Springtime Six: Flowers and Foliage

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.

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."

Six Saturday Buds and Blooms

I was thrilled to see many pollinators enjoying the flowers during yesterday's warm weather (high of 76F/24.4C). I'm joining in Garden Ruminations' Six on Saturday meme to share some of the garden highlights. Many plants are emerging, but today I'm only including things that were blooming yesterday or just about to bloom. The biggest hits with pollinators were the pollen-rich Tommies (Crocus tommasinianus) shown above.



I have several types of Snowdrops in the garden, and while the plant labels are long gone, I think these are Galanthus woronowii (left) and G. nivalis 'Flore Pleno' (right).



Some of the Mini-Daffodils (Narcissus 'Tete-a-Tete') are about to pop.



As are the various Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis).



This particular Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) always has just a tiny bloom every year; I'm not sure why, but it's cute. It will break bud soon, too.



Finally, the Siberian Squills (Scilla siberica) weren't open in the morning, but they began to bloom after the bright, warm day, and they'll continue their show in the days ahead.

Head on over to Garden Ruminations for garden highlights from all around the world.

Frozen Flowers in Vases

As many bloggers in many locales have mentioned, we've had a seesaw of weather since February--back and forth between record warmth and bitter cold. This reveals (even more dramatically than in a "normal" season) how hardy the late winter/early spring bloomers can be.



A few days ago, I picked these flowers in the morning when the temps were much below freezing; they were sadly plopped to the ground. Soon after, in vases, they seemed happier. They're still going strong today.



This Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) is the anchor of the group.



The Daffodils (Narcissus) include large-cupped...



...and curly lace varieties.



When I picked it, this bloom was frozen in its partial unfurling.



About a day later, it was nearly fully open, bright, and perky.

They make a "welcome spring" statement in the family room--way up high where the cat and dog can't reach them. And our extended forecast is looking much better, too. :)

I'm linking in with Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme, over at Rambling in the Garden. Head on over to see all the creative arrangements and beautiful combinations.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

IAVOM: Simple Early Season Treasures

Spring is happening early in my part of the world. Flowers began blooming in February, and many plants are breaking the soil surface preparing for the growing season ahead. With the exception of the Snowdrops, I rarely pick these early season flowers--for some reason I don't want to disturb them. ;-)



Because of this reluctance, I only picked a few, and I share a very simple vase/bowl.

Two of the Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) varieties have been in my garden for many years, and their cultivar was not listed. The one in the middle is Helleborus x hybridus 'Sandy Shores.' Also included are a few Crocuses (C. vernus) and some Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'). The Crocuses were closed when I picked them in the morning, and they opened a bit more later.

I also combined a tiny bouquet of 'Flore Pleno' with some Barrenwort foliage (Epimedium x warleyense) remaining from the previous season.

We'll have several days in the week ahead with temperatures below normal, while March, until now, has been unseasonably warm. I hope the blooms/plants outdoors will be OK.

I'm joining in with Cathy's In a Vase on Monday meme. Head on over to see the other amazing entries!

Garden Excitement Inside and Out

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. :)  )

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.

Wordless Signs of Hope

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'

Helleborus orientalis

Zinnia elegans 'State Fair Mix'

A Bit of a Nip on This Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

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.