Spring Is Emerging

The garden is waking.

I know this doesn't look like much for gardeners in warmer climates. But here in the Northern U.S., the first emergence of spring plants after months of below-freezing weather is truly liberating. Here's a sample of six:



Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) partnered with a sprinkling of last season's Crabapples.



Alliums (A. giganteum) decorating the warm south side of the house.



Mixed mosses covering a burnt log, with their sporophytes reaching for the sky.



'Tête-à-têtes' backed by larger mixed Daffodils (Narcissus spp.).



Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) whirling and spreading under the leaf mulch, preparing to stand and flower.

And Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) ready to burst after a bath with fresh raindrops.

Happy spring! What's happening in your garden? Consider joining "Six on Saturday" over at Garden Ruminations. Thanks to Jim for hosting!

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!

Blooms, Buds, and Raindrops

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno')

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Hybrid Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus 'Sandy Shores')

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

Tommies (Crocus tommasinianus)

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Wordless Snowdrops

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'

Springtime Magic

We seem to be having an early, pleasant start to spring this year, here in Southern Wisconsin. It's been warm enough to encourage the first spring blooms, and cool enough to keep them blooming for many days. Some have been pummeled with rain showers; while those in bud before the rain continue the show.

Here's a mix of outdoor highlights.

The Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) started the excitement, and they seem to have an exceptionally long bloom time. They still look roughly like this photo, which was taken a couple of weeks ago.

The Tommies (Crocus tommasinianus) followed soon after, and some are still blooming today.

 


Several patches of Dutch Crocuses (C. vernus) are also blooming here and there.



And the Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) parade has begun, starting with the tiny 'Tete-a-Tetes.'



A few others are blooming, too, but their display will peak in the days ahead.



Same for the Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis), most of which are just on the verge of fully opening.

We've had a nice mix of bright, sunny days and rainy, life-encouraging days. The sun has coaxed the indoor plants to grow and bloom, as well.



I've been thrilled to see that the 'Marinka' Fuchsias I overwintered are actually blooming already! I won't be able to put them outside until late April or early May, but they'll brighten the sunroom until then.



I divided and propagated the 'Autumnale' Fuchsias, so I should have plenty to fill more hanging baskets and planters. The foliage on this hybrid is ever-changing.



The Purple Shamrocks (Oxalis triangularis) continue their long lives as great companions to the ever-growing and hardy English Ivy (Hedera helix), some of which even survived two weeks of polar weather in an outdoor pot!



I saved two varieties of Kalanchoe (K. blossfeldiana) that were included in condolence bouquets. They'll be happier outside in the summer sun, but I'm thrilled that they're actually blooming again.



The Gerber Daisy (G. jamesonii) never fails to flower this time of year. The foliage is a little ragged, but wow--those blooms! The foliage will thrive outside this summer with its other potted companions.

It does appear we're on a slow, but steady trend toward warmth, and it's encouraging to know even more garden excitement is just around the corner. Many, many plants are emerging, but they will have to wait for a future post...

'Subtle' Signs of Spring: Inside and Out

Overwintered Supertunia Vista Bubblegum

Zinnia seedlings (Z. elegans hybrids)

Overwintered Gerbera Daisy hybrid

Lettuce seedlings under the coldframe

Hellebore buds (Helleborus orientalis)

Daffodil buds (Narcissus spp.)

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno')

Unknown (Allium?) ... What did I plant here?

More Hellebore buds (Helleborus orientalis)

Rhubarb (for future pie :) )

Spring Break at Balboa Park's Desert Garden

Back in March 2016, we had a family event in San Diego, so we made a vacation of it and did some sightseeing and exploring on the side. I've done a few previous posts on San Diego's botanical highlights.

Today, I'm focusing on Balboa Park's Desert Garden. I honestly only spent about two or three hours touring Balboa Park, and although there's much, much more to explore on a return trip, it's astonishing how many amazing treasures I discovered. Note that very few of the Desert Garden plants were marked (and I'm less familiar with these), so please correct me if I've identified them incorrectly.

The Desert Garden and Rose Garden are set off a bit from the rest of Balboa Park.



As you walk the bridge over Park Blvd., you notice that even the medians are planted with lovely xeric plants.



Looking back over the bridge, this offers some perspective--most of Balboa Park is on the other side.



At the edge of the Desert Garden, you get a nifty canyon view overlooking the highway below.



When I was there, the Ice Plants (Delosperma cooperi) were blooming.



A stunning sight to see after four months of bitter winter.



I always notice the lizards when I travel. I know--when you see them all the time, it's not a big deal. But we have only a few lizards in Wisconsin.



This cute, little hummingbird followed me around the Desert Garden. I think it was a rufous, although I didn't get close enough for a positive ID.



This grouping of Golden Barrel Cactuses (Echinocactus grusonii) was impressive framed by Statice flowers (Limonium sinuatum).



Blooming Barrel Cactuses (Ferocactus spp.) were plentiful, too. The yellow flowers were yummy in the California sunshine.



I love the common name of this one: Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis). It looks soft as a pillow, but be careful! I also like the Oxalis blooms floating in among the grouping: I don't know if this was intentional, but it was pleasant.



The Sennas (Cassias?) were blooming golden yellow, too. I think this is either Senna surattensis or Cassia leptophylla. These two genera seem to be under review and have similar histories and purposes. Anyway, they're glorious in bloom.



No question about the drama and awesomeness of the Torch Aloes (A. arborescens). They seem much at home in San Diego, although they're native to Southern Africa.



How about this awesome Cow's Horn Euphorbia (E. grandicornis)?



Lion's Tail (Leonotis leonurus) seems to beckon hummingbirds.



This grouping was my favorite in the Desert Garden: a beautiful Artichoke Agave (A. parryi), nestled between Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) and Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks (Senecio cylindricus).

In this cold, wet transition from winter to spring here in Wisconsin, I'm longing for a warm, dry day. These pleasant memories help...a little.