My USDA zone 5a garden is in a strange state of flux. We had a rather mild winter and March, so many plants were taking off. Now it's bitter cold for several days, with nighttime lows around 24F/-4C.
These photos were taken before the winds, pounding rains, and bitter cold hit. The Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are doing OK--they've been blooming for a couple of weeks now. In fact, the cold weather is holding their blooms longer.
Little patches of Glory of the Snow (Scilla forbesii) here and there have been so cheery and affirming.
The Blue Squill (Scilla siberica), barely had a chance to break bud. But that blue color!
Hellebores, including this unknown Helleborus orientalis hybrid can take the tough weather conditions. They're a bit battered around, but they'll be OK.
Another Hellebore hybrid.
This Hellebore 'Sandy Shores' is a new one for me, and the buds are almost as pretty as the blooming flowers.
Here's 'Sandy Shores' just about to bloom. The flower has a slightly warmer color tone than some of my other Hellebores.
Yet another Hellebore, 'Blushing Bridesmaid', seems to be appropriately taking her time to bloom. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one, too, because it's a double-petaled bloomer.
I was shocked to see that the Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) was blooming in the woods. Poor little buddies--I'm sure they're pummeled and depetaled by now. The Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is up, too, but I didn't get photos of the flowers yet.
I'm sure my May Bloom Day will be much more optimistic and floriferous. Until then, make sure to check out other posts for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
Between the wind and freezing weather things are a little gray here today. Your garden looks quite happy. Cheers...
ReplyDeleteCheers, Lisa! We made it through the obnoxious bitter cold weather relatively unscathed. I hope the deep freezes are behind us now. For you, too!
DeleteWow! Those squill are much brighter blue than mine were! Mine are all faded and going limp now.
ReplyDeleteThey don't look as blue after they open, but boy those closed buds were brilliant!
DeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteWe are cold, cold, cold here in Northwest Wisconsin. We woke to 15 degrees outside. And no heat. Our furnace went out. I am thankful to say that the furnace repair man was here. (we wondered if we needed to Lysol him) .. he actually was very honest about his health before coming inside.
The furnace is back and running.
Bloodroot are may favorite to see in the woods. They remind me of my grandpa. He is the one who taught me so much about looking for wild flowers.
I can't even imagine, Carla! I'm so sorry to hear about the furnace, but glad you got it fixed right away. What sweet memories you must have of times with your grandpa. :)
DeleteYou've got a beautiful collection of Narcissus, Beth. The deep blue of the Scilla siberica is incredible too. I hope your cold snap ends soon and you can get back out to enjoy your garden.
ReplyDeleteThey are fabulous Narcissus, Kris--most are from Colorblends, although some were here when we moved in. I love them especially because the rabbits don't eat them! We are slowly warming up again, and I'm surprised that so many plants survived just fine!
DeleteThe blue squill looks unreal. So blue!!! :O
ReplyDeleteI know--the buds are such a deep blue. Usually they don't last long at that stage, but our cold snap kept them tightened until the past couple of days. They're pretty flowers, too, but not quite the deep blue of the buds. :)
DeleteLovely spring blooms! We're chilly here, too--I'm not complaining about that, as our warm weather is about to start.
ReplyDeleteBtw, good for Wisconsin and its brave and patriotic voters.
Thank you, Tina. I'm hoping the really cold stuff is behind us. I think living in Texas from November through April, and then Wisconsin from May through October would be about perfect. ;-)
DeleteBeth, when I saw your title, a flask of brandy came to mind. Some think that kind of nip helps with the cold! We finally got a decent of amount of snow in the basin today, it has been so dry. But cold, as you say! Tomorrow night they predict a low of 1º F, yikes. I've been covering up some of my emerging plants on these single digit nights.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Another friend mentioned that, too! Not a bad idea to take a flask of brandy out into the garden, especially on a cold day! OMG...1F in April! That is truly crazy. Hope you're warming up (as we are) in the days ahead.
