Having seen in the New Year quietly, Ben spent moments in the Magic Garden today. It was chilly but mainly dry. The Magic Garden is looking a little bleak at the moment but I found my first snowdrop signalling signs of spring.

I planted a Christmas rose under the apple tree in the back to join the winter border. As I’d bought it at a supermarket its not a named variety.
Helleborus niger is named the Christmas rose because of a legend in which this flower sprouted from the snow where a young girl (who had no gift to give to the son of God) had been crying.

In the Middle Ages, the flowers of the Christmas rose were believed to drive out evil influences and people therefore scattered them throughout the household for protection. These white flowers were also used to bless livestock and ward off witches. I don’t plan to pick the flowers so they should protect the Magic Garden instead.