they are.

First up this week, moss (and some ivy). There’s a lot of moss here. This patch, with its clinging ivy friend is on an old bit of sandstone wall. When you get close, the detail is lovely and the colour vivid.

Snowdrops are battling on…with no sign of snow. That’s probably just as well with 30mm of rain in February alone so far! At least I have not been snowed-in. They look lovely set against some of the leaves from autumn.

Hellebore are sending out some very healthy new shoots, also in a nice fresh green.

I am always glad to see the first of the hardy geraniums pushing their way through. This one has a charming dark blob in the middle of each leaf. I think it will be the one that has a small dark red (almost purple) flower early in the season.

Also forcing its way through, and I guess because the Grimes winter has tended to be warmish, a big poppy is bursting into life. If we get snow or heavy frost in the next few weeks, its progress will be slammed. Great for now…..

To finish this week, POW!! Here’s is my favourite Hellebore once again. Now at her peak, with wonderful purple flowers, yellow stamens, and lots of buds to come. This plant is loving the wet.

Thanks to those leaving comments on the blog. I do read them all, but the particular way I’m using WordPress (via a private server), I have yet to find a way to actually publish them on the blog. Join in with our #SixOnSaturday thoughts and images. All you need to do is find 6 things in your garden to show us. Then post on social, or add a link at Jim’s blog below. For regulars, our organiser is Jim at https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. And I’m on mastodon @julie3dharris@mastodon.scot