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April 22, 2010

April Time Warp

Filed under: Flowers,Our gardens,Spring — Judy @ 10:33 pm

This has been an odd April. It seems like time has been compressed and everything is flowering at once. It’s only April 22 and the lilacs are already beginning to open. Traditionally, the Lilac Festival is held here in Rochester in mid to late May. If we don’t get some cooler weather, the lilacs might be past when the festival is supposed to happen from May 14-23.

Bleeding heart

The natural progression of the Spring flowers has been altered and the daffodils are blooming with the poet’s eye narcissus and the grape hyacinths.

Poet's eye narcissus

The flowering trees are gorgeous this year, especially the magnolias. Around our house, the forsythia and quince are loaded with blossoms.

Mom's quince

And then there are the new fruit trees. The peaches and the pears are buzzing with the pollinating bees. The apple trees aren’t blossoming yet though.

Red Haven peach flowers

In the shade garden, the flowering bleeding hearts and the brunneras add to the colorful emerging foliage of the astilbes, heucheras, and hostas. It’s a riot of color there!

Brunnera 'Jack Frost'

The final picture is of the little crabapple tree pushing out its first buds. Isn’t she pretty?

Crabapple buds

What’s blooming at your house?

April 7, 2010

Blooming Spring

Filed under: Flowers,Spring — Judy @ 11:26 pm

After last weekend’s 80 and 86 degree weather, things are proceeding rapidly down the road to summer! Well, probably not quite yet because there is certain to be more cold weather ahead, but these unseasonably warm temperatures have caused early leaf break and we’ve been scrambling to get all the late pruning done. It is exciting though to see new buds appearing, blossoms opening to reveal brand-new color, little leaves unfurling, even the birds are singing their hearts out. And the best of all, the spring peepers are back!!!


Early Spring 2010 Slideshow

March 24, 2010

Early Spring

Filed under: Flowers,Spring — Judy @ 7:27 pm

Yes! We’re moving into Spring now. Have spinach, lettuce, and snow peas planted in planters on the deck, the garlic is up about 3 inches in the big veggie garden (but the strawberries are still sleeping), and artichoke and leek seeds are germinating in the greenhouse. We were spoiled last week by almost 70 degree weather, teasing us to come and start cleaning up the yard. We resisted, knowing that Ol’ Man Winter is probably not done with us yet. However, after two days of solid rain, an escape was needed from the house and the gloves, clippers, rake, and wheelbarrow suddenly appeared begging to be put to work!

Mossy rock

Look at this mossy rock! The backlighting from the bright sun shows the spore capsules in wonderful detail. Lots of things are showing their stuff now. Of course, there are the daffodils, looking just about ready to burst forth with their cheery faces.

Early daffodils

Then there are the pussy willows . . .

Pussy Willows

and look at the peach trees! My mouth is already watering just thinking about how luscious those peaches were last year.

Peach tree buds

The Toronto tulips were such a success last year in a container that I planted them again that way – this time on purpose! Don’t you love the red streaks on the leaves?

Toronto tulips

And some of the perennials are starting to poke their heads up. The poppies with their lime-green, fuzzy leaves were quite a surprise to see!

Poppy leaves

Winter was a time for snoozing, for regenerating. Spring is a time for awakening, for a fresh beginning. The sun is bright, the air is crisp, the birds are singing their songs loud and clear and long. Now, where are the peepers?!

January 16, 2010

Signs of things to come

Filed under: Flowers,Our gardens — Tags: , , , — Judy @ 1:43 pm

We’ve had some warmish temperatures (in the high 30’s, low 40’s) over the last few days and the snow is melting rapidly, exposing some of the early Spring bulbs. They will certainly get blasted again by the cold and snow because winter is NOT over for us yet! Despite that, it is a sign that things will be looking up before too long.

Daffodils in January

Daffodils just poking up.

Snowdrops in January

The snowdrops even show signs of budding. What might be hiding under the snow in your garden?

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