Flowering Currant - March 2017

Finally, for the most part, we had a weekend without rain at last, and over in dad's garden, spring had really got under way, with lots of new flowers being encouraged into flowering.

The Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) was looking particularly pretty with its pink blossom only just starting to open, with plenty of promise left to come from the unopened flower buds.

Lesser Celandine - March 2017

There were lots of clumps of these Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) blooms forming around the lawn. Many consider this pretty little plant a weed, but I rather like the look of them.

Green Alkanet - March 2017

Another potential weed is this Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens), which has little blue flowers, meaning the name is rather confusing! It's another one that splits opinions but as the insects seem to love it, I'm all for it.

Dandelion Delight - March 2017

Yet another plant on the weed list is the Dandelion (Taraxacum), and much for the same reason as the Green Alkanet, I tend to leave them in my garden, especially early in the year when they are a valuable source of pollen for our insect population.

Kerria - March 2017

The Japanese Rose (Kerria japonica) bush was just coming into bud, with some of the buds being more eager to open than the others.

Yellow and Pink - March 2017

The Primroses (Primula) were really getting into their stride at this time of year, with many of the clumps divided last year, in need of dividing again this year.

Forgotten Clumps - March 2017

Talking of clumps, the Forget Me Nots (Myosotis) were popping up all over the place in small and large patches.

Japanese Quince - March 2017

The Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles) bush flower buds were now all nearly open, and looking very beautiful in the morning sunlight.

Flush of Forsythia - March 2017

The Forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) bush was once again looking quite spectacular, whether you stood close to it...

Fantastic Forsythia - March 2017

...or stepped back to enjoy the mass of golden yellow flowers.

Incredible Camellia - March 2017

And what can I say about the Camellia bush? I've never seen it looking quite so good! Isn't it amazing?

Camellia - March 2017

Meanwhile, over in my garden, my own Camellia bush wasn't looking quite so vigorous, and only had a handful of these dark pink flowers on show.

Purple Anemone - March 2017

It wouldn't be long before the Anemones would be open, although I've forgotten the particular variety of this individual.

Muscari Album - March 2017

My White Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides Album) was just coming into bud, and it wouldn't be long before the tiny white florets would be opening.

Delft Blue - March 2017

The same could be said about the Hyacinth 'Delft Blue' (Hyacinth orientalis) plants, which were all just about ready to bloom.

Pink Hyacinth - March 2017

My pink Hyacinths, however, had already started, and were looking particularly nice, whether viewed as a whole...

Pink Hyacinth Bloom - March 2017

...or as a singled out bloom.

White Iberis Blossom - March 2017

The Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) shrub was still performing well, and was covered in these lovely white flowers.

Zebra Danio - March 2017

Indoors, I've recently been setting up a couple of tropical fish aquariums, and this is one of the first residents. It's one of a small school of Zebra Danios (Danio rerio) that is currently cycling the smaller of the two tanks.

Dozing - March 2017

So, what of my photogenic furry friend this week? Well, this is the only shot I managed to grab of him! He seemed a bit out of sorts, and didn't seem to want any company, which is unusual for him. Rather than sleep on a lovely comfy sofa, he decided to slum it amongst the leaf litter of this flower bed.

So, this week I chose Flowering Currant as my Image of the Week, mainly because it is one of my favourite plants in dad's garden, but also because I like the picture the most...