Wednesday, February 15, 2012

February Bloom Day

A belated Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Bloom Day to all!  Yes, it is time once again for the monthly celebration of what is blooming in (or out) of your garden, hosted faithfully for over five years now by Carol of May Dreams Gardens.  I'm glad it's Bloom Day, because I've been a little under the weather for the past week and haven't felt much like blogging.

Speaking of the weather, here in the Midwest we've been reminded that winter is far from over, despite rumors to the contrary.


A week and a half ago, I was taking advantage of the mild weather and sunny skies to take a walk.  I happened to look down and to my surprise saw these daffodils emerging in the garden.


Looking across the driveway, I also noticed some spots of yellow scattered underneath the pine trees.  Dandelions in February??  No, they were yellow crocuses in full bloom!  Looking through the photo archives and old blog posts, I confirmed that these were indeed at least a month ahead of schedule. 


Just when I was beginning to think spring might arrive early this year, Mother Nature brought us back to reality.  The very next morning the crocuses had closed up and everything was covered in hoarfrost.   The yarrow, which was showing signs of green growth on the balmy Sunday, was an interesting arrangement of silver and white on Monday.


The butterfly garden, which has looked more like a mass of dried-up weeds most of the winter, once again looked rather eye-catching with the white plumes of goldenrod.


So once again, we must turn indoors for any signs of blooms this February, which is not that easy, since I'm not much of a houseplant person.  I do have a few blooms, but mostly what I have is foliage.  Notice the amaryllis on the right which has very tall leaves--I measured them at 31 inches!--but not a single bloom.  This happened a few years ago, too, and I'm not sure if it's because the bulb wasn't chilled enough this fall or something else, but I was certainly disappointed not to see the pink and white blooms I had last year. 


The paperwhites next to them seem to be in a race to see who can grow the tallest, but at least they are blooming!  This is the first year I've grown narcissus indoors, and I have to say they're the easiest of any bulbs I've tried to force.


That's it for any blooms here this February, but while pickin's are pretty slim, I know it won't be long till some real blooms appear once again.  Several containers filled with seeds are sitting outside waiting for the snow to melt and the sun to warm them up.


Hopefully, it won't be long until the icy "blooms" on the clematis turn to real ones instead.  

It is another gray February day here in the Heartland, but somewhere the sun is probably shining and real flowers are blooming--check them out at May Dreams Gardens.

26 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos, especially the icicles :-)

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  2. Hello Rose,
    We had the same strange weather. But overhere the ice and snow are gone. I also hope spring will arrive soon. Your photo's are a treasure to the eyes. Stay warm.
    gr. Marijke

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  3. I like the clear crystal icicles in your garden, as pretty as any colorful bloom!

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  4. Here, here. I have a sinking feeling that snow will come to visit us in April! We don't have crocuses yet, but I was shocked to find the tips of the daffodils emerging, like yours. Happy GBBD!

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  5. Those little yellow crocuses are so brave! They're always the first to bloom in my garden. No sign of them up here, though. The snowdrops that emerged are frozen in place.

    I love your hoarfrost photos. That's something we didn't have where I grew up, but we get it frequently where I am now. It's exquisite.

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  6. Seeing that ice gave me a chill. Happy GBBD. Try to keep warm.

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  7. Isn't it lovely to see signs of life creeping from out of the cold earth? I've noticed the evenings are getting lighter and Spring must be on its way.
    I do love those Narcissi.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  8. Rose, Your hoarfrost shots are stellar! I love when it arrives in the garden; it makes all the seed heads look gorgeous instead of weedy!
    Happy, happy Bloom Day....hoping you are on the mend. xogail

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  9. The hoarfrost and icicles are impressive! Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well and hope you feel better soon.

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  10. Love those frosty yarrows! Happy bloom day. I did winter sowing for the first time this year, half heartedly. Not sure if anything will sprout. We haven't had any rain to speak of (and no snow). Have had to water the cartons a couple times.

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  11. Oh my, those are lovely photos Rose! I love the hoar frost! It's encouraging that you've had Crocuses blooming, too, because mine can't be too far behind. Happy GBBD!

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  12. It has been such a strange winter. I never really know what to expect. I try to accept what comes, but that is not always easy.

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  13. Love your hoarfrost photos Rose! Wow - I'm amazed to see crocuses already blooming just two hours south! Happy Bloom Day!

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  14. I hope it's sunny there today Rose. Winter is much easier to bear with blue skies. I love your hoar frost. Love it! Happy Bloom Day!~~Dee

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  15. Love the hoarfrost — pretty as any flowers might hope to be!

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  16. Hi Rose,

    Beautiful photos! It doesn't look like your garden is much behind mine with the Crocuses out!! :D

    The hoar frost looks absolutely amazing!! I wish we had some here... Although I don't think I'd want the cold temperatures ;)

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  17. Thanks all for visiting! I am trying, as time permits, to visit everyone's posts instead of replying to comments here.

    I just turned off my word verification, because the new format is driving me crazy! Anyone else frustrated by the word verification lately?

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  18. Your icy clematis are breathtaking. Hope your daffs and crocuses don't get damaged by the cold weather, mother nature really is playing tricks with the plants this year.

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  19. Love the photo of the ice on the clematis, and it's nice to see the winter sowing containers. :) I haven't had any crocuses bloom or bud up, despite the mild winter so far. My paperwhites have just finished blooming. I love their smell! :)

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  20. The new word verification is an absolute nightmare!!! I took it off my blog as soon as I spotted it had changed. Have you tried listening to the audio version? It is the weirdest thing ever!!!!

    I noticed in a reply on your last post that you have been feeling a little under the weather lately, I do hope you feel much better now. We need some nice warm sunshine to cheer us all up, I think we will all feel beter then.

    Anyway, lovely photos, Rose, the icicles are awesome! Every year I intend to grow Paper Whites in the house... and then forget :-(

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  21. Do hope you are feeling much better now!
    The ice is lovely but I always worry when there is ice on the trees.
    Spring is winking in my gardens but I think she will be coming in fits and starts. I saw a bee yesterday!
    Thanks for the heads up on the word verification. I shall go right now and remove it!
    Sherry

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  22. I hope you're feeling better now, Rose. Blooms or not, the pics you posted are just the "icing" that Winter's cake needed. Just lovely! Stay warm. Spring is just around the corner for you. Everything seems to be ahead of schedule here too.

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  23. It seems like the weather is teasing us, doesn't it? Your paperwhites are very cheerful looking!

    One of these years, I want to do some winter sowing. I am never organized enough to see what seeds can be planted this way, or to get the supplies together.

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  25. Your icy blooms photo made me stop and say, "Wow!" That's worth the price of your new camera right there.

    No daffs in bloom here, but there are some that have popped out of the ground. The last time I saw daffs this early was back in the 1980s and I only know that because it's in my garden journal.

    Luv the look of yellow blooms against the dried, brown leaves.

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