Last Friday and Saturday brought us wonderful weather - perfect for getting some clean-up done in the gardens. The thermometer on our back patio registered 72ºF/22.2ºC at 4:00PM on Saturday! We haven't seen outdoor temperatures that high for what seems like a very long time!
Our first crocuses!
I found this busy little bee buzzing happily among the blooms.
It's so good to see color in the garden again!
Sunday was cloudy and wet, with quite heavy rain showers beginning in the afternoon and continuing overnight, but these bright yellow blooms appeared in spite of the inclement weather. Because of the clouds, they kept their petals closed, but today they opened their cheery little faces to the sunshine.
I also found these lovely striped blooms in the Lilac Garden, with the afternoon sun backlighting their petals.
If you look closely at the daffodils just to the left of the crocuses in the foreground of this picture, you'll see that they're budding. (click to enlarge for a closer look).
And around the corner in the Rose/Clematis Garden I found another clump with fat buds on them. I wonder how long it will take for them to open.
Last year I recorded, with my camera, the first daffodils opening on April 13th. It seems to me that these will be earlier than that.
Let's not forget the dear little snowdrops, making such a pretty display. The petals were closed when I took the photo of this group in the Pink Garden at 1:45PM.
I went out to check at 4:00PM and found them open in the warmth of the afternoon sunshine.
Several groups were planted here and there last summer and fall...all thinnings of the original group in the Rose/Clematis Garden. They multiply readily.
It's so good to see the bees buzzing around flowers again!
May April bring you gentle spring days!
39 comments:
Kerri, your patches of crocus are so pretty. You have bees too...lucky girl. Your garden in awakening now. Love those 70degree days. I will take every one.
Great shot of the bee! The crocuses are cheering me up and surprisingly mine are blooming at the same time as yours :-) I'll have to enjoy your snowdrops as mine are MIA.
Wow what a great collection of Crocuses. After such a long winter, spring is surely welcomed.
Those crocuses are beautiful! What a happy way to start the season!
Hi Kerri
I live in Brisbane Australia and I just love to watch the seasons change on your blog. We don't really get such noticable changes in the season living in the sub-tropics. It warm all year round and even our winters aren't that cold as you probably know . People here think it's cold when it's less than 20 degrees c.
I wish it was colder.
Cheers and enjoy the warmer weather,
Erica
Kerri you have reminded me that I really have to plant more Crocus this Fall .. and those Snowdrops are so pretty too ! : )
Crocus is so much prettier planted in large clumps. Your spring is not too far behind ours.
Hi Kerri, those striped lavender ones are my favorites. I wish I had planted some.
Marnie
Such lovely colors, Kerri! How did you manage to capture the bees! Man! I couldn't get them to pose for me :( They're too flitty for my turtlish camera. I love the Firefly variety, which I planted a month ago and am awaiting for the buds. Somehow they give out leaves, grow to about 2 inches, turn brown and die away. What could be wrong with them? Warm climate? Less water? Confused...
You must be glad to finally be seeing some flowers. They all look so pretty. I love seeing the first bees!
It's good to hear that Spring has finally knocked on your door and those flowers are simply amazing, Kerri.
I can image how you long for that much awaited warmth of the sun after the harsh and trying winter ...
Here in Malaysia, I think we have too much sunshine :)
Your gardens are springing with color! I love the snowdrops, but never think of planting them here. I look forward to seeing your garden emerge from the winter nap.
Cameron
Hi Kerri. We are just a touch ahead of you with the daffodils already blooming. I wouldn't say they are enjoying themselves very much tho since they are now getting blasted with artic wind AND covered with snow. We had such nice weather the beginning of March I think it coaxed them out a little too early? Yours will be beautiful really soon. I want to add the striped and yellow crocus to my garden this fall. For some reason I only have purple. A 70 degree day after cold and wind is heavenly, isn't it? Enjoy the spring temps while they last. Your garden and photos are beautiful to look at.
My snowdrops are still not budding...maybe the transplant shock of last year? No crocuses in this yard but daffodils are doing wonderfully.
The bright spring bulbs are so pretty, and enlivened by the visiting bees. I love purple and yellow crocus, and you have many clumps, including the spiffy purple striped ones. Your snowdrops are doing well for recent transplants, with lots of blooms. A few warm days really speeds up the flower opening.
Wow, that is warm.
Love the purple and the snowdrops.
Hi Kerri, your little bee and crocus are just joyous! We are so glad you are having some warmth along with flowers blooming. You certainly have a lot of daffodils ready to open. It will be wonderful. We seem to be a bit early on things here too.
