The headline in today's local paper was "Spring dreams," with the subtitle "This winter, too shall pass." I don't need to take it on faith, I've seen the evidence. The above freezing temperatures over the weekend and half of yesterday significantly reduced the amount of snow on the ground, allowing me to find this:
the sprouting leaves of a Monkshood (unknown species of Aconitum). This plant is in a microclimate of a raised bed against the east side of the house, but a microclimate does not explain away this:
an already leafing out volunteer Viburnum. Once this week's chilly days pass, I'm certain this Witchhazel will finally unfurl its petals.
Huzzah!
29 comments:
Those are great pictures! I usually find myself watching the plants out of the ground at this time of the year, too. Only this year there hasn't been any need as spring is ahead a month of its normal schedule, the crocuses being almost gone already. It didn't do them much good because there was hardly enough sun for them to unfold their petals. So there can be a curse in mild weather, too. (I don't know if this helps :))
I can't wait to see signs of life in my garden .. you are lucky !
I also have Monkshood and viburnum so I will have to have a closer look when i get out again .. right now we are under a winter storm watch until late tomorrow .. BIG sigh !
Joy
We've just one pile of snow left on the north side, maybe 2x3'. That's as close to spring as it gets in NE in early March. Hmph.
Ohmygoodness! Can it be? ;-)
I'm have to leave for downtown, but I think I'll tour the yard quickly, first!
Yep the first signs of spring have arrived. My driveway is about 8 inches deep in slush and the snow around the house foundation has melted. AT least I didn't have to bundle up like a toddler in a snowsuit yesterday.
I'm seeing signs of spring too. Buds are swelling. Hellebores are blooming. Bulbs are coming up. And after two days of 65 degree temps, I'm having to restrain myself from planting!
Robin at Bumblebee
There are red buds on one of our Maples! We have a few other signs of spring too, after yesterday's gorgeous weather, but they're covered by a new layer of snow this afternoon. Not deep, but everything's white again! Nevermind, it won't be long until warmer temps now..a day here, a day there!
Hooray, you and some of the other more northern gardeners are getting some well deserved thaw! We don't want to be the only ones being renewed by the warmer temps down here. There is still plenty of cold for us a' comin', but the corner has been turned. Yea! Can't wait to see shots of that witch hazel, it looks like it has lots of buds.
Frances at Faire Garden
I wish the same thing would be happening here ...
It's good to see your snowdrops and see that spring is actually happening somewhat near here. We are not usually that far behind.
Too bad leaving a message here doesn't give you any points. Darn.
I know what a sigh of relief I breathed when that first shoot was spotted! I can feel your excitement!
Yipeee it looks like sping might actually find you... Hang in there MMcD. Can't wait to see those Witch Hazel blooms.
Yay! Glad to see the snow is melting. Isn't it amazing to see what's growing under there when it finally disappears?
Nice post and pics! Thx for visiting my blog. I wish I knew what type of magnolia mine is (in my picture). It is a large tree and pre-existed our ownership by decades. Ideas on how to determine exactly what it is?
Carol
terranovadesign@blogspot.com
Well... there's nothing out there, yet. We've got a nice hard layer of ice all over the yard. Things will remain mulched for a bit longer. It's too cold out there. (I don't have a sunny southern exposure... although I do have much more sun now than I will later!) ;-)
I'm so happy for you, though. And, I won't be far behind. :-)
Oooh... great pictures. I'm still jealous, though--I just have one little sign of spring. (Newly sprouted species tulips.) Not even my snowdrops or aconites are up yet!
Gardennews - thanks for visiting! I know what you mean about warm weather cooking bulb blossoms. I don't grow late blooming Daffodils for that reason - there's always a day early in May in the 80s that ruins all the flowers.
Garden Joy 4 Me - welcome! Dig under the snow, you never know what you'll find. I hope all that new snow melts quickly. For the first time this year the snows are supposed to miss my area. (Fingers crossed!)
Benjamin Vogt - hey, you've got way less snow than I have. "Always look on the bright side of life." (Eric Idle)
Shady Gardener - I thought those Crocus shot on your recent post were current. You'll have to start planting early bloomers in microclimates around your house.
WiseAcre - I'm picturing you as the little brother in "A Christmas Story," crying because he couldn't move. At this point, slush is good.
