"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Looking for some warmer weather...

 I know it's still winter, but I'm sure ready to see a little sign of spring from our weather.  It has been so cold lately.  We're used to the rain (although I'm tired of it right now), but it's the cold that's really getting old to me.  Our average high for this time of year is 51 degrees, we're barely getting above 40 right now.  I don't mind getting a little wet while I garden, but wet and cold is just no fun.  Between rain showers I decided to take a look around the garden and see how everything was looking since it snowed.  We spent so much time working in the front yard that I've hardly noticed anything else.
I found that the plants are trying to grow.  I think it'll take a couple of warm days and then there will be lots of new growth.  Peonies are sending up their bright red new growth, Clematises are all starting to leaf out and the buds on the pear trees are fattening up.

 Corsican Hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) is just beginning to bloom.  It has flopped all over the ground it's gotten so big.

 I love how the leaves on this Saxifrage 'London Pride' look all wet.  This was given to me last year by Linda.

 Ribes sanguineum 'Kind Edward VII' has it's first flower bud showing!  This one was new to my garden last spring.  Last year at this time my other Ribes was already blooming.

 A few of the Snowdrops I planted last fall are blooming.  I expected them to be small, but are they really this teeny tiny?  From the ground to the top it's about 3 inches high.

 I moved Hellebore 'Red Lady' out front by a Hydrangea 'Preziosa' that I just moved during our front yard make over.  'Preziosa' still has leaf buds growing so I think it survived the move, now I hope it'll bloom.

 Tete-a-Tete Daffodils are so close to blooming, last year at this time they were in full bloom.

 The Crocus are closed up tight from the cold.

 And this pile in the shed keeps growing and growing just waiting to get planted.

 The garden is definitely behind from last year.  At this time last year I had Winter Hazel, Camellias,  the cherry tree, Muscari, Bleeding Hearts and several other plants blooming on March 1st.  I know they are getting close, they just need a little warmer weather, just like me!
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

30 comments:

  1. If you find the warmer weather, please send some up to us. We are promised gale force winds overnight and tomorrow, with ferry cancellations already announced. I am ready for this winter to end!

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  2. I'm disappointed that my one Hellebores hasn't done a thing this year. It's its second season. Could it be too early? It's warm here. But I don't have as much going on as you do!
    Brenda

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  3. I have been cleaning and clearing and am ready to plant. Of course we don't have frost here.

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  4. I'm adding to my bulb collection as well. I adore Hellebores. I have three. They seem to get bigger each year. I hope to add another this year.

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  5. I know you say you are tired of the cold and the wet, but I sit here, admiring the shiny leaves of the saxifrag and the buds or the crocus and tete-a-tete daffodils and I am jealous! Our gardens here are still buried under 3+ feet of snow! I hope you get some warmer sunny days soon so you can get out there to plant all those treasures!

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  6. I have a similar pile, especially after the flower show. And Fred Meyer has been having coupons for some of their bulbs and seeds. Now I need to go out and check my Ribes, I wonder if there are flower buds. Last time I looked, before the snow, there were just swelling buds.

    My snowdrops are tiny too. There is barely enough room for the nodding flowers, they are actually touching the ground, the stem is so short. I don't know if it's normal, this is my first time growing them.

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  7. You sure are gunho to put up that fence in the cold, rain and snow! I can feel the cold on my fingers, Yikes you are brave girl....

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  8. We're about a month behind the warming up period. However, I did spy some green leaves shooting up of crocuses. Spring is getting really close for sure!!!!

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  9. Our gardens here are a bit ahead of last year. Odd how weather affects our gardens. I hope the warmth finds you soon.

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  10. I can tell that Autumn is slowly starting to creep our way, which means Spring can't be too far behind in your part of the world. Our days are still very hot, but there's definitely a change in the early mornings and evenings.

    With all the planning that has gone into your garden and all the new bulbs you're eager to plant, it's going to be quite spectacular, for sure. So, just hang in there a wee while longer, Catherine!

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  11. You never believe this !! the sun is shining here.....spring feelings on this site of the pc.......lovely day ! love Ria...xxx...

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  12. There's no spring bulb that I luv more than Snowdrops and yet I never get around to planting them.

