Every month on the 15th I shake my head and say 'already?' Yes, it's already time, once again, for
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens.
*(In fact, it's past time, now, as I'm getting this post published a day late). While I don't have tons of flowers in bloom, I have to say there are quite a few more than were available for
January's bloom day post.
Hellebores are still in bud and bloom. Some still look very similar to photos from last month, while others have opened and continue to do so. I will probably have Hellebores in my blog posts in March and April, perhaps even beyond that.
 |
| H. x ballardiae "Pink Frost", a little less direct sunlight in this photo |
 |
Helleborus x nigercors (Winter Rose)
HCG "Green Corsican"
 |
 |
| H. hybridus |
 |
| Helleborus niger 'Jacob' (blooming since November and still producing buds and blooms) |
 |
| H. hybridus "Red Lady" |
Several varieties of Galanthus are scattered throughout the yard, all opening at various times through the winter and early spring--so they will continue to pop up when I least expect it. There are 'Giant Snowdrops', 'Common Snowdrops' and some that truly look like miniatures that are only now beginning to show the teensiest sign of a bud.
 |
| Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop) |
 |
| G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop) |
 |
| G. elwesii (Giant Snowdrop) |
Here is the only Scilla that began to pop out a tiny blue blossom a couple of days ago--so it shouldn't be too long until the whole flower begins to unfold. I planted a few more of them last year...
 |
| ...also known as Squill |
Crocus 'Romance' surprised me yesterday afternoon in one area of the garden, although like the Scilla, there is only one that showed its pretty head. The rest are all still in hiding.
And this one particular Hyacinth has been pushing out a bud for over a week and there is the faintest hint of blue.
 |
| Hyacinth (blue) |
Golden Groundsel has evergreen foliage, generally in the heart-shaped leaf form. However, when it gets ready to form buds, they develop in longer, toothier-edged leaves. The buds start out reddish-purple, as they are right now (below):
 |
| Senecio aureus aka Packera aureus (Golden Groundsel, a native groundcover) |
Last year, Golden Groundsel's buds looked like this in mid-March:
 |
| Golden Groundsel March, 2012 |
Later in the spring, they will turn bright yellow and look like an entirely different plant. Pretty cool! Here is a photo from last spring, the end of April:
 |
| Native Packera aureas (Golden Groundsel), April 28, 2012 |
Lastly...I found this mushroom/fungi growing on the edge of a small treestump in the yard. I thought it could be considered a 'bloom' so I'm including it :)
Narcissus have yet to flower in my yard, but foliage has been up for some time. I seem to have some late blooming daffodils...I guess I need to add some earlier bloomers.
I've been noticing all the Monarda foliage spreading throughout an area of the side garden. Maybe it will put on a good show this year, as I don't remember having so much of it in past years. See all the squirrel holes (or deer tracks?)...they are all over the gardens.
 |
| Native Monarda didyma (Beebalm) foliage |
Be sure to stop over at Carol's
May Dream's Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in mid-February.
What gifts have you discovered today?
Until next time,
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.
Beautiful Hellebores, Jan, but that Crocus really caught my eye. It's gorgeous. Loved the native Packera too. It does look like some creature or other has been frequenting your garden quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bernie. I would guess you can't grow hellebores in your area? But you certainly have some gorgeous blooms down your way to make up for it. I have 2 crocus' blooming at the moment and a couple of snowdrops so it's still not real spring just yet...but it's coming.
DeleteYour Hellebores are so pretty, Jan. I was just thinking how wonderful these plants are, blooming at the end of winter before there are any other signs of life, but then I see you have crocuses and snowdrops blooming, too! Now I'm getting antsy for spring to arrive in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose! I still only have 2 crocuses starting to flower...not a lot yet. The daffodils have not even begun to bloom so spring hasn't arrived just yet...but we get teased a lot with spring-like days followed by frigid weather. It will be nice when it warms up for good:) I am sure you can't wait since your area is so much colder than my area of VA...but even here, I know we could still get a blizzard before March is over!!I hope you have some Hellebores to enjoy when they aren't covered in snow:)
DeleteOh Jan… Hellebores do make my hear sing – especially the Orientalis ones! A belated Happy GBBD to you, great to see what is growing and coming into bloom with you – lots going on there. I do love Spring :-D
ReplyDeleteHi Shirl, spring is coming...but it's hard to know what to expect...as one day its frigid and the next it's kind of nice; we could still get snow in March. I'm enjoying the hellebores too...I need to pop over to your blog. I'm sure you've got some lovely ones, plus snowdrops.
DeleteOh boy I have nothing except 6 more inches of snow and frigis cold today...
ReplyDeleteSorry Donna! It will eventually melt though and they will be there, waiting to smile at you:) We could actually have snow here any time in March...so mine could end up covered with the white stuff at any point. But they are great plants because they will still be blooming after snow and cold...fun plants to have.
