"A host of golden daffodils"

Here is a better picture of the Rijnveld's Early Sensation

The minute the snow melted and the air was warmed with sunshine the daffodils started popping out everywhere.  The Rijnveld's was actually a little later than usual -I suppose after so many nights of frost this winter they decided to wait -but more and more are opening up daily.  Such a cheerful sight from the deck in the mornings.  The crocus opened up again after the snow and the snowdrops just kept right on blooming. Even now there are still a few last snowdrops around.

Now we have a few hyacinths opening -lots of daffodils including pretty Tete a Tete

and  the 'wild' jonquil types are opening out too -see below.

Aren't they just gorgeous???

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.

Paperwhites and Amaryllis

The paperwhites are blooming in the winter garden but I wonder if they will survive 3 nights of frost -unusual  for this part of the US to have for 3 consecutive nights to be in the 20s.  Well I picked some to be sure -they last well in vases too.  I also have the first of this year's blooming indoors as well as the gorgeous big Amaryllis.  It is so cheering to have blooms in December both inside and out.  The camellias are also in bloom and the berberis have gorgeous scarlet berries glowing brightly.

Feeding the birds is also a fun activity to keep their cheery chirps going at breakfast time.

Lycoris

Well the Lycoris managed to defy the early frosts and we still have a couple of brave souls though today it is 80 degrees again.  South Carolina in mid- November  Frosty one day 70 or 80 degrees the next!!!  It is a gorgeous sunny day though -just love fall.

Spider lilies or naked ladies to give them their more common names. Nerine are very, very similar too

Been a awhile again I know but I was busy rehearsing for Lion in Winter.  A play about Britain's Henry 2nd and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine -it was a huge role and one I have o\wanted to do for some time -great that it came along.  it was exhausting though!!1

Time to order fall bulbs

Dahlias?  Still planting at the end of August???? Really -we had a bunch of dinnerplate and cactus dahlias left so we weeded a space, threw them on the ground and covered them up with some topsoil.  Well it was worth a try -I will keep you posted on the results.  The dahlias were individual prepacks in peat moss and most were sprouting well -so we will see.

It is time to order fall bulbs too -so check us out for tulips, daffodils, alliums,  muscari, crocus etc etc.  And don't forget those Amaryllis bulbs and paperwhites for indoor planting.  www.marlborobulb.com   email: info@marlbrobulb.com  or call 1-800-999-0567

It has been a strange year weather wise though - we are still getting regular rain and the pasture is sooo green -the ponies love that -normally the fields have been brown for a month.

Lycoris time

Goodness the first lycoris, (spider lilies and naked ladies are other common names for this plant) are blooming already and we have only just finished planting the last of the dahlias!!!!

Back to the lycoris -the yellow ones are just gorgeous this year, the pinks are doing well -no sign of the reds yet -but I wasn't really expecting  to see any for another couple of weeks.  We still have new season lycoris bulbs -so give us a call on 1-800-999-0567 Marlboro Bulb Co  or see www.marlborobulb.com or email info@marlborobulb.com