A few weeks ago we had a snap of frost and a light dusting of snow accompanied by ice-fog. The world turned completely white for a few hours. The garden looked like it had been touched by fairy wands.

This winter I lost my favourite geraniums to those vicious frosts. These geraniums (apricot and burgundy coloured) had bravely survived 4 milder winters in the sheltered corners of the garden. This year the hard frosts left no corner untouched. I will have to remember which garden centre I bought those favourite geranium colours from, so that I can get them again. Next year, I will prevent the loss by taking cuttings before the December and January frosts.

We have had some lovely winter visitors to our garden. Yesterday morning I counted seven Icelandic Red Wings sitting in the top of our purple plum tree. They are here, escaping the unforgiving cold nearer the arctic circle. I’m glad our garden can be a refuge for them.

The cyclamen, my favourite winter flowers, are happily blooming no matter how cold it is. A frost might make them look sad for a day, but they perk up with a little winter sunshine.

A few of the spring bulbs, which I planted in pots in the autumn, are poking leaf shoots out of the frozen earth. The camellia has bright green flower buds nestled between the dark waxy leaves.

There is hope. Spring is coming. The tulips, daffodils and camellias will arrive eventually.