DeleteMy hellebores haven't started blooming yet since they are seedlings given to me from a friend. Yours are beautiful! I may have to wait til next winter. I've started a garden club called Dirtworks and our first get together is next Saturday. I'd love to have you stop by! Our first get together is Sat. Feb 23. Contact me at dirtworksgardenclub@gmail.com if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tammy. I left you a message about it. right now I am up to my ears in 'stuff'...from master garden things to substitute teaching to the volunteer responsibilities I have with my son's 2 orchestras and his crew team PLUS actually attending his many activities which take up most evenings, saturdays and sundays...it is crazy--but i like (most) of it :) I will check your schedule (or you let me know) and if I can manage to come sometime I will. I think it's great that you've found a way to get together with other like-minded folks!
DeleteStill no blooms here, but I found some buds today, so it won't be long now!
ReplyDeleteno it won't be long Robin, hang in there :) Spring always comes!
DeleteYou're about a month ahead of me, so it's fun to see the future through your blog. ;-) That Golden Groundsel is fascinating--the way the buds start out purple and turn golden. I think I might have seen them before, but didn't know what they were called. Happy belated GBBD!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth...it really is a fascinating plant...and it spreads really well too :) I have dug up clumps and placed it around my back gardens and I like how it thrives. It stays in clumps though so is not invasive, plus it's a native so what's not to like:! Your spring will be here before you know it, just hang on:)
DeleteBeautiful pictures! I'll be happy to see spring.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda!! I cannot wait for spring either. This is really not spring...just a 'taste'...we could still get a blizzard before March is over with !!
DeleteHi Jan, So nice to see you back blogging again. Are you going to tell me you've been blogging forever and where have I been? I wouldn't be surprised. I've been out of the loop. Anyway, your photos are gorgeous and I love your hellebores. Also, I'm jealous of your Monarda. I think I've managed to kill mine once again. It never lasts more than a year in my garden. Oh well... I'll enjoy yours vicariously. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace, no, I have not been blogging regularly...just a post now and then, so you probably haven't missed much. DOn't worry, I've been out of the loop too...and rarely get to visit any other bloggers. I 'want' to, but I am just in kind of deep with a lot of other things right now, simply writing a post now and then is almost all I can manage. I am glad to be friends with many bloggers on FB because that way I feel we are connected even if we are not always talking on our blogs :)
DeleteI first encountered Pakera last year in full bloom, and you are right. I would not recognize it in winter form.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool, isn't it Les?? A must-have plant for me, now that I have it in my garden. It divides well and survives heat and cold, shade and sun...so it's a keeper.
DeleteI love your Hellebores. I was so envious of everyone's Hellebore photos last spring, I finally added Hellebore 'Tutu' to the garden last spring. Now she's just sitting there, taunting me, in bud, but no blooms yet. I'm impressed how much you have flowering already!
ReplyDeleteThank you Claire! I'm sure your hellebore will be lovely when it opens up. I have enjoyed mine very much over the last few years. A plant I won't go without!
DeleteYou have a nice variety of Hellebores!! I like the white ones as they really jump out in the shady part of the garden. The mushroom is actually the fruit, wishing my logs would fruit soon!!
ReplyDeleteI am getting a pretty good variety of hellebores, Janet...although I always want to add just one more:) I've lost a few, over the years, as they were planted in areas that were too moist. A couple aren't looking too good right now...they're in the wrong spot..not enough drainage. Most of them are looking good this year though, and I've learned to spray the buds with deer/squirrel repellent. Deer don't generally like them, but I have very rude squirrels in my yard and they like to chew. So far, I've only had 3 buds lying on the ground from the little critters, and that was before I sprayed the Bobbex.
DeleteBeautiful hellebores! I think I may SOON (next year?) have enough shade to begin growing those here.
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are gorgeous Freda...but you will enjoy hellebores if you find the right places for them. They bloom from Nov. on (depending on the variety) so it's fun to have a bloom in the middle of winter!
DeleteYou really have a nice selection of Hellebores. Mine will not be blooming for a while yet, so it is nice seeing those that are.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna...I know you are anxious to see yours:) Have faith, the snow will melt and they'll be there waiting to show off their pretty faces!
DeleteFlowers in February? It's hard to imagine as it has been snowing all week. Thanks for sharing your lovely blooms. Happy GBBD, Jan! It's so nice to reconnect.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah! In Maine, I totally understand how it's hard to imagine flowers in February :)
DeleteYou have a wonderful blooming winter garden. I want to add more varieties of hellebores. Yours are lovely. Those holes remind me of the vole holes that I find around my garden. It is a constant battle. Enjoy your lovely winter garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Yes, it's a constant battle in the garden! I'm now fighting some intruder who has been destroying the hellebores. I think it's a raccoon. I'm working on a solution. Always a battle maintaining sanity in the garden, even though we 'garden for wildlife'!! LOL.
Delete