Winter flowers . .

poppy buds
Winter here in the Waikato is often wet and dreary, with splashes of sunny blue-sky days after a good frost. Because we live in a huge valley covered in alot of water, ie lakes and rivers, plus peaty swamps ( many have been drained), we do get fog - fog that can last most of the day ! But, there is colour if you look for it. . . Down at the Hamilton Gardens the hellebores are flowering, daphne spreads it`s wonderful scent, Michelia.doltsopas with their beautiful fragrance splashing white throughout the borders, even the daffodils are starting to bloom on the hillside under the old cemetery. The air is crisp, the ground damp underfoot with the first signs of spring starting to show.

winter rose or hellebore - gorgeous woodland plant

Puriri flowers - this native tree flowers nearly all year, attracting tui and other nectar loving birds.