Winterthur, Delaware on February 13, 2022

Legacy of Henry Francis du Pont, 1880-1969, American

 

Asian witch hazel in fragrant bloom already as you enter the park at Winterthur

 

The glassless glass houses and gardener’s sheds are barren of plants and people

Every year you wonder how the hydrangeas retain any part of their delicate flower structure throughout the winter

The old magnolia is silver and, at its feet, the golden new growth of the boxwood whose fragrance some people love and some cannot tolerate

The koi with couture colours untroubled among their inverted trees. 

On the east terrace of the museum, spring crocus is in bloom already

Nearby the Chinese night jasmine has begun to flower

And snow flakes (Leucojum) with painted petals

Hearts for Valentine’s day.

 

Louis, the Lenten roses have not yet flowered

 

but we do have an early Spring, nonetheless.