Frances
Hi Kerri:-) I am so happy that you have so many colorful things blooming now, and to hear you had a bit of 70+ degree weather! Now that is a treat! I am sure the ground will warm more and more each day and you'll be in true spring mode. You really have a LOT of bulbs planted! It is worth the trouble, I can see from your photos!!
Hi Kerri, so nice you're enjoying those mild days when they happen! This time of year they can still be scarce.
The crocuses and snowdrops are so welcome, and yours are beautiful. They look just like spring.
Your posts are always so beautiful and full of color. Yes, spring is wonderful!
So many lovely blooms! Our crocus are fading, but daffodils are finally open and tulips are soon to follow. I'm envious of your temps. We're still around the low 40s.
Hi Kerri,
It's wonderful to see the beautiful springtime flowers in your garden. I know that just delights you :)
Those crocuses are just a vivid shad of purple aren't they!
It's great to see the bees too. Bill and I were just saying the other day that there didn't seem to be as many as in past years.
We're enjoying mild (but very windy) weather. Just came in from pulling weeds, which is a never ending job!
xoxo
Goodness, our crocuses are long gone and our snowdrops a distant memory. The daffodils are well out and some tulips also. How interesting that our gardens are so different at this time of year.
Both crocus and bees! Consider yourself blessed, Kerri! Also, that the wind that crossed the country today did not blow you or loved ones away :)
oh Kerri
that first photo!!
just bee-ootiful
Kerri, I can see Spring is visiting your garden and the crocus are beautiful! I love the deep purple colors with their orange anthers...so do the bees. Before long your daffs will be open...and I can enjoy them all over again...mine will be melted by the heat. I love blogging...we get to meet delightful people and see the seasons again and again!
Gail
Boy, I do miss color too when spring finally comes, I realize how much. That last bee show was fantastic. You should try to sell it somewhere. I know, enter it in Fine Gardening's photo contest.~~Dee
Kerri, I'm so glad that you have bees and blossoms in your garden once more. Can you believe that I don't have any crocus planted? Silly me. I certainly like your striped ones, but of course all colors are welcome after dreary winter. Yes, I agree with you that my red headed finch is a house finch. Now I see them daily with their cute little red heads. It's such a pleasure to see the birds discovering my feeder.
Hi Kerri, yes spring is wonderful, especially after a long cold winter. In your garden it looks like great things and expectations are happening. I love the Crocus, the colours so cheerfully bright. The dainty snowdrops are always favourites to be so brave and break out of the snow. Have you all your gardening tools ready Kerr...soon you will be a hoeing a hoeing...Happy spring days Kerri. T.
hi kerri,
what would we do without crocuses? thank goodness for them! it's a bit cool and windy here today, but i got the potager finished. hope your kids' visit went well. can't wait to see those daffs blooming!
WOW!
I love this post!!!
JUBILATION!!!! We're going to make it, Kerri, we really are! Your blooms are awesome...
Kerri,
Yes, spring is wonderful and it looks as if its really going to make it to upstate NY once again! Such pretty purples and cheery faces your crocuses give you this time of year. I always enjoy seeing the snowdrops on (northern)blogs... have never seen them in real time. They seem so sweet and delicate ... not to mention timely.
Here's to more 70 degree days for you to get out and about with the flowers and the bees! Have a blessed Sunday.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel
Spring has definitely arrived there. Your crocus and snowdrops are gorgeous. The daffodils will be blooming anytime now.
Now, that is COLORS OF THE GARDEN, Kerri! What a sight after a long white winter. I think that little bee feels the same way.
We got over two inches of rain here in southern Maine yesterday, but no snow. There is a chance of it up north for tonight. I know I shouldn't say this--but I put my shovel down cellar a couple of weeks ago. This is the first year I have done that, and not had to go bring it back up.
Happy Easter to you and your family
Hi Kerri, your flowers are so beautiful, good sign that Spring is there and you can enjoy some warm weather. So good to be here. Take care,
I don't have words to describe your pictures. They are indeed veeeeeeryyy
pretty.
Cheers!
I am so glad for you dear Kerri, that Spring has now arrived in your garden too. Winter was long and we finally "deserve" some color and all the flowers to enjoy. I hope the weather also stays warm (no bad frost anymore). Wishing you happy Easter with a lot of sparetime and sunshine too!
Barbara
Don't you just love this time of the year? Small spots of color from the garden make us so happy! I really must get some single snowdrops for Our Little Acre!
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