Days of the Little Bulbs
Cathy at Words and Herbs has invited folks to join her in reviewing the garden year, starting with spring. The idea appealed to me as a good antidote to these cold, dark days.
The very beginning of spring is my subject for today. That’s when our spirits are lifted by the very first blooms as well as the fresh foliage that holds the promise of coming delights.
Spring this year was tardy to arrive, as winter hung on through March like a tiresome house guest who doesn’t realize his welcome has worn out.
Though Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) began blooming before the end of March, it didn’t feel truly spring-like until the Crocuses began to bloom in the first week of April.
The Snowdrops kick off a period of Spring which I think of as the Days of the Little Bulbs.
Most of my Crocuses are the species Crocus tommasinianus, affectionately known as Tommies.
Though there are also Crocus vernus and Crocus chrysanthus.
The bees were happy to see the Crocuses, especially the Tommies, and I was happy to see the bees.
The Days of the Little Bulbs are also the days when the first foliage of some of my favorite plants emerges.
Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica) are one of my favorite little bulbs. It spreads like mad, which is a good thing, as it disappears in May. Along Lake Shore Drive there is a stretch of Lincoln Park where the mass of blooming Squill looks like a smaller and more placid version of Lake Michigan.
This year it was not until late April when the first species tulips and Narcissus began blooming. Their appearance marks the beginning of the end of the Days of the Little Bulbs. But remember, as we face another long winter, that the little bulbs are waiting to bring us tidings of a new Spring.
A lovely reminder that the foliage sprouting in spring is just as beautiful in a gardener’s eye as the first flowers. Glad you joined in Jason! 🙂
I enjoyed it!
Winter hanging around like a tiresome houseguest is an apt description! What lovely pictures of the promise of spring.
Thank you.
Seeing all your early bloomers makes me wish I had planted more bulbs. Spring can’t come too soon for me this year and winter hasn’t begun!.
I consider everything after December 1 to be winter until the end of February. But I’m trying to focus on the positive.
Hi Jason, what wonderful miniature gems. I’m annoyed that I didn’t get round to planting spring bulbs this year and missed the season. I guess I’ll have another chance again in the spring to plant them “in the green”.
There’s always another season coming.
Perfect for a cold winter morning! I like your definition of the new season… “little bulb days”. I’m already looking forward to it!
Same here!
I welcomed sight indeed! Your little bulbs are all so pretty in your space! Happy weekend to you and your family! Nicole
Same to you, Nicole!
Such lovely spring pics – I’m already longing for spring and have just planted my last crocuses but I think it’s a lot harder for you guys with these long, really cold winters. Keep warm, Jason!
Thanks, Anette, I’m going to try!
You do have a much longer winter than we have here in Scotland Jason – but it’s nice to look forward to your spring beauties and this post will either kill or cure your yearning for spring. Lovely images and how lucky you get the bees at Crocus time – despite the fact I have lots of crocus especially for those early bees, I’ve yet to find a bee here quite so early.
I hope this winter isn’t quite so long as the last one for you.
I hope so too! I was surprised to see those early bees on the crocuses this year, I didn’t think I had seen them there before.
Lovely pictures of your crocus. I just love these colourful bulbs, and so do the bees. I hope that you have an earlier spring next year. Until now we just have autumn weather. No snow and hardly any frost. I just planted a new rose.
Crocus have such bright, cheerful colors. The only drawback with them is that the squirrels and rabbits love them also.
Nice to see your spring treats again. I’d forgotten what a great group of snowdrops you have. And I like those Crocus tommasinianus–always intend to get some.
And one of the great things about Crocuses and Snowdrops is how they spread once they are established.
What a pleasure it is to see these pictures at this dreary time of year! I especially like that they are not “enhanced” or idealized as you find in the bulb catalogs. Dead leaves, recycling containers — yes, that is exactly what early spring looks like, bringing us cheer nonetheless.
Well said.
Oh….how lovely, I simply love crocus and was cheered up no end by yours, this post reminds me that spring isn’t really too far away now and soon the days will become lighter and lighter.xxx
Just 13 days to the winter solstice.
I can’t wait!
You and me both.
I’m already beginning to see buds on the forsythia and the Rhododendrons. This reminder of what’s to come is most welcome.
I was looking at the buds on the lilacs and Spicebush yesterday and thinking the same thing.
Seeing your lovely Crocus tommasinianus reminds me that I meant to order and plant some myself this year, never mind, next year, there’s always next year. Won’t be long for some of the other little bulbs, the muscari all have their foliage growing.
Yes, the Muscari are odd in that they send up their leaves in the fall. I have to stop myself from pulling them out as weeds.
Thank you for reminding me why we moved South! But the wonderful photos are uplifting for those in the north with winter just beginning!!
Fortunately the plant catalogs start showing up right after New Year.
Thanks for the photos. You have reminded me that I need to be more intentional about capturing the progress in my garden as it happens. Thanks.
You’re welcome.
Nice to see spring again when the snow is falling. I usually do the reviews each year and this year did my spring review for the time of the upcoming Fling. I was very surprised at how through the years the plants in bloom varied so drastically. I always look forward to those peony nubs.
Your post is the perfect antidote to these gray, gloomy days! I’ve come to appreciate these little bulbs more and more–even when winter seems to hang on forever, as it did last year, they are a promise that spring is on its way.
What a delight Jason to see these bulbs and wildflowers of spring….I am dreaming of them instead of sugarplums.