I found some new surprises last time I was outside, and because this time of year you have to look a little harder to find something you may have to squint a little to see some of these. :)
I love how the Hellebores looked covered in raindrops, the sun shining through gives it a nice rosy glow.
The new Hellebore 'Mardi Gras Double' is starting to bloom. I'm having a hard time being patient, it looks like it's going to be very pretty.
More Iris reticulatas blooming near the pond. I planted quite a few last year, but the new ones don't have any blooms yet, just foliage so far.
I had thought the Pulmonaria seemed early, but looking back to last years pictures I found that they are right about on time. I love how these start out pink and then will change to purple as they age.
Navelwort 'Starry Eyes' (Omphalodes cappadocica) which Teza helped me to identify on another post, surprised me with one little flower open already. I have a few in my shady garden and they do great there, even in dry soil.
I discovered some Anemone blanda under some leaves while doing some cleanup.
And this flower you won't have to squint to see, it's the Amaryllis 'White Christmas' which sent up another flower stalk and has just started blooming. This Amaryllis took forever to start growing, and now it has given me more blooms, a very nice surprise for sure!Fertilizer Friday is hosted each Friday by Tootsie at Tootsie Time. Visit her to see what's she got happening in her greenhouse or to join in "flaunting your flowers."
Dont' you just love spring. What a great shot of that Hellebore you got. That would be great as a enlargement.
ReplyDeleteJen
A winter storm is hitting us hard today and it has been a sleet to snow event with more coming next week so winter is showing it is in charge yet here. It is good to see those blooms of your today. I love the buds on your Pulmonaria and just look at the Amaryllis. Never get tired of their big beautiful blooms. My new one is blooming and all messed up. Have a wonderful weekend Catherine.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a gorgeous amaryllis, and as usual I love your Hellebore blooms. Enjoy your gardens springing forth.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Everything looks so good - now I have to go check my Pulmonaria to see what's showing on mine.
ReplyDeleteSure was fun visiting ya the other day - hope everyone doesn't wonder why I didn't take pictures of your gardens. It gives me an excuse to come back when it's all in full bloom for pictures. LOL
JEALOUS... I can't believe you have all this coming up already. Love the purplish-blue Iris.... Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteKate - The Garden Bell
Dear Catherine, You have highlighted in this posting so many delightful treasures. Your double hellebore, 'Mardi Gras', is going to be perfection and I very much hope that it clumps up well for you.
ReplyDeleteHow good to see the Pulmonarias again [I grow P. officinalis 'Sissinghurst White'] as well as the Omphalodes. This is such an exciting time in the garden and I am so pleased that you are enjoying it.
After my mom pointed out that Pulmonaria was one of my grandma's favorite plants, I've had a new respect for it. Initially I had a hard time getting over the name 'Lungwort.' I'll make sure to pick some up this year, now that I see how beautiful it is in your garden!
ReplyDeleteI *love* the Navelwort and Iris reticulata. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat isn't the Amaryllis you were having trouble with some time ago, is it?
ReplyDeleteSpring sure comes early to your place. I remember those pulmonarias last year and thought how early they were compared to mine but it's really only a few weeks. I can't wait. Today was the first time I've worked in my garden since like last November. It felt so good! Too bad it is raining. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see your plants responding to an early spring. I love the dark colors of the Iris. I look forward to seeing more flowers unfold in your garden.
ReplyDeleteOOOOhhh what a beautiful amarylis - it is stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh and that blue iris is to die for?
So glad you and Raingardener were able to meet and exchange some fun and ideas.
I love the vibrant color of the Iris - so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe plants poking their heads out of the soil are inspiring - light at the end of the tunnel!
Spring is tempting us with those gorgeous blooms. I really like the blooms on the Hellebores. I am looking forward to having them in my new garden. A whole new palette with lots of shade.
ReplyDeletePretty pictures Catherine. You are finding so much each time you venture out. We are having LOTS of rain and I am just looking out the window wondering what's popping up! Hope you enjoy the weekend and thanks for sharing these lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! The arrival of Spring is so exciting - you have omphalodes, which I tried planting a couple of years ago. What a cutie... I hope I can try again. (I'll have to make sure it'd like it at my house!)
