(Click on the photos to enlarge. My SLR is in the Nikon repair shop so these are with my Cannon point and shoot. I think it does pretty well and have enjoyed using it more now while the other one is out of commission.)
The only shrubs in bloom are the Forsythia and Pieris. Again, it's not much, but it's more than in many places, so you don't hear me complaining. I am anxious, however, for some LUSH greenery and color. I know I need to be patient, though;-) It seems every year I get this way...impatient! I am thankful for the pinks, blues, yellows and whites that I've found so far in my gardens and look forward to watching the show unfold.
There are buds on a few of the Narcissus and Hyacinth. As I was photographing the daffodil buds I also noticed one open flower on the Vinca...so that means there must be more on the way. I love the shade of purple. My neighbors daffodils are already in bloom. Mine are just a little slow to get going. I finally ordered more Narcissus (and other) bulbs online--although they won't be delivered until it's time for fall planting. I always forget to order, so it's probably just as well I've gotten it out of the way now, even if it does seem 'early'. Maybe next spring I'll have more variety to share.
Blooms:
Hellebore
Forsythia
Pieris Japonica 'Valley Valentine'
Buds that will soon burst forth:
Narcissus
Hyacinth
Crocus
These next few weeks will prove to be the 'turning point' in my garden, and new life will be popping up all over. There is bound to be quite a bit more 'excitement' here in April;-)
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*Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 15 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
I really need to make it a point to plant more early bloomers next year, still have nothing here in NJ. At least I get to enjoy your blooms, helps with the lack of patience. Great, great shots!
ReplyDeleteYour garden offerings are similar to ours: narcissus, crocus, daphne, hellebore, and everything else is attempting to spring forth. But it is happening! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm patiently [ahem] waiting for that turning point too. Nice shots of your bloomers.
ReplyDeleteJan, We are all very impatient about now. You seem to be several weeks ahead of me. I will enjoy your blooms vicariously.
ReplyDeletenellie
Wow Jan, you really do have a lot of blooms! Your season is a few weeks ahead of ours. Love those hellebores - they are so welcome this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to spring, although not impatiently. The older I get, the more happy I am enjoying each moment - rain or snow, cold or warm, sun or clouds. Life is so short, I'm not rushing anything, just savoring each moment, enjoying the present.
I am waiting for winter to turn to spring here. You are doing well for blooms at this time of year and your point and shoot did a good job capturing them.
ReplyDeleteI think we're all impatient at this time of year Jan.Each year I tell myself I'm going to plan for some early color in the garden, but it never happens. Maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteOh your blooms are doing great! Love the Hyacinth shots. They look lovely even as buds!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe first signs that spring is not far off are the best blooms! I love the hellebore! They are so dependable. Every year I plant more. I just can't get enough of them. Spring is only 4 days away! Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteLovely collages of your blooms Jan. April will be more lively here too! I think I love the budding stages equally as much as full blown blossoms.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have more blooms than I do! The longer and milder days are so nice.
ReplyDeleteMy own fault as I don't plant for early blooms. Mid-April is when my garden wakes up.
Everything's looking beautiful there, Jan. I think I'll have to plant more hellebores even though mine are very slow to appear this year. I just love their colors
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, I enjoyed your hellebores; I can't wait to add this genus to my garden. I wonder if your impatience for the arrival of spring comes from your years in Maine, where spring arrives all in a rush like some kind of sped-up time lapse photography. Especially after I've spent a spring in Maine (as I did last year), the gentle, gradual unfolding of spring in the mid-Atlantic region often seems excruciatingly slow to me. On the other hand, spring seems a long way off in Maine, where it is snowing today! -Jean
ReplyDeleteAh, Jan, sounds like you're enjoying the anticipation of the green, and the explosion of color. Sometimes, looking forward to something can be such joy. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteOur Spring came early here in GA and I have been at it when not down with this stinking cold or sinus issue! I was hoping I was not jumping the gun and yesterday the Saint told me the weatherman says we should not see any more frost temps! I am glad because now I dont have to worry about the plants I have put into the ground. I think you will enjoy the weekend as warm temps are expected...