    New life is a wonderful thing, even in the garden. That's a wonderful stockpile you have going on in the garden shed.

    donna

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  13. We are behind, too. Last year I wrote that my bee balm was beginning to sprout on March 1st. This year it is buried in snow that isn't melting any time soon with lows tonight near 0°! Enough already! At least I enjoyed viewing your beautiful spring blooms.

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  14. Love your hellebores! So pretty. I have a feeling that spring is going to be slow coming to most parts this year. Hopefully that means we'll have a glorious summer?

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  15. Spring is definitely earlier where you live.

    The buds are looking lovely, I'm sure your garden will be in full spring bloom soon.

    Spring flowers are lovely, I remember going to the forest with my dad, they were all over the ground.

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  16. Oh that lady is so tall Catherine and she is such a lovely deep colour of red aswell. I hope the weather improves soon so that you can get out into your garden and get those lovely bulbs planted.

    Catherine I think your blog has been hit by the scrappers. I have just seen at least 2 of your posts copied on another blog. Look through the archives and see if there is anyone elses blog post you recognise as I have seen others to that I am going to try and alert. You will probably need to report this site to blogger.

    http://thegarden-remodel.blogspot.com/2011/01/pond-and-garden-in-january.html\

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  17. Oh girl, you are giving me spring fever with all those gorgeous lovely pictures of new growth. It is such a lovely day out today and instead of being out playing in the garden I am stuck layed up with a bum shoulder today. sigh...oh well...maybe next week. I am having a giveaway over on my Gloryfeathers blog just in case you are interested. Keep those pictures coming. They give me hope.
    Debbie

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  18. I had to laugh at your last photo. My husband was sure I needed to join 'bulb and corm hoarders anonymous' last fall. I kept buying more, but hadn't had time to plant them. Eventually they made it to the garden. Glad to see I'm not the only one with that affliction ;) I hope your weather warms up a little soon. It's not looking too spring-like here either.

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  19. Just look at all of those blooms that are starting in your garden. And all of those waiting to be planted. LOL! All of those future lilies and dahlias are going to look so pretty in your new beds.

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  20. Althought it's cold, signs of spring are creaping in! My garden has been playing peek-a-boo lately. The snow melts and I see the new growth beginning, then it snows again. It's this anticipation, though, that makes spring so wonderful.

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  21. Our garden is behind also, and yes, snowdrops really are that small.
    We've been cold here too. You have a lot more going on in your garden than we do. Can't wait for the "real" spring to arrive!

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  22. For once, I can't complain about cold! It's been in the 60's again here, a bit above average for us. I think our normal highs this time of year are in the 50's too but we still have the potential for serious snow yet. Hopefully it will warm up for you soon. I think you have a lot going on despite the cool temperatures. Nothing so much is happening here (well, I do have snow drops & eranthis blooming but that's it). I have seen buds on my 'Red Lady' but no blooms yet.
    You have some lovely bulbs to plant when the weather breaks.

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  23. You've got lots of bloomers! I have a little pile of stuff to plant too. I need to get busy!

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  24. Catherine, It looks just great! So nice to have green instead of just brown in the yard, and even blooms! I enjoy seeing your garden any time of year.
    Blessings, Beth

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  25. I spotted some great items waiting to be planted! (Blackberry lily for one) - have fun!! My time will be here before you know it. :-)

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  26. Amen, sister! Too dang cold. I just can't get inspired.

    I notice that you've got the same dahlia from Costco that I bought. I planted mine in pots and they're already showing signs of green. I guess this will have to suffice for now.

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  27. That crocus is already very beautiful even if not yet open. I've seen them in other's blogs fully open already, how so beautiful especially with the fine white stripes. While at your winter still, come and visit us with perennial greens around, LOL.

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  28. Hi,

    Snowdrops are normally taller yes, around 6inches I would say but it can depend on the type you have.
    But the looks of it, your bulbs are doing similar to what happened here and blooming when they're barely out of the ground - like the crocuses barely have any leaves.
    It's probably due to the cold you've been having.

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  29. It's good to see some flowers, even if they are not in my yard. I wonder if we'll be behind, too, since you are.

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