Wordless Remains in the Vase

Narcissus opening: It was a bud in the vase from my previous post.

Indoor/Outdoor Blooms in a Vase

The weather is slowly warming, and a few things are blooming or just about to bloom outdoors. The day I gathered flowers for this little vase, however, it was chilly, and I clipped a few things quickly. I added a couple of companions from the sunroom for color and effect.



It's a cute little collection for a bud vase.



The Gerbera Daisy (G. jamesonii) forms the colorful focal point.



This Daffodil (Narcissus) bud and foliage from the garden give it structure and height. Very soon, many of these bright spring beauties will be blooming all over the garden.



Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), another sunroom sample, adds bright and cheery highlights.



And Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno') add bright, white edging to the rim.

It's a cheery little arrangement.

Head on over to Cathy's Rambling in the Garden to see more floral arrangements, or to join in the "In a Vase on Monday" meme!

One of Each Daffodil in a Vase

It's time for In a Vase on Monday, and I thought it would be fun to combine one of each variety of Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) blooming in the garden. Daffodils of various types have been blooming here since early March, and they continue to put on a show. Most of these were from a Colorblends mix I planted years ago, and they continue to flourish. I'm not sure of the variety names, and I don't know if this mix is still available, but there are many mix options. Here they are in no particular order:















Since I set those in the vase a few days ago, other slightly different ones have bloomed:

Similar to one in the vase, but with orange and yellow petals in place of salmon.

Similar to the dramatic, central flower in the vase, but with larger orange petals.

I can't be sure, but it seems like some of the original varieties have hybridized: There are just so many variations. Has this ever happened in your garden?



It was fun to hunt for this combination. 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 of beautiful plants!

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!

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!

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.