ReplyDeleteWith all these promises of spring blooms, it won't be long now, Jan! Your hellebores are lovely--I found my first bud hiding away yesterday. I can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that it is a good thing I have my "right hand man," and it sure is. Fell in the garden (actually tripped and then lunged into a hole, and THEN Fell) and really damaged my hand...so I need Jeff!
Spring is galloping onward,
Sharon
Even though their numbers aren't huge I still think your late winter garden has some real beauties. And if I might, I'd like to gush over your plant labels on the hellebores. I immediately respect any gardener who is so intrigued by what a plant is called to place labels next to them. For me names can complete the appreciation of a beautiful plant.
ReplyDeleteThis looks very beautiful, I really like it. I really want to have my garden look like this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for my forsythia to bloom - thanks for sharing yours on this snowy day!
ReplyDeleteHello Jan, I am at the other end of the seasonal cycle here in Aus - everything putting on one last show before autumn really settles in. Sorry I haven't been by for awhile, I've had a bit of a blogging break - but it is just beautiful to see all the buds ready to burst forth in your garden!
ReplyDeleteHi John, thanks for stopping by! I've been planting more and more early bloomers each year. It just takes time, and money! By this time I am hoping you have some blooms. I'm late responding to this post;-)(Patience is hard to come by when the weather is yucky and all you want to do is garden!)
ReplyDeleteHi Di, thanks for coming by. I'm glad you've got spring blooms going on there, too! They are always so uplifting to see after a long winter!
Thanks Grace! I hope by now you've got your patience back. I think mine has finally returned;-)
Beyond My Garden, thanks for stopping by...hope by now you are seeing some signs of spring?! Or, perhaps it's still cold and snowy where you are. Hang in there...
Hi Linda, Donna and Jane...thanks for stopping by;-)
Chandramouli, it's so good to hear from you! Thanks for visiting! I hope you are back to blogging again;-)
Hi Karin, glad to have you stop by! I am planting as many hellebore as I can, too. I love them as well. Happy Spring!
You know Carol, I think I like the buds almost as much as the blooms, too;-) April will be magical!!
Cameron, glad you stopped by...I am starting to plant more and more earlier bloomers. I still don't have very many, but it's a start!
Hi Jennifer, good to see you here! Yes, plant more hellebore! I love them and think everyone should have them;-) They are still forming buds here in VA...kind of slow here, too. You need to look for plants that bloom early in colder climates. I think some varieties bloom sooner than others.
Hi Jean, yes, you should add hellebors. They are really interesting plants! I don't know if my impatience is from having grown up in the north...or just my age and getting a little more cranky than I used to be!!
Hi Town Mouse, so nice to have you stop by! Spring is here, finally. It's still a bit chilly though. But it's a joyous time of year, that's for sure;-)
Hi Skeeter, so glad your spring came early this year and hope you are feeling much better by now! We have had some warm days but believe it or not, they are forecasting snow for Sunday...I can't believe it!!
Hi Rose, I'm glad you've got hellebores to look forward to seeing, as well! By now, I'm sure you've had actual flowers, not just buds. I'm replying over a week after I wrote this post. Thanks for visiting;-)
Dear Sharon, I hope your hand is better by now and not seriously hurt...that sounds terrible! I'm sorry to hear that! I haven't been by to see how you're doing with it. Take care of yourself!!
James, so nice of you to stop by and say hi! Thanks for such positive comments and compliments! I love putting markers by my plants and look forward to writing them out and placing them! I want to know what plants are where so I can keep track of them...so the labels really do help me a lot. They look kind of cute, too...
Indooroopillyflowers...thanks for stopping by. Your comment is such a nice compliment, and I appreciate it.
Sarah, thanks for visiting. I sure hope by now you are seeing some blooms on your forsythia...but since mine are still just starting, many haven't even got buds yet, yours probably haven't! I hope you'll get some blooms soon up there in Maine;-)
Hi Heidi, You are entering your cold season and we are just coming out of ours. Glad you are blogging again and thanks for stopping by;-)