Shared Grace and Savored Grace

Pollinator on Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'

It's that time of year when blog posts are out of date by the time I get them up and published. These photos are from two days ago, and some of these blooms are fading now. It's also the time of year, in my climate, when plants that bloom in a more staggered timeline in a warmer climate bloom all at once here in the north (USDA zone 5a).

Galanthus nivalis  'Flore Pleno'

Galanthus nivalis

Eranthus hyemalis

Blooms considered winter flowers in the south (Snowdrops and Winter Aconites) must wait until March or April to bloom here.

Crocus tommasinianus

Because of our cool temperatures but plenty of sun, the 'Tommie' Crocuses have been blooming for about a week now.

Crocus vernus

C. vernus

The larger Dutch Crocuses are blooming at the same time as the "earlier" flowers. (I find it fascinating how the same flower can look very different when photographed at different times of day, in different light, and from different angles.)

C. vernus 'Pickwick'

These striped beauties are in a very sunny spot. They appear to be multiplying and they seem to be favorites of the pollinators. I keep lava rocks and foil around them to discourage squirrels and chipmunks from digging, and rabbits from eating.

Narcissus 'Tete-a-Tete'

The tiny Daffodils are at their peak.

Trumpet Narcissus

Larger Narcissus are just beginning.

Hyacinthus orientalis

It won't be long for the Hyacinths.

Helleborus 'Sandy Shores'

Finally, the Hellebores definitely will be blooming today. This one, from two days ago, is a first bloom on a new plant for me: I'll look forward to its open face within hours. The other Hellebores, in a different spot, started opening yesterday.

During these difficult times, sharing our plant-love and gardening joys is more important than ever. That is our shared grace. On the day that I photographed these first flowers, I saw my first butterfly of the season. My heart jumped and I smiled, even though no one was looking. I didn't have my camera handy, and I wasn't able to follow it, so I don't know if it was a Mourning Cloak or an Eastern Comma, because it fluttered up and away too fast. But it was a sign of hope. It was a savored grace.

Words Are Lacking While Plants Are Growing

Rarely in my life have I found it difficult to communicate my thoughts through written words…but now is one of those times. It’s not for lack of blog post ideas; rather, none of these themes seem appropriate just now.

“This changes everything!” is a cliché that’s literally true right now for the vast majority of humans—many of us for the first time in our lives. Pandemics and global tragedies have happened before, but few of us currently living have had our lives turned upside-down as we are now.

Yes, we will get through this, but avoiding acknowledging the seriousness of the situation simply doesn’t feel right to me. So, this is my nod to these difficult times.

My garden is slowly waking, and I’m sure this blog will be quite active as the growing season progresses. But today, in mid-March 2020, as this novel coronavirus spreads in my community, my country, and throughout the world, I’m taking a pause to reflect on what’s ahead.

Each new emerging plant and blooming flower brings a little more hope. Please stay safe and healthy, my friends.

Wordless Emergence

Allium 'Globemaster'

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Daffodil mix (Narcissus hybrids)

Allium 'Ambassador'

'Orchid Escape' Is a Good Name for It

Tonight is the coldest night of the year here. While we've had a rather mild winter, a little lobe of Arctic air decided to visit in mid-February--my least favorite time of the year in Southern Wisconsin, even without a subzero cold blast. I'm ready for winter to end.

So, a couple of days ago, I headed over to Olbrich Botanical Gardens' Bolz Conservatory to see the current "Orchid Escape" display that will be in place through February. The orchids are displayed in five scenes--earth, water, air, and fire--representing the four classical elements.



Displays provide excellent educational information.

But most of all, observing the diverse orchids in a warm place was a treat on a cold winter day. The orchids weren't labeled, or if they were, I didn't want to dig around to find the tags. So I hope you'll forgive me for simply sharing the photos of these beauties, without naming them.























"Orchid Escape" is a great display and a great escape, for sure.