Spring isn't speedy this year in my part of the world, but it's slowly and methodically moving forward. Every year is different, and I'm trying to enjoy the labored unrolling of warmth and little bits of beauty. I'm joining in Garden Ruminations' Six on Saturday meme to share this week's highlights.
First, we have the Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), shown above, beginning to show their stuff. The collection I have combines a mix of varieties from Colorblends and other beauties added over the years. One of my favorite things about Daffodils is that rabbits don't eat them.
Second, the Tulips are getting ready to bloom. These are 'Red Riding Hood' Tulips (Tulipa greigii). Unfortunately, rabbits DO eat these beauties, so I've had to place them behind fencing, or mix them in with rabbit-repellent powder and/or Alliums or other plants the little hoppers don't like.
Third, speaking of Alliums, the 'Summer Beauty' Alliums (A. tanguticum) have emerged around the mailbox. I have some new Tulips planted among them...fingers crossed the rabbits will leave them alone.
Fourth, I have a tiny grouping of Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) tucked in a small corner of a shady bed. They bloom later than most others in the area. And in my garden, they seem to be the only Aconites that survive from year to year. Maybe I need to try an entirely different spot, with more sun for an earlier display.
Second, the Tulips are getting ready to bloom. These are 'Red Riding Hood' Tulips (Tulipa greigii). Unfortunately, rabbits DO eat these beauties, so I've had to place them behind fencing, or mix them in with rabbit-repellent powder and/or Alliums or other plants the little hoppers don't like.
Third, speaking of Alliums, the 'Summer Beauty' Alliums (A. tanguticum) have emerged around the mailbox. I have some new Tulips planted among them...fingers crossed the rabbits will leave them alone.
Fourth, I have a tiny grouping of Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) tucked in a small corner of a shady bed. They bloom later than most others in the area. And in my garden, they seem to be the only Aconites that survive from year to year. Maybe I need to try an entirely different spot, with more sun for an earlier display.
Fifth, the Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) are about to pop, which is definitely a favorite event for me in the spring garden. :)
Sixth, the larger Dutch Crocuses (Crocus vernus) are joining the tiny Tommies (C. tommasinianus), and all their colors are bright and cheery.
It's a colorful, happening time in the garden. For horticultural highlights from around the world, head on over to Garden Ruminations for "Six on Saturday."
Indeed, we can see that there is a bit of a gap between your spring and ours which is already well underway, but you will quickly catch up with us! Fred
ReplyDeleteYes, Fred, thank you for sharing your spring scenes, because they provide hope for those of us in slightly colder spring climates. This time of year is so fun, watching the changes unfold. :)
DeleteLovely Daffodils, I'm giving them a bit more of a go this year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Daffodils are stalwarts in my garden. As I mentioned, the Tulips are a bit more challenging. I gave up on planting new ones for a while, but placing them behind fencing and trying some other tricks seem to help. ;-)
DeleteWeirdly, I've seen daffodils and crocus, but no tulips here yet. I'm going to have to go investigate their absence....
ReplyDeleteThat is surprising, since you're in a slightly warmer climate. Keep us posted on your findings! :)
DeleteIt's so nice to see things springing into life, love this time of year!
ReplyDeleteOh, I so agree. It helps to make up for the frustrations of the long, cold winter. I like a little winter, but it just goes on too long here...
DeleteI'm glad your spring blooms have arrived to celebrate the season with you, Beth!
ReplyDeleteHi Kris: Thanks. It's a hopeful time of year. I really do love living here, from May through October. And November, December, March, and April are OK. February...blech. ;-)
DeleteI love your collection of blooms! The Daffodils, Crocus, Hellebores and Winter Aconites are all beautiful and giving a huge welcome to Spring!
ReplyDeleteHi Lee: Yes, spring is truly happening now. It's not all at once, like it is some years, but there's something to be said for this gradual transformation. Happy Spring to you!
DeleteLovely daffodils and all the other spring flowers, they make a super show! Winter aconites are the one plant that I can't grow, they just never appear twice for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pauline. The spring flowers are so great to see each year...they certainly are troopers in this climate. Yes, I haven't had as much luck with the Winter Aconites either. I think I'm going to order more, and place them in a slightly sunnier spot.
DeleteThe hellebores are such a pretty colour. I keep saying I will grow some but I'm not sure they will survive. I really do love them so maybe I should give them a try
ReplyDeleteHellebores (some species) are native in your part of the world, I think. They aren't native here, but they seem to perform well, and they don't spread much, so no worries about them being invasive. Good luck if you try them. They are definitely an early spring favorite for me. :)
DeleteI do sympathise with you about rabbits and their appetite for garden plants. It doesn’t take them long to scoff the contents of a border if they take a fancy to what’s growing there. My daughter in the US has rabbit & deer that come to feast and it can be so disappointing to lose your spring plants. I must tell her to buy some daffodils for next year - I didn’t know rabbits don’t like them. Your little Winter Aconites and Hellebores are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine: Thanks for letting me know it was you. I need to figure out a way to adjust the sign-in to require names. Anyway, yes, it IS very frustrating to spend money and time and planting effort, only to have the long-eared tyrants eat the plants. I've given up on so many plants that they favor. I do have a safely protected/fenced area where the rabbits don't go, so the Tulips are safe there. We rarely have deer here because we're near a busy, open urban area, so the deer don't have enough places to hide.
DeleteI forgot to sign in with my last comment!
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers and stunning photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The blooms and plants are so inspiring...especially this time of year. :)
DeleteI enjoy the photos of the hellebores, since they generally don't do well here in Texas, so it's always a treat to see these little beauties, Beth. Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: I must say, I'm very happy that Hellebores like the climate here. They do very well but they don't spread much...perfect garden plants. Plus, they're among the first blooms to welcome in spring. :)
DeleteSo pretty! I only have the miniature daffodils, Tete-a-tete, and they are done already.
ReplyDeleteTete-a-tetes are so fun, too. Mine are still blooming since we've been rather cold. It's fun to have minis and regular-sized Daffodils blooming at the same time.
Deleteyour garden is coming along very nicely!! i have yet to see any tulips here in Ohio, but we do have the daffodils, and the lenten roses in bloom ... as well as magnolia trees and redbuds. exciting!
ReplyDeleteHi Ren: Thanks for stopping by! Gosh, the Redbud and Magnolia bloom time is so special. I've seen lots of buds on the local Magnolias, but I hope they'll be OK with the very cold temps of the next few days.
DeleteOh I just love it. :-) I worked in the garden yesterday. It felt so good to see all the green poking up.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it does feel wonderful after our long, cold winters, doesn't it? Enjoy the fun spring projects, and the nice weather in the extended forecast!
DeleteSigh ... envy ... However at least the tulip leaves are up now!
ReplyDeletein my yard (want to be clear :)
DeleteHi Hollis: It is exciting to see the Tulip foliage emerge, isn't it? They are definite signs of spring. Enjoy!
DeleteThe daffodil images look great, all the flowers are beautiful. Great to see aconite again, mine disappeared a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom: Thanks. :) I wish I could grow more Winter Aconites. They are lovely little flowers, but they seem just a bit picky about their planted location. I need to try some other spots.
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