Sunday, March 15, 2009

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - March '09

Oh yes, we have outdoor blooms - at long last!
Perhaps the diminutive snowdrops (Galanthus) don't seem like a very big deal, but they are to those of us who have looked at nothing but snow-covered gardens almost every day since last November.

Yesterday they looked like this....with buds still closed against the cool air and cloudy skies.

But with today's bright sunshine, and temperatures climbing to a little over 60ºF (15.5ºC), they opened their sweet faces to greet the warmth of the sun. Pure bliss!

Daffodils are sending up their green spears, but usually don't bloom until about the second week in April, so we'll have to wait patiently for those lovely nodding yellow heads for almost another month.

These are Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus), which are fall blooming, but their leaves can be seen in the spring and then disappear in summer during the bulb's dormant period. The spice, saffron, is derived from the dried stigma of the flower. My generous gardening friend, Marie, shared these with me. Posted by Picasa

The front gardens are ready for clean-up and the lawn is showing very little color, but we'll begin to see more green before long. Mud season is upon us!

There are still patches of snow to be seen on the hills and in the hedgerows, but the yard is bare of snow at the moment. We'll probably see at least a little more before we're done with it.

Happily, inside the house we do have some color!
I grabbed the camera to catch the afternoon sun as it backlit the plants on Friday afternoon. It's such a beautiful time of day.
The pink Abutilon on the left has 6 new blooms...with just one of them showing here. It's had flowers since early January.

The other Abultilon is "Gold Dust". Its many buds began opening on March 2nd. Posted by Picasa

The variegated leaves are as beautiful as those orange blooms.

The Star Begonia has added more flower stems to the original 2 which have been blooming since late January.

Those delicate pink flower clusters are held high above the lovely, star-shaped leaves.

The Parlour Palm is sporting a third flower cluster, with one more yet to open. Posted by Picasa

Here's a closer look at these strange little blooms.

I caught the red Ivy Geranium glowing in the sunshine in an upstairs window this afternoon.

And the Rieger Begonia blooms on. I'm amazed at how long these gorgeous pink blooms last! Posted by Picasa

To see what's blooming far and near in other gardens, visit Carol of May Dreams Gardens.

Happy Bloom Day everyone!
Stay tuned for dazzling daffodils next month!

40 comments:

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

I'll bet it is such a welcome sight after all the snow. I love the pretty "Gold Dust" with the varigated leaves.

I hope you do not have too many more days with snow.

EAL said...[Reply]

I fear I take them for granted as well, but snowdrops are lovely, especially their fragrance.

EAL said...[Reply]

You have a lovely property by the way.

Cathy S. said...[Reply]

Lovely Blooms! I still don't know
why I cannot get the Geraniums to
bloom indoors, this is a big mystery
for me..

F Cameron said...[Reply]

Your plants (inside and out) look wonderful! Aren't you glad to see the ground again?

Cameron

Robin's Nesting Place said...[Reply]

Hopefully all of your snow will be melted by weeks end! We are warming up here and should soon see some daffodils blooming!

sweetbay said...[Reply]

Such lovely pictures Kerri. I bet you are happy to see these signs of spring.

You obviously have the touch with indoor plants. They are beautiful.

Lesley said...[Reply]

You're about 2 or 3 weeks behind us season wise as our snowdrops are waning and the daffs are just beginning to open. Spring!!!

Lesley x

Tabor said...[Reply]

I received a pot of snowdrop when I retired and was told to be careful as they spread like crazy. I now have nice batch of them to reward me this spring. We are south of you and while they are up, not a bud or bloom in site yet!

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

Snowdrops do melt the heart when they appear in spring. I just love seeing your indoor garden too. I have grown abutilon as an annual but have never brought them inside. I think I will do that this year. They are such sweet looking blooms. Almost like they are made of crepe paper.

CanadianGardenJoy said...[Reply]

Kerri ! You have such amazing indoor plants girl ! I love seeing them too : )
Snowdrops .. they are almost my favorite Spring flowers .. looking good there girl !
You are so lucky to live in the country .. there must be some awesome night skies there .. I remember some of your sunset and sunrise pictures .. beautiful : )

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

Your home must be perfect for plants. How do you keep your kitties for destroying them?

I love the leaves on the
Abultilon, pretty even when not blooming.
Marnie

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
Those snowdrops must have been quite the welcome sight :)
You have so many pretty indoor plants with color. I'm sure they brighten up the dark winter months.
I'll look forward to your daffodils as ours are nearly done here!
xo

Cat with a Garden said...[Reply]

Yay to the snowdrops! Our mom loves them too, but ours are gone already. Your house plants look fabulous, we would certainly like to chew on them. ; )
Your feline friends Siena & Chilli.

Pat said...[Reply]

Your house plants are wonderful.
Almost want to buy some. :)
So nice everyone is showing their blooms...yay Spring !

joey said...[Reply]

Your 'diminutive' snowdrops look amazing to me, Kerri (great photos). We've rounded the corner, dear friend ... spring is springing! As always, enjoyed my visit.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

The views of your brown countryside sure look familiar! Ah well, soon it will all green up again, and we'll be ready to garden, right? Your indoor blooms and snowdrops will have to hold you over till the real garden comes alive.