DeleteThe blue colored scilla flowers are unbelievably beautiful.You have a great collection of Narcissus . Happy blooms day.
ReplyDeleteThe daffodils are so cheery, and the rabbits don't eat them, so...win-win! The Scillas are blooming now--the buds are such a deep blue!
DeleteAll those daffs! Mine are later varieties, so I just have buds. And you got some great photos of your Hellebores. I think they are very hard to photograph with all those downward flowers. I tried to find 'Sandy Shores' last year with no luck. Love that outer petal/inner color variation. Can't wait for it to warm up again.
ReplyDeleteMost of the Narcissus I have are from Colorblends. It was a mix with some that bloom early and some that bloom later. Some are still buds now, while others are starting to fade. I agree--I really love 'Sandy Shores.' I grabbed a stick to gently lift the Hellebore blooms to photograph them. In the past, I've photographed them from the bottom up, but that's hard on the knees and the neck. ;-)
DeleteYou have some pretty spring blooms and the Daffodils and Hellebores all look so happy! We've had a mild winter and spring here as well, but we did get a terrible wind storm and cold just a couple for days ago. Now temperatures are getting back on track.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the weather is getting back to "normal"--for you and for me. I'm amazed at how well the plants weathered this cold snap--I guess they're not as fragile as I thought they were!
DeleteI like the Scilla - both of them. I hope they come back and multiply every year.
ReplyDelete-Ray
There are little patches of Scilla here and there in one area of the garden. I focused in on these two because of the angle, but yes--I do hope they continue to spread over time. :)
DeleteLove the Hellebores, but it is the bright yellows and blues that make your garden really shine!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog!
Have a blessed day!
Thanks, Lea. I enjoy visits to your cheerful blog. :)
DeleteGorgeous photos, Beth! Right now the snow has melted - again - and the sun is out. Still in the upper 30s, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jason. Gosh, I can't believe you had so much snow...we had none. But it would have been nice to have some for insulation when the temps were in the low 20s for three nights. (Did I just say that?!) Hope the cold and snow are behind us now!
DeleteUgh - my mom's garden in Ohio is suffering the same odd temperature shifts. So sorry, Beth! It looks like your flowers are doing just wonderfully, though. Happy Spring to you - I hope you warm up a little soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna. Our weather is looking a little more "normal" for the week ahead. Cool, but not cold. The benefit of cool weather is that the blooms will last longer. I'm very tired of the really cold stuff, though!
DeleteBecoming my favorite flower pics . . .
ReplyDeleteVery close up . . . and buds and petals.
Thank you . . .
Thank you, Lynne! What a wonderful time of year...it helps in dealing with the anxiety and sadness around us.
DeleteI wanted to say that I am glad you are well and that I started Nature Notes again.... I just found squill in my garden...Michelle
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are well, too, Michelle! I will check out Nature Notes. Thank you!
DeleteOur weather was a little off, too. Jan/Feb normally our rainiest months, were dry, then plenty of rain (by our standards) in March/April.
ReplyDeleteAren't hellebores great? They give so much for so little effort.
Here's hoping your cold weather is done for the season.
Oh yes, Hellebores are wonderful! And they bloom so early. I must have more! The aren't native of course, but I make an exception for Hellebores because they are so well-behaved and lovely. We are having a hard freeze tonight (May 8!) which is unusual. The weather after Tuesday looks excellent for putting the garden in. Yay!
DeleteYour blooms are beautiful but so help me, I'm thrilled winter is gone!!!! Oops. I shouldn't have said that so loud. Mother Nature might have heard me and decided to return one last time.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeTotheCountry
I hear you, Jeannie, and Mother Nature must have, too. ;-) I hope you're not experiencing the cold weather that we are!
DeleteNo such luck! We had a frost last night and will for another two nights! That is unreal. Our last frost should have been on April 15th.
DeleteJeannie