Robin - 65F would feel great, just remember to put sunscreen on those white legs.
Kerri - sounds like the Maples will be blooming any day now. It's so inspiring.
Frances - my Witchhazel didn't bloom last year, so it looks like it's trying to make up for it with extra buds this year. It should be stunning. I'm getting impatient.
Kate - I think I read somewhere that Spring advances by about 50-100 miles per week. It's coming, that's for sure. If you want more points, you could always send me a message at my plot on Blotanical.
Layanee - it's hard to restrain myself from trying to dig everything out of the snow.
Lisa - I've been looking at those Witchhazel buds since January. Everything has been frozen in suspended animation, literally, by that rotten February weather.
Entangled - I'm always surprised at how things keep right on growing under the snow. So although I complain about it, I'd rather have snow than cold without the protection of snow, which sets the plants back more.
Carol - thanks for visiting! There are several monographs on Magnolias that would probably help you ID yours. I guessed that it is M. stellata because that's one of the earliest bloomers & usually has white flowers. As for figuring out which cultivar you've got, I can't help there, as I still don't know which one I have (it also came with the house). Good luck.
Blackswamp Girl - I can't even find my Aconites yet. Some of the Snowdrops are sticking up out of the snow, but the rest are still buried. I haven't seen any Hellebores in a month. But soon, we will both have things all bursting out at once. When Spring arrives, it's going to be a great one.
Those are very encouraging signs of spring and who knows why some plants do what they do, like that Viburnum? I like to figure out where the microclimates in the garden are, to use them to get earlier blooms.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I had a quick glimpse of spring, then it was covered over again by more snow. I'm doing my best to will the snow away and encourage the arrival of spring. Doing my spring dance and chanting, "Hurry up spring, hurry up spring." I will not give up hope.
Shady Gardener's earlier comment made me laugh out loud. I'm eagerly anticipating my garden tours too! No need for multi-vitamins to perk us up when we can have multi-daily garden viewings!
Carol - at my previous house, I had a sunny southern exposure that was microclimate heaven. Here, I have to make do with an eastern exposure, as the south side of the house is in shade. I think the Viburnum must be responding to the daylight & is on its own idiosyncratic schedule.
Hi, 2 Greenthumbsup! Don't you wish you had a giant blowdryer & could just melt it all already? Maybe you should record that Spring dance/chant & post it on YouTube. I truly think gardening is the best mental therapy.
No spring here yet, MMD. Or if it's here it's under the snow. Ans we're supposed to get MORE snow on Saturday. What's with that?
It's official, spring is definitely on its way in your garden. Those witch hazel buds look very promising! Here they have finished flowering.
And how lovely to see your snowdrops! It's so good to see the garden waking up, isn't it? Enjoy!!!
Have a great weekend!
Dirty Knees - it's called "Canada." Sorry, I couldn't resist. I do feel bad for all you Canadians with your gardens still buried under the snow & your selves still locked in winter. Hang in there, it's only a matter of time now.
Yolanda Elizabet - this weekend is supposed to be the last of the below normal temperatures, so I expect to see big changes in the garden next week. Yesterday I noticed that the snow had melted enough to reveal part of a Hellebore - go Spring!
I can't think of anything nicer than the first signs of Spring!
/Katarina at Roses and stuff
How exciting. Makes me want to go dig down under the cover of leaves, and see what I might find in there. :) Spring is coming. Thanks for the hope.
Katrina - the only thing nicer is the first warm day of Spring.
Kevin & Michele - thanks for visiting! As you are on the far south side, your weather is probably about a week ahead of mine, so I bet things are starting to sprout in your garden too.
ahhh... spring is coming for you and the witch hazel is a promising sign in spite of the chill still in the air. All the way down here in Florida we are actually dipping to 37 degrees tonight-- very unusual for this time of year.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Meems @HoeandShovel
Meems - thanks for the return visit! This week it's going to be Spring, the Witchhazels petals are starting to unfurl!
What promising signs of spring! My witch hazel had unfurled its red petals and has been blooming for nearly 2 weeks... it's about the only sign of spring, at the moment... Deb
Gardenauthor - everyday I go out & stare at my Witchhazel buds hoping that today is the day. Maybe this afternoon...
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