Ten years ago when I moved to this house the patch of outside space was mostly overgrown. There was a small patch of annual weeds surrounded by mountains of brambles punctuated with ‘vertical interest’ provided by the odd self seeded holly or sycamore sapling. I spent my first summer working my way round the plot clearing, clearing, clearing.
I have read in gardening books that you should leave your garden for the first year allowing any glorious unexpected plants time to be discovered. Well, that would have been a waste of year for me as apart from a fully grown, 40 year old philadelphus, I discovered a stunted apple tree supporting an ant colony and a pale pink peony in deep shade!! And, then there was this camellia, colour of flowers unknown, and no sign of flowering.
As I have mentioned before I garden in a region with low rainfall on very free draining soil, altogether not suitable for camellias, but here was a camellia. Yes, it was sickly and struggling, but surviving – so I moved it to light dappled shade, fed it and drenched it with rainwater in dry periods and 10 years later it’s getting into its stride. Gardening is a game of waiting.
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Agnes Ashe 
How lovely – am I imagining a subtly, delicate scent? This photo cant be from this year can it? Has it blossomed already?
Yes, these are photos are from last week and it’s still in full bloom just beginning to go over.
I’m so envious – happy for you though. I did see my first snowdrops and marsh marigolds while out hiking about 60 klms south of here so it’s bound to happen soon.
All the waiting though makes the eventual arrival more sweet and pleasurable don’t you think? 🙂
Great last line, Agnes. It’s cold and dreary and wet here on my patch in southern Ontario, which means its early Spring and I am thankful.
It’s that time of year – grateful for small mercies.