Spring Slowly Gains Momentum
Spring around here has not had its breakthrough moment, but it is making progress. This past weekend there was still a distinct chill in the air, but at least the sun was out. (Please note that I took today’s photos, so they are not up to our usual standard).
Some of the first Species Tulips were in bloom, like Tulipa turkestanica. This is one of very few Tulips that actually naturalizes in our garden.
And the deep red Tulipa praestans, shown here cuddling up with more T. turkestanica. Unlike T. turkestanica, T. praestans has been gradually fading away.
As for the Daffodils, their flower buds are opening at a rather sluggish pace. Incidentally, I notice that many of our Daffodils are the variety above with white petals and pale yellow crown. It seems to be longer-lived than other Daffodils in our garden, but I can’t remember its name. Anyone have an idea?
There are also a few of these. I think this is called ‘Ceylon’.
Narcissus buds are swelling in the Parkway Bed, but there are still just a handful of blooms – not much more than last weekend.
The Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica) is filling in somewhat.
As are the Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis).
The Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is blooming, before the Forsythia and just about every other flowering shrub around here.
It really does have a pretty flower, even if rather understated.
In addition to flowers, we’ve also got other plants finally emerging from their underground slumber. Here’s a selection, starting with Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). The Columbines are very robust in this particular spot. Lots of moisture and part shade.
An unknown variety of Poppy (Papaver), given to me by my friend Linc.
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum).
And last but not least, Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica), with its blue-tinted leaves.
Overall I’d say we’re 3-4 weeks behind what we would generally consider a normal year. However, a late Spring is far preferable to none at all.
gardeninacity 
The Tulipa Turkestanica, although small and delicate, is quite striking, especially flowering next to the deep red tulips (always one of my favourites) . I think we are about a month behind with autumn too, but, just like spring, wonderful when it arrives!
T. turkestanica has a small flower, but in a mass it has a big impact.
Your garden looks beautiful!
The daffodil variety you asked about is ‘Ice Follies’. It’s very long lived for me too.
Ah, ‘Ice Follies’ sounds familiar. Thanks for the ID!
It has been bonkers weather here (central IN) since late last Sept. (The last three years have been unusual weather-wise; it seems to have taken root for sure since Sept 2017.) Just as things were beginning to settle into the beginning autumn phase the temps rose into the high 80’s for weeks, thus throwing everything off. All the autumn spiders died/disappeared – and did not return. Winter was too warm, spring showed up on Feb 10th and after weeks of unnatural warmth and plant growth, it snowed. Repeatedly in March and April.
What tulips did manage to bloom, after repeated tries, are crinkled and cold-mangled. The magnolia buds all turned brown and are falling, after 4 tries in between the snows. The dogwood was finally showing tiny blooms only to be felled by two nights in the 30’s last week. Other trees and flowers are the same – browned & burnt buds or none at all, lots of leaf growth and then nothing. The weeds, however, seem to have adapted just fine and are growing like crazy, especially the bindweed.
After years of living my life by the seasons, our new normal feels odd to me. I don’t like it. It feels….unsettling. I suppose in time I will grow used to the increased randomness.
Hard to see nature battling to adapt to climate change. Poor spiders, and their associated insects too.
I don’t like the new normal either. I’m trying to keep myself in denial, but it isn’t easy. I make the most of the flashes of normality that are still available.
Yes, indeed! We love Spring even when she is late.
How can we help ourselves?
We can’t. And we shouldn’t even try.
You are right where we are…weeks behind but thankful for spring in any form right now. We have many of the same plants blooming at this point….so lovely especially the tulips which I do not have! And I published our interview today so drop by and check it out. I hope you like it!
Thanks so much for the interview, Donna! It was fun working with you!
Very pretty hellebores! I can’t seem to get them to come up here (zone 5b). Any advice?
All I can say is they don’t like a lot of moisture or a lot of sun.
I am fed up chucking out Tulips after flowering, Tulipa turkestanica, is very tempting. A fair bit of sunshine here in East Scotland, mind you it can still be very raw at times. I am Alistair and have visited you via Donna at Gardens Eye View who is singing your praises in a wonderful manner.
Yup, Donna is very kind. Go ahead and give T. turkestanica a try – has same cultural requirements as most other Tulips.
This post and lovely photos remind me of how much I loved to check for new Spring growth when I lived in the north. Each day there are changes. I love your garden by the road. What a wonderful use of green space.
Thank you! I’m really glad I dug up the grass on the parkway. I don’t think I would be a happy gardener in the South.
I can’t wait until I have some blooms on our new Spicebushes. They aren’t showing any this year. Their first year. I am hoping they are still alive. I am being patient to see some leaves. Love all your tulips. Come on Spring.
I’ve had Spicebush for quite a few years but I can’t remember how long they took to start blooming. I’m quite happy that they are in the garden.
So pretty, happy spring finally arrived. I think summer is breathing down our neck!
Yesterday it really felt like summer.
Even with the terrible snowy March we had it’s looking like most of the wildflowers are right on schedule.
Good luck finding the name of that daffodil. There are many white ones with pale yellow cups.
There are certainly a mind-boggling number of Daffodil varieties.
Glad spring stopped by your place. It’s looking lovely Jason.
Thanks. Much more springy as of today!
The spicebush and Siberian squill are at least recognizable by name to me now, as a couple of people even farther north than you have written about them. Your photos are lovely, and I can imagine that even a sparser than usual showing is pleasing at this point.
I found wild columbines blooming recently — some were being visited by a hummingbird moth. It was a wonderful experience, and the first time I’ve found columbines here.
I think I read that Aquilegia chrysantha, which has a yellow flower, is a native columbine of Texas, but maybe there are others.
Day by day your garden is more colorful, Jason. Lovely hellebore, blue scilla. The blue flowers are welcoming after the cold season.
The Scilla is supposed to be from Siberia. Is it grown in the St. Petersburg region?
Hello from Finland! I’m visiting from Donna’s blog and will be back later for many more posts of yours. So beautiful and interesting!
Welcome, Sara! I’m so glad you discovered my blog. I will have to visit yours, now.
Glad spring has arrived. Here in Austin, it’s definitely a late spring pattern, though rather dry. That spicebush does have a pretty bloom–especially against the blue, blue sky!
I think I have seen pictures of Spicebush at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.
It’s good that you have a tulip that naturalizes, I must find one. WOW….a blue sky, about time too!!! Everything looks like it’s just waiting to burst into bloom, good to see some colour, hoping you catch up soon.xxx
And as of this week, the bursting has begun!
Hooray for spring coming. We were surprised, coming back to Asheville, that everything wasn’t fully leafed out, but are enjoying our buckeyes, etc. in flower.
Well, at least you didn’t miss much that way.
I completely agree with your last paragraph. Last week and the one before the temperatures here were more like summer and they arrived straight after a very cold week! This week is rain (that’s OK) and temperatures are more normal for early May. The only tulips that DON’T naturalise in my gardens are the species ones!!! Makes no sense, does it?
Well, I would think like your hot, dry summers. Many are native to the Mediterranean region.
The progress in your garden is marvelous. Rejuvenation is the word. I certainly appreciated the interview you did for Donna.
And the progress continues. At a certain point, I complain that it’s moving too fast, not too slow.