 |
| Crocus chyrsanthus 'Princess Beatrix' |
It's that time again, the 15th of month when Carol of
May Dreams Gardens asks what's blooming in our gardens. Right now, the snowdrops (
Galanthus elwesii) are finally taking their farewell bows, ceding the spotlight to those most stalwart and dramatic of early bloomers, the hellebores. This is a far different garden from that of
March 15, 2011. In fact, the garden hasn't been this far along since 2000 (when things actually bloomed even earlier).
 |
| unnamed Helleborus x hybridus seedling |
The unseasonably warm weather has called forth blooms from most of the hellebores already, including the decadently double 'Kingston Cardinal'.
My favorite is 'Ballerina strain'.
There are also solid dark purple, white ones and near black ones, but there's no room for photos of them here, as there's more to see in this March's garden.
There are the little irises in full bloom. The slightly shorter than average
Iris reticulata 'Pixie',
and the larger blooming
Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin'.
What makes these flowers such valuable additions to the early spring garden is that unlike crocuses and winter aconites (
Eranthis species), which close up at night and on cloudy days, these little charmers remain open once they bloom.
The little daffodils are coming into bloom.
 |
| Narcissus 'February Silver' |
'February Silver' just opened this morning. In a few days, the cup will fade to white.
The garden is not limited to bulbs and hellebores. The first of the native wildflowers has bloomed.
 |
| Hepatica nobilis var. acuta |
The sharp-leaved hepatica always is the first to bloom in the parade of native woodland plants.
Still in full bloom and looking mighty fine is the witchhazel,
Hammamelis x intermedia 'Sunburst'.
It seems to be trying to make up for its abysmal performance last year. Yes, all is forgiven. This morning, the
Forsythia is showing colors in its buds; it will probably be in bloom within the week if this warm weather lasts.
Also in bloom:
Crocus siberi 'Tricolor'
Crocus tommasinianus
Eranthis cilicica
Galanthus elwesii
Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa
Narcissus 'Small Talk'
last fall's pansies
Scilla siberica
12 comments:
That double hellebore is amazing. And yes, a striking difference from last year!
So very lovely...your photos just keep getting better and better!
Such fabulous images of wonderful blooms, MMD!
You are further along than me. No sign of my hepatica yet, hellebores except for niger are buds still hardly emerged, and no forsythia budding at all. I hope you can get out there often to enjoy it.
Beautiful Bloom Day with lovely photos.
I wonder if your blooming dates hold true for zone 6b. I didn't think we ever had things bloom as soon. Last year was almost this early.
nellie
Lovely hellebore photos! Mine are almost finished flowering here in London, the tulips and rhododendrons have taken over the stage in my garden :-)
What a nice display for this month's Bloom Day! I just love hellebores! That reminds me, too, I exported a photo of some light colored ones from last year. This is the third year for this clump of mine that are dark colored this year. I seem to remember last year, posting that the previous year they were dark. I need to check on that.
Anyway, your hepatica blooms are lovely, too. I have a different kind, called liverleaf. I posted the scientific name in my post, but it is different from yours.
Beautiful photos! Happy bloom day.
Your photographs are just stunning.
Wonderful!
I especially like the Hellebores.
Happy Gardening!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie
Your garden must be especially lovely in the springtime, MMD. I love your double hellebores, and I'm also enticed by the spring irises. I'm glad you're such a good recordkeeper--I couldn't remember a spring as early as this!
Post a Comment