At this time of year there is a distinct lack of brigtness in the garden, but if you have planned for it, then there can be some real jewels to be found.

Under the willow, I have planted the cyclamen that I bought last year.  Their wonderful cerise flowers sing out in the dull day, demanding your attention.  

Cyclamen may be low growing, but at this time of year they are a real pleasure.  When there are more flowers demanding your attention, they might just get lost is the chorus, but now they have the chance to be stars.  It is amazing that their fabulous twisted buds unfurl into such bright jewels.

They are planted away from the normal canine paths in the garden, but don’t seem to suffer at all from the odd misplaced paw.