Bloom Day: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

If you enjoyed last month's Bloom Day at A Tidewater Gardener, you will not be disappointed with this post, because with only one exception, the same things are still blooming.  There have been changes to the garden in 30 day's time, but they are just not that colorful.  My Narcissus are pushing up, and the Hellebores, Edgeworthia and Camellia japonicas are budded, though none is showing color.  At this point my garden is more expectant promise than anything else.

It's bordering on overkill to show my Yuletide Camellia for three Bloom Day's in a row, but I have to work with what I've got.  Though I have bitched about the early and sustained cold weather, one benefit has been the fact that this plant has been doling out parcels of red for nearly three months.

Across the bridge from the Yuletide is an Ilex vomitoria 'Will Flemming' bowing down for a drink from the pond.  The snows have not been kind to this plant, which already needed no excuse to flop.

Despite all the bad weather, these Radiance Red Pansies have performed very well.  Some people in the business might refer to them as "good doers", an expression I find awkward, but appropriate in this case.

Finally, here is a photo of the only new player on the stage, a bedraggled Snowdrop weak from last Thursday's snow.

These photos were all taken Saturday, and since then the snow has melted.  Yesterday the temperature actually reached 70, but today it's not supposed to get out of the 40's.  Later this week it is predicted to return to the 50's, 60's and perhaps higher, so maybe a corner has been turned.  I certainly hope so.

Thanks once again to the determined Carol of May Dreams Garden for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, held on the fifteenth of each month.