Spring? -or the calm before the storm!!!

Two beautiful days gardening as this long winter drags on.  It seems we are getting another winter storm tomorrow and Wednesday.  Still in the midst of all the chaos to come, as it will -the south is definitely set up to cope with snow! Here are a couple of shots to chase away those winter blues and remind us of the promise of the fairy child's gift of spring.

Daffodil Rijnveld's Early Sensation

Species Crocus Bluebird

Those early daffodils are always so delightful and that splash of yellow so cheering.  And as for the species crocus -so so sweet  The snowdrops are still blooming to and the first winter aconite - or Eremurus   The species tulips are also showing their tips above ground.  Can't wait for them.  I planted more this year.  They come back for several years too.

 

oops not Eremurus but Eranthis! What was I thinking???

Super snowdrops

What a gorgeous little clump of joy nestling in the shelter of the camellia bush.  These giant Galanthus are a delight after the cold winter days of this winter.  60 degrees forecast tomorrow then back to 19 overnight Tuesday and another cold cold week.  Goodness this is a strange year.  The poor plants won't know whether to start growing or stay in hibernation!!!  Though I have to say there are green spears of daffodils appearing all over the garden as well.  Tough little things huh?  And so cheering to see.  The promise of spring.

Spent some time on the sunny rock garden planting mini daffodils and tulips -a little late really for those minis as they usually bloom so early but that's ok they will still bloom -they will just be a little later this year.  The tulips are fabulous and perennialize much better in the south than their bigger showier cousins.  They work really well in the outdoor slightly larger fairy gardens too - they are sooo cute.

It was great to get out into the garden after so many wet or bitterly cold weekends too.

Fabulous Flowering Tulips

Here is another idea for planting tulips directly over rocks and water -no dirt.  The water stays just below the level of the bulb so as not to allow it to rot.

Well it would be if I knew how to turn this picture on the blog -there must be a way of turning it upright.  But you get the idea!!

This is the early turiumph tulip Oscar -isn't it neat?

Dancing daffodils and Colourful Caladiums

The daffodils are definitely starting to provide a show now and my Narcissus Grand Soleil d'Or are STILL blooming -can you believe it - 2 months after the first brave bloom opened its eyes to the sun.  And we had another frost last night!  The garden is always an amazing place. There is always so much to see from the bark of the River birches and the changing hues and the leaves of evergreens, to the stunning winter blooming shrubs and the oh so many changing expressions of the winter garden.  The tiny leaves of miniature tulips are starting to show now also along with their mid-size cousins the Gregeiis, with their attractive mottled leaves.  The full size tulips will follow of course such a wonderful array of colour, but I do love those smaller varieties that bloom so early and perennialize in the south much better.

Of course this is also the time to plan that summer colour.  We go from the dark days of winter to the joy and dazzle of the spring blooms but then what?  Many, many summer flowering bulbs are available and now is the time to start ordering those.  Lilies, Cannas, Dahlias, Elephant ears, Calla Lilies, and those colorful Caladiums  to name but a few.  Have you tried using caladiums as summer ground cover? -awesome! And some types really will take full sun even here in the south.  Varieties such as the bright and bold large leaved Red Flash, White Queen, the strap leaf White Wing and the new Tapestry,even the more demure green and white Aaron also. Make a bold splash in the flowerbeds and of course the many shade preferring varieties can brighten up the shade gardens and add a glow of  white or a mass of colour to surprise and exclaim over.

Start working out what you need now and if you need help with choices or color schemes or ordering, make sure you check us out at www.marlborobulb.com or call us on 1-800-999-0567.  You can also email orders on info@marlborobulb.com