Elzie said...[Reply]

Beautiful flowers and pictures as always.
Hope you have a nice day.
Love Elzie

Anonymous said...[Reply]

It must be exciting to get your first snow drops coming out. You've got some lovely flowers. Will you collect saffron from your crocuses?

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri, You have a huge indoor garden! Do you have blooms all winter? I like the looks of that parlor palm, and the color is a good accent to reds and pinks.

Rose said...[Reply]

I understand exactly how you feel, Kerri--those of us who have been looking at snow-covered or frozen brown landscapes for so long appreciate the brave blooms of snowdrops or the promise of life those daffodil leaves represent.
Your houseplants look so colorful, but I'm especially impressed with the ivy geranium. I thought my mother was the only one who could over-winter geraniums like this:)

By the way, I stopped by per Carol's request to visit other Bloom Day posts, and was pleasantly surprised to find your blog--I've seen your comments on so many other blogs I visit; it's nice to meet you!

Judy Birmingham (Seeing Anew Blog) said...[Reply]

I need to plant some snowdrops! Yours are lovely, and I'm sure, very welcome!

Jan said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, I'm so happy for you that you are seeing signs of spring, and those snowdrops are a refreshing sight! Believe it or not, I don't have any, but will have to fix that this fall! It looks like you have a LOT of gardening areas on all that land...that's a lot to keep up with!! Your indoor plants have some lovely blooms and I'm sure it's been uplifting to see them all winter. I hope you won't have to endure any more snow! Sunny, warmer days are ahead of you!

joco said...[Reply]

Hiya Kerri,
Abutilon indoors. Or course. Now why didn't I think of that. They are too fragile to be asked to live out in the open.
Your (bird) comment made me smile.
Our snowdrops are now well and truly over. They were magnificent this year. Later than usual because of the cold, but so long lasting and generous. I divided about 200 of them yesterday. Sore back, I can tell you.
joco

Anonymous said...[Reply]

This is one spring bloomer that is missing from my garden. I will have to make sure to plant some these this fall. It's nice to have all those indoor blooms to cheer you up over a long winter.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I don't know why I don't have any snowdrops in my garden ~ anything blooming early in spring would be a bonus in Colorado too. I must remember to add them this fall. Glad your snow is melting. You really have a spectacular indoor bloom display. I hauled my pink abutilon down to the basement last fall to force it into dormancy. I see it has a few green leaves sprouting out now. I'm wishing I'd kept it going as yours is so pretty. Happy Spring!

Kylee Baumle said...[Reply]

Kerri,once again I am dazzled by your houseplants! So lush and healthy and beautiful!

I love your snowdrops, too. I need to get some like that. I only have the doubles, but I love the simplicity and the cleaner look of the singles. And I know EXACTLY how that feels when you find the first bloom on them! :-)

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

The snow may be lurking, hoping to take one last swipe at you, Kerri, but what consolation those abutilons and geraniums must be - they're as pretty as summer flowers in the golden late day sun.

Happy GBBD!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, your blooms are beautiful, both inside and out. I found the photos of the palm flowers fascinating. You have really captured their mystery! Snowdrops are not common here. I think it might be too warm and dry, but we had success with the five bulbs planted last fall and will get more, many more, for you are an inspiration with yours. :-)
Frances

Meems said...[Reply]

Hi kerri,
I always enjoy seeing snowdrops in the northern gardens. It must be wonderful to see happy signs of life even with real snow still on the ground. Your indoor plants are really lovely. I like that foliage, too... it is striking. Took a look through your post on containers and had a blast looking at all the combinations. I even recognize many of the flowers and foliage. LOL
Soon now, you will have your hands in the dirt again... Happy spring.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Thanks Keri,

Yes i hope to have a wonderful time here in this blogging world, Its really a wonderful tool to learn, inetract and share all around the world.

WiseAcre said...[Reply]

Again I'm reminded too late about the Snowdrops. I'll just have to enjoy yours and hope to remember planting some for next year.

Balisha said...[Reply]

I followed you from Barbee's blog this morning and so glad that I did.What wonderful blooms in the house...it's almost as good as outdoors. Love your blog.

Marie said...[Reply]

I love this post!
Beautiful photos!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

You have some wonderful indoor plants Kerri - they look so lush and healthy.
K

Katarina said...[Reply]

Kerri, it's nice that spring has arrived with snowdrops and other bulbs. And you have some fabulous Abutilon inside your house - very beautiful!
Katarina

Val said...[Reply]

Just think, last year my parlour palm was flowering at the same time as yours, but in my office. Now its in my home and I have no office. Hurrah!!!

We have really had an amazingly warm couple of weeks, quite like summer. All the bulbs and spring flowers have flourished in the early sun, as have the humans.

I feel so blessed to have all this extra flowering time, when you are still marvelling at snowdrops.

Such an exciting time of year!

Reginas Cottage said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri
Loveley flowers.
Greetings from Germany
Regina

Sigrun said...[Reply]

Kerri, your Abutilon is so cute!

And your photos are wonderful like always!

Sigrun

Unknown said...[Reply]

Oh my goodness, Kerri... I am in love with that 'Gold Dust' abutilon! Lovely!