Here’s an early Valentine’s bouquet from my garden.

The north-facing garden is mostly frozen. Birdbath and hummingbird feeders are deployed and all the plants start out the morning looking frozen and, if not quite dead, at least pretty depressed.

But the irrepressible hellebore motto seems to be “The show must go on!”

Despite the frigid nights, as soon as the sun hits the yard the hellebores miraculously bounce back to create an illusion of spring.

We can take guidance from them if we like, or simply gaze at them in joy and wonder.

Postscript: Looks as if we have colder temperatures and snow coming next week, so the curtain may have to fall on the hellebore show for a while. The hellebores may need saving from their own optimism and eagerness for spring.

Time to deploy my supply of dry leaves and insulating cloth to tuck our colourful little friends up, keeping them (fingers crossed) alive for second act later in the spring.

Raven Garden of Happiness Limited Edition Print — only a few left in the series.

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