looks about what we have in fairfield county, ct. Everything at once this year.

That's interesting. I would've thought you'd be at least a few weeks ahead of us.

it's been odd. we were de-thatching lawns the week of valentines day. Then we got more snow and some cold. As recently as last week, we were so muddy it was impossible to do anything. this week, everything started blooming...forsythia, daffs, crocus, star mags, all the little spring bulbs, cherries. started lawn mowing this week, which is about average.

I would get very depressed with such a long winter. The picture looks like my area in February.

Yes, for one who longs to garden, it can become a bit depressing. Snow in May can make it clinical.

Is was a weird Winter. March was colder than December, January or February in areas of the Mid Atlantic. I thought our Saucer Magnolias were okay, but a week of 60's in February and then a cold March killed the floral blossoms for the season. I really miss their April blooms. My Star Magnolia was okay but bloom still off compared to normal. Forsythia is in full bloom now (normal is March). Part of the sense of a drab season this year may be the loss of early flowering, spring trees and shrubs. Deciduous trees are greening up though now, including my Japanese Maple. I just hope we actually have a Spring season and not go into heat and drought early in the growing season! (We have a fire warning for tomorrow with temps into the mid 80's and dry winds.)

" The picture looks like my area in February."

Never mind that hypothetically, in zn 9 border parts of the UK you might have various winter blooming shrubs like Camellia saluenensis and its hybrids, C. X hiemalis, Ericas, Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer', etc.

Of course. Most gardens would also have slew of broad leaved evergreens, winter flowering shrubs, hellebores, emerging perennials and bulbs. I was just referring to the stage the Forsythia had reached. If you took away the Forsythia it looks more like deepest Winter here.