In the midst of a very difficult week, I found myself sitting in the garden, seeking solace among the flowers. But unlike the midsummer garden with its large and abundant flowers, the early spring garden calls the gardener off the garden swing or bench to get closer to the earth to become immersed in flowers. From a distance, all Snowdrops look alike,
but up close, on inspection, their variety is revealed.
Observing the Crocuses from their level shows lovely brushstrokes and subtle coloration.
To find the emerging shoots poking up out of the earth, the gardener must get close.
The dark leaves of Mertensia virginica remind me of cabbage.
Polemium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven' sprouts the color of ruby cabernet before turning cream and green.
The tiny new leaves of Alchemilla mollis hold drops of dew.
To find the emerging shoots poking up out of the earth, the gardener must get close.
The dark leaves of Mertensia virginica remind me of cabbage.
Polemium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven' sprouts the color of ruby cabernet before turning cream and green.
The tiny new leaves of Alchemilla mollis hold drops of dew.Up close, the flowers share their secrets. This one dreams of being a ballerina.
These Crocuses think they're mushrooms.
This little yellow one feels like the odd man out.
These sprouts are having a Sci-Fi fantasy that they are creatures from another world.
Get down on your knees, look closely, and see what your flowers have to say. They might surprise you.
These Crocuses think they're mushrooms.
This little yellow one feels like the odd man out.
These sprouts are having a Sci-Fi fantasy that they are creatures from another world.
Get down on your knees, look closely, and see what your flowers have to say. They might surprise you.
39 comments:
Great macro photogaphy!
Interesting and artistic, too!
Cameron
Not only do these little beauties becon you closer I always want to touch them. Like precious jewels taken out of Mom's jewlery box for special occasions. Spring is special.
I feel like I should wipe the dirt off my knees after seeing your great pictures!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Good morning! You are so right...I love getting close to these little flowers...they are a joy each spring and make me smile...Your photographs are splendid and the Virginia Bluebells do look exactly like little cabbages emerging. Have a wonderful day in your garden! gail
What beautiful Photos, the snow drops are beautiful. What flower is
on the last photo?
I'm sorry you've been having a difficult week, MMD. Your garden photos cheered ME immeasurably, so I hope they bring you equal solace. And you and I belong to the snowdrop adoration club...I wish they lasted all season, but I suppose we'd take them more for granted then, wouldn't we?
Beautiful photos, MMD. Springtime not only makes you take a closer look, but also to appreciate the beauty of small miracles before your eyes. Looks like your garden is really coming to life right now. I hope the coming week goes more smoothly for you.
Fabulous photos MMD. There is something to be said for being down so close and personal with your planted treasures.... besides at this time of year, it's the only way you can heare the delicate song that is humming through the soil, awakening all of our beauties from their nocturnal winter slumber!
Refreshing perspective on the new life in your garden! Love the Alchemilla ballerinas--and I think I need some of that Mertensia! Sorry you had a tough week. Hope it's going better.
“All my hurts
My garden spade can heal.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Getting down on hands and knees to observe the spring flowers ensures you get a nice long drink of that fresh earth smell. That's almost as good as a bouquet of flowers.
Thanks, Cameron!
Lisa - I'm another plant toucher. They are like little gems.
Carol - dirty knees are a small price to pay for such beauty.
Gail - I'll bet there's plenty to smile about in your garden today.
Cathy - the last shot is of the emerging Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis (I think it's hyemalis).
Jodi - true, Snowdrops are more special because of their fleeting beauty.
Rose - thanks, things are better now, so I can just enjoy working in the garden
Teza - well said! I'm getting good vibes from the earth all right.
Donna - I can't imagine spring without Mertensia.
Pam - there is a scent to good garden soil that is unique & wonderful.
It is so wonderful to see things just beginning to burst forth in your garden! I love your interpretations of their thoughts...
Hmmm, I'm imagining myself down on my belly in the street, getting a closer look at the flowers in the corner bed. I can just see the neighbors' rolling their eyes!
Great pictures!
MMD, Some weeks are more difficult than others... but hopefully the journey into your garden was "just what the doctor ordered!" It surely picked my spirits up to see what's happening over there. :-) Happy Spring!!
Loverly, MMD. I know your week was horrific, and I'm glad you got a little nature into your life. I love the line about one who thought she was a ballerina. Happy Spring my friend.
The main problem with getting down on the ground is getting back up! But I do like to look at things close up. Love the mushroom crocus and the Alchemilla mollis (it has my last name in it, so I think of it as MY plant-ha ha!).
