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| Early blooms: Helleborus, Narcissus, Scilla, Chionodoxa |
Spring is finally happening, and it's happening fast. The blooms in this first photo are still going, but with several days in the 80sF, they're fading. This is very unusual April weather for us.
The plants in the sunroom are happy, too, including the 'State Fair Mix' Zinnias (Z. elegans) in pots, which I'll plant outside in early May.
Yellow Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeidiana) has been blooming for weeks--such a vibrant color and form.
I was worried about the overwintered Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.), but they're coming on strong now. I hope they'll bloom again this summer.
The potted Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is happy, as well. It bloomed last summer; I hope it will happen again.
Purple Shamrocks (Oxalis triangularis) planted with English Ivy (Hedera helix) have persisted for many years, spending winters indoors and summers outside.
'Cannova Rose' Cannas (C. indica) have been reaching for the sun for several weeks now.
Oxalis 'Zinfandel' (O. vulcanicola) is blooming like crazy. I so enjoy the purple foliage with the bright yellow blooms.
My favorite Fuchsia, 'Marinka' has performed very well this winter. I trimmed back the plants in both pots, and they've come on strong, starting to bloom just in time for the return of the hummingbirds.
I won't be able to keep up with the changes outside much longer, so I'm only sharing a few bloomers at this point. Among them, Grape Hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are showing their stuff.
The Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) I planted from seeds collected the woods in back are very happy in their new location near the house.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) haven't been scarfed down by the rabbits yet. Some of them are caged, so that will help.
And of course the 'Red Riding Hood' Tulips (Tulipa greigii) are caged, or they'd be eaten for sure. They'll be blooming very soon.
With all the new blooms outdoors, many butterflies have returned, including this Red Admiral nectaring on Pachysandra (P. terminalis).
So much more to come in the weeks ahead! I hope your spring is pleasant, too. Best wishes for season ahead!
(Linking in to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens, even though I'm a day early. Thanks, Carol. :) )
I love all the photos of the spring flowers and new life after a long winter.
ReplyDeleteI do not think our banana plant survived this winter. I bring it inside and leave it in the cellar. It just seems to not want to wake up. I saved my dahlia tubers and a begonia this season and they are waking up since I potted them. :-) Yay!!! Our garden season as begun.
My overwintered bulbs, corms, and tubers are always iffy. But with time, they seem to come back. I really didn't think my Dahlias were going to re-grow, but I see them starting to poke up now. Good luck! Happy spring!
DeleteSo nice to see your Spring Beauties! They are a favorite (ours are C. lanceolata).
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely favorites, and so hardy! They emerged several weeks ago and survived several snows, freezes and thaws, and seasonal indecision...and now they're blooming! :)
DeleteYay! Spring has most assuredly arrived at lat!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. We'll have a temporary setback for a couple of days this next week, but with trees leafing out and blooming we're on the way!
DeleteI love that we have similar gardens with similar plants. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's so fun to compare notes, Pat. Happy Spring!
DeleteSo beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) I'm heading over to your blog to check out your news.
DeleteBeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Thanks, Lea. I so enjoyed your bloom day post, too. :)
DeleteIsn't this the BEST time of the year? Your photos are stunning! I haven't seen a butterfly yet -- can't wait. P. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. :) We had a little setback overnight, so most of the outdoor plants were flattened by the cold and snow. Fortunately, they perked back up later in the day. Come on spring! (Yes, true spring through early fall is the best stretch here in S. Wisconsin.)
DeleteTulips! Emerging foliage! Butterflies! Sunshine!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy Spring!
Thanks! Yes, spring has been great for the most part. We had a little setback last night with cold and snow, but fingers crossed that's the last of it. Happy spring to you, too!
DeleteThere are so many wonderful blooms in your garden and I am enjoying each and every one! It is wonderful seeing the butterfly too! Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteYes, spring was great until last night. We got some late cold and snow after a week of summer-like weather. Strange back and forth. It looks like the plants will be OK. Hope the butterflies are OK, too. Thanks for your encouragement. :)
DeleteOh my goodness, it is all so exciting! I wonder whether your blooming kalanchoe is new this year or if you've managed to bring it back into bloom from a previous year. I have a gorgeous, big orange one I'm hoping to keep going and maybe get to bloom again next year. The weather has been so strange--we had 92 on Friday, and today it may not even hit 50. Spring Beauties are one of my favorite wildflowers; it never occurred to me to try to transplant them in my own yard. I have some spots that should be perfect for them, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is exciting. :) The Kalanchoe has been with us for several years now. Good luck with yours! It seems to like the sunroom, and then it goes outside from May through mid-October. I'm so glad I transplanted some of the Spring Beauties, because they bloom much earlier (and bloom and bloom) in this spot closer to the house than out in the woods.
DeleteIt always surprises me how you go from snow to many flowers so quickly. Everything is lovely Beth! Do you grow Kalanchoe outdoors? I've had it as a houseplant several times.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. Yes, things happen fast here when they start to happen in the spring...and this spring has been slower than "normal." I only grow Kalanchoe in a pot. It stays in the house mid-autumn through April, and then outdoors May through mid-October.
DeleteIt is exciting to see the beautiful blooms! I'm ready for spring. We have only one more cold night in the forecast and after that, I think all the seedlings on the front porch will be ready for the garden.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Yes, it is! I'm ready for true spring, too. Looks like it will be here later this week, stretching into next week. Yay!
DeleteClaytonia is a magnificent little flower!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is! Such a great bloom for early pollinators. :)
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