Sunday, January 15, 2012

Outdoor Blooms for January

Galanthus elwesii, giant snowdrop
For the first time in a very long time, I have outdoor blooms to show off for January Bloom Day. Winter finally arrived here in Chicagoland with, yes it's true, actual snow. The girl and I couldn't be more pleased. Endless Fall was turning into Extreme Early Spring before the snowstorm Thursday dropped about 5 inches. It's not cheating for me to post a shot from Wednesday of my snowdrops. Just because they are no longer visible doesn't mean that they aren't still blooming. 


Also on Wednesday, I noticed that there were serious buds on several of the hellebores. The furthest along is this one on Helleborus x hybridus 'Pink Lady Strain'. 
'Pink Lady Strain' hellebore 


Of course it won't actually open for at least a month, despite the return to above freezing temperatures this week. So many things are already sprouting and seem to be about a month ahead of usual. (Note I'm not saying "normal." I doubt there is such a thing anymore.) 


While snowdrops may be exciting for me, if you want real floral excitement, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for all the Bloom Day posts, where gardeners from around the world, including those from California and other places warmer than here, will be showing off their blooms.

19 comments:

Indie said...

The snowdrops are beautiful! This weather has definitely been rather oddly warm lately, playing havoc on my poor plants.
Enjoy your winter snow!

Leslie said...

Are you tempted to go uncover those blooms? I might be! The snowdrops are just lovely.

gardenwalkgardentalk.com said...

I am surprised your flowers are not under snow. We finally got some snow and nothing really is showing much color. No buds on the Hellebores yet, either. I think this weather has them all confused. That is a very pretty and moody image of your Hellebore.

Jane said...

Love visiting your blog on GBBD for the beautiful photos. I really like the Hellebores image as well. Our Hellebores was an inch or two out of the ground before it finally snowed this past weekend.

Fairegarden said...

Outstanding January blooms there, MMD! Well done.

HolleyGarden said...

Snowdrops are very exciting to me! I wonder why mine aren't up!?! Happy GBBD!

Town Mouse said...

Ah snowdrops... They're on the list of things that require - surprise - snow so I can't grow them. That makes it extra special to see them on other gardeners' blogs.

Happy bloom day!

Cyndy said...

Congrats on your snowdrops - I killed them in CT, not sure why. Hopefully you'll get just enough Chicago winter to keep you and the plants happy. Beautiful capture of Pink Lady :)

Jean said...

Beautiful snowdrops - lucky you! Hard to say what's normal weather these days, you're right. I've got lots of bulbs starting to make their way out of the ground, but no blooms yet.

greggo said...

I'm going to have to try some helles some day, just to have winter blooms.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It is exciting to have January blooms MrMcD. Happy GBBD.

Darla said...

No snowdrops or snowflakes here in Florida!!

Gail said...

They are such a delight~If you had to have a delayed winter you couldn't ask for a nice present. gail

Rose said...

I love those snowdrops! I was noticing some spots of green and sprouting here, too, until the snow hit. Our gardens have to be confused with this winter.

scottweberpdx said...

How wonderful...I have to admit...I don't think I have ANY bloos this GBBD :-(

Anna said...

No that's not cheating but creative forward planning. Heartening to get a glimpse of blooms to come.

Suz said...

snowdrops...I'm impressed

Garages said...

Those photos are just breath taking!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Lovely snowdrops! I am going to have to do a yard walk and see if I can find any hellebore buds. I agree with your not using the word, "normal". You never know what a season will bring.