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Pardon me while I pretend you're reminiscing about last Spring. It did me so much good to create my post of last Spring a couple of days ago... but we have a long time to wait before we see anything that looks like what YOU are experiencing. (It's okay - I'm not jealous!) :-)
I feel like moving there Catherine! I'm itching to do something and can't because everything is still covered in white. Your blooms are killing me! and there's so many of them!!! Lucky, lucky girl. :-)
ReplyDeletealoha,
ReplyDeletehow exciting the plants are just coming into being and spring is in the air, pretty blooms in your garden today and your photos are stunning... happy fertilizer friday and the weekend to you.
Hey Catherine, I can't believe you already have lovely blooms. I just came from winter wonderland. All I saw was white.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine everything is looking so promising and yes the sun shining through the rosey Hellebore looks lovely
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers!!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Well, you may not have gotten snow, Catherine, but your blooms are just gorgeous! I'd never heard of Navelwort; will have to look into that one. I'm hoping my pulmonaria will come back this year. It wasn't exactly thriving last year. Your garden gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful flowers Catherine. I love looking at these blooms :)..
ReplyDeleteThat Pulmonaria is exquisite! I am in complete awe of that perfect flower. And the hellebores. I can't wait for mine to open. My goodness, how long do they take to open? I'm getting impatient.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I sat here and looked at your blog with my 2 year old granddaughter on my lap.
ReplyDeleteEach time I scolled down to nother flower she responded with another "Oooh, pretty flower."
So your flowers got the ultimate stamp of approval.
She usually only comments on wildlife pictures.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Troy
Yay for spring surprises! You're almost three months ahead of me, isn't that amazing? This is fabulous and just what we easterners need while we deal with frigid weather, snow and other dramatics!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe what difference in garden zones, and you are probably north of us too! Amazing how many pretties are already blooming in your spring garden. We're getting buried in snow instead, up to 14 inches expected. Argh!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ You've got the nicest hellebores. You must have been on your belly to get such a nice shot. I noticed an Iris r. today too. An eensy weensy thing but hey, I'm not complaining. I bet the reason why you were thinking the Pulmonarias are early is because they bloom for such a long time. I love your little Omphalodes flower. Don't you just love saying Omphalodies? It's one of those names that jumps off your tongue. Okay call me weird. :) Your Anemone blanda. Now they seem early to me. A stunning amaryllis.
ReplyDeleteWeather is supposed to be good this weekend. Happy gardening!
Can I come and visit? I'm so sick of winter, and have been frozen for days (or is it weeks or months?). Beautiful pictures. :)
ReplyDeletegotta love spring with all the fresh color and growth and surprises!!! thanks for linking in...can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteVery nice picture Catherine, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine - how lovely to see all those spring flowers popping up! I haven't been outside recently due to my dose of flu, so looking at all your gorgeous photos is the next best thing!
ReplyDeletethe spring is coming....nice pictures...Grüne Grüße Sandra
ReplyDeleteLooks like your garden is really coming alive! I am impressed with the difference in weather from there to here. So glad to see some color~
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyable to watch your spring unfold Catherine - you are definitely ahead of us. Can't wait to see your double hellebore open fully!
ReplyDeleteG'Day Thanks for the visit. You must have an eye for photography with those helebores, very nice and good value plants they are too.
ReplyDeleteBoy, would I luv to have an early spring around here.
ReplyDeleteYour Iris reticulatas bloom really caught my attention. Gorgeous color.
I have some Pulmonaria plants, but the lazy things are still sleeping under the snow.
The 'Starry Eyes' bloom is so cute that it almost doesn't look real. Are you sure you didn't just stick a silk flower in there??? I kid, of course.
Always a pleasure to stop by here and see what's new.
donna
It's the blue Iris for me. Wow ... amazing beauty!
ReplyDeleteOh what a great shot of Hellebores. Just awesome. The amaryllis is looking so cute.
ReplyDeleteLooks like spring is already here. Love your macro shots of the blooms. Splendid!
ReplyDeleteSpring is coming, spring IS coming! Yea!
ReplyDeleteThe color in that iris is absolutely amazing!!!
ReplyDelete