Magic Magnolia Buds

Magnolia stellata

The fluffy opening buds of Magnolias are so fascinating; I think I enjoy them almost (almost) more than the open flowers, themselves. Many of the Magnolia trees around here have suffered slight frost damage during the past week as we flirted for several nights with nighttime lows hovering slightly above and below 32F/0C. Now it's a little warmer, so they're bursting into bloom.

There's no denying the beauty and the magic of the buds AND the blooms.

Blooms, Buds, and Beginnings

Spring is really happening now. I was starting to wonder...



Because of the cool/cold weather we've had in April, some plants that were starting to bloom a month ago are still blooming. I think this is the longest the Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) have lasted. I believe this is 'Flore Pleno.'



The plant label for these Snowdrops is long gone, so I don't know their cultivar, but they are cuties.



The Tommies (Crocus Tommasinianus) and the Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are still blooming, too.



They're so hopeful and hardy.



The Rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum) is making more progress.

And now it's time to celebrate many new garden happenings.







Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)!





Crocuses (Crocus vernus)!







Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis)!



Siberian Squill (Scilla Siberica)!



Other plants will be filling in and blooming very soon, including Blooming Heart (Dicentra spectabilis).



Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis). (It's a tiny one.)



The Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) have emerged.



The Alliums (A. giganteum) are budding. (This is either 'Globemaster' or 'Ambassador'; they're interplanted in this spot and I'll know when it blooms.) 



The Forsythias (unknown dwarf hybrid) will be blooming this weekend.

Along with the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), which seem to have appeared out of nowhere. I've expanded the caging after this photo was taken; rabbits like to eat them.

Yay! Spring has sprung!

Hope for True Spring

Finally, we seem to be turning the corner on "wintry" weather. The Snowdrops I included in my last post, two weeks ago, are still blooming with abandon. I guess longer bloom time is one benefit of a cold start to spring.

Now, with a slight warm-up, the earth is awakening.



Alliums are making good progress.



Rhubarb is emerging.





The Hellebores will bloom very soon.

And the Crocuses are now the stars of the show.

They all bring hope that true spring weather is just around the corner.