An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

March 15, 2015

Bloom Day - Delayed Development

     My garden is retarded, and I only mean that in the original sense of the word. Since February's Bloom Day it has snowed three times with the last one being heavy and wet, flattening many of my emerging plants. We also had a night where temperatures dropped to the single digits (thank goodness for an insulating layer of snow), giving us a zone 7b winter instead of our designated zone 8a. For the first time since I started participating in March Bloom Days, I can't show you one blooming daffodil, no Forsythia, no Veronica 'Georgia Blue', no Corydalis, and even the promiscuously invasive Ranunculus ficaria has yet to bloom. Much is delayed, and will likely come out all at once, but not this morning.

     I do have a few things blooming, and hopefully you have already forgotten what I offered for last month's GBBD, because there are several repeats. Hover over the pictures if you need an ID.
Viola (3)

Viola (2)

Viola (1)

Euphorbia myrsinites (Donkey Tail Spurge) (1)

Edgeworthia chrysantha (2)

Edgeworthia chrysantha (1)

Euphorbia helioscopia (Mad Woman's Milk)

Camellia japonica 'Crimson Candles'

Camellia japonica 'Crimson Candles' (2)

Helleborus x hybridus 'Spring Promise Sally'  (1)

Helleborus x hybridus 'Spring Promise Sally'  (2)

Helleborus orientalis (seedling)

Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon'

Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' (2)

Euphorbia characias wulfenii

Daphne odora 'Aureo-Marginata'

Chaenomeles x 'Hime'

     The scene below is repeated a hundred fold around my garden. I expect that in a week's time it will be daffodil city. I will not complain about the delayed spring; I am always thankful for it, no matter when it arrives. Please be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Garden, where she hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of each month.
Narcissus 'Ice Follies'

On more thing - there are just a few days left to participate in Winter Walk-Off 2015. I will be accepting entries until midnight, Thursday, March 19th. I do hope you will join in.

15 comments:

  1. The plant who's name will not be mentioned came through with flying colors (and fragrance, no doubt). Love the light coming through the Edgeworthia, and the yellow hellebores, which immediately went on my wish list.

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  2. Well at least there are still blooms...and more on the way! Glad things are looking up for you.

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  3. Perhaps not your usual array, but a bonanza compared to my pathetic snowdrops. It's been so warm I really expected they would be fully up but still just poking above the ground.

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  4. Well, the Camellias and the Hellebores are spectacular! It sound like your late winter was similar to what we usually experience in Wisconsin. Apparently the Snowdrops are starting to bloom back home, and now I can't wait to get back there. I don't want to miss the spring-blooming bulbs!

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  5. I too go with the flow concerning spring's arrival. Here, we are still under snow and have had some fickle weather too. I doubt anything is under that snow yet, the beds have to be soaked after a lot of snow melted. Still piles four feet high though. I think your Dafs will be amazing. You have bloom and that makes spring time seem all so close.

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  6. Spring may be delayed for you, but you still have a lot going on, and most of it would never grow in my 4b/5a garden. I think for many gardeners this year, spring will start like a turtle and finish like a jack rabbit.

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  7. Les, I have just discovered Hellebores and am happy to say the two I planted last year have survived. They each have one puny flower but since they are the only show in my garden at the moment, I am pleased.

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  8. Sorry about your delayed spring. Your garden looks great nonetheless! The second shot of your Edgeworthia is is especially stunning!

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  9. Very pretty!
    I especially like the cute little violas.
    Have a great day!
    Lea

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  10. Your post is beautiful, despite delay.

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  11. It's good to see that your garden survived a near Maine winter. Cool hover labeling! Yes, those were sumac struggling to break out of the snow on my post.

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  12. Your garden is always full to the brim with blooms.

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  13. Wonderful pictures! Sunlit blooms are gorgeous!

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  14. I like that yellow primrose. It's lovely.

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  15. Well, your flowers that were in bloom got suitably honored by your photos which are, as usual, wonderful. The light is superb...

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