Thankfully we have our gardens to take us away from
Your Crocus and Snowdrop photos are delightful. I love the emerging foliage photos too. There is an other-worldliness to the new growth sometimes. Hope you have a relaxing and fun weekend!!
oops ~ I didn't finish off my first sentence. The flowers were too much of a distraction! Just wanted to say that our gardens help to distract us from our daily cares. Hope your weekend is a restful and fun one. (still buried in snow here!)
I hope you found the comfort you were seeking. I know being in the garden has often helped me through difficult times.
I'm sorry your week was difficult. It's usually comforting to me to out in the garden taking pictures. It is so nice to see your spring blooms!
It sounds like you were indeed comforted by your garden. Lovely post!
It does the soul good to get down to the level of the spring flowers.
I hope this coming week is a better one for you.
Your pictures are very beautiful and it is good to see more and more new flowers appearing. Yes there is something very calming and uplifting about being in the garden - soothing to the soul.
Just a few more weeks and I'll be sitting on my steps contemplating the garden. I don't get on my knees much but I love just zoning out on the plants.
Hi MMD,
Sorry to hear you had a hard week ... I've had a few of those recently myself, but between the emerging flowers here and sweet little Hanna, I've had ample comfort.
Looks like we have a lot of crocus and snowdrops in common ... do you see little faces on your snowdrops? On some of those pictures I posted I swear I can see eyes and a mouth! We only have a few Bluebells, alas, and they were a gift from a neighbor master gardener ... we want more! They're one of my favorite flowers of childhood, along with the crocuses!
You've convinced me now... we have to get Winter Aconite ... that last shot is just too freaky not to have in our garden! :-)
Up close and personal photos. My winter aconites are no where to be seen, yet. I may have to settle for looking at yours so, thanks.
Thanks, Leslie!
Cindy - LOL! Fortunately, I took all these photos in the back garden.
Shady - it's hard to stay down for long in spring.
Dee - sometimes a little nature is just what the doctor ordered.
Monica - It's a great plant with which to be associated, looking attractive throughout the year.
Kate - I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Hopefully, soon you'll be able to enjoy such sights firsthand.
Kathy - I've said before that the garden has saved my life. The horticultural therapy helped a lot last week. Thanks.
Robin - taking photos is almost as good as working in the garden.
Sue - thanks!
HM - I so agree. This week is starting off fine with some much needed rain.
Easygardener - thanks!
EAL - I can just see you, sitting there in the early evening with a glass of wine...
IVG - I haven't seen any faces in Snowdrops, yet. Yes, you need Winter Aconites, they are the coolest flowers to watch emerge.
Layanee - I kept looking for my Aconites, & I thought I had lost them all. Then they all emerged at once & started blooming. So yours might be sprouting right now.
This makes me wish I had more spring flowers in my yard!
Seems like spring is all about looking up at budding trees or looking way down at the budding plants. Hope this week is better!
I am sorry to hear that you have been having a difficult time but glad that your garden has given you some comfort. Excellent advice - getting closer to the plants reveals so many details that could otherwise be overlooked. A magnifying glass is useful too :) Take care and I hope that this week is kinder to you.
Beautiful pictures -- don't you just love when things start growing!
Hi MMD, your down to earth post was wonderful! I am so happy to see spring coming to give you a bit of quiet contemplation during rough times. The emerging leaves are nothing short of miraculous.
Frances
Rosemarie - what are you waiting for? Go get some.
Ms. Wis. - that's true, there's not much happening at eye level except for the buds on the Forsythia.
Thanks, Anna. A magnifying glass is a great idea. Especially now that my eyesight isn't as good closeup as it used to be.
Hi, Martha - I love this time of year when the spot where there was nothing happening yesterday is full of newly sprouted leaves just opening.
Frances - miraculous is the word for it. It's such a commonplace miracle, but a miracle nonetheless.
MMD - Getting down on our hands and knees to look at tiny beautiful things is a reminder to look at all the tiny beautiful things in our life to help with the difficulties. Your photos are beautiful.
I love the last picture. They do look like alien plants.
Commonweeder - thanks! It is true that stopping to find the beauty helps so much.
Nancy - Aconites are fun & funky when they first emerge.
MMD -- I love all the contrast in your photos -- the bright colors of blooms and buds against the winter leaves and mulch. I think it's why I love bare trees with first blooms among the lanky branches. Thanks for bringing us down to earth with you.
Diana - I'm nothing if not down to earth. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)
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