At last! A few of the blooms reached their peak on Mahonia ‘Arthur Menzies’, albeit only the few that were hidden away and protected by foliage. The big, showy one on the top of the plant fell victim to freezing weather, as in seasons past.
The first few Forsythia flowers have opened, with many to follow soon. I like it best right now, though the full display is admittedly more dramatic.
Spring is such a yellow season. The Tete a Tete daffys are the first of the Narcissi to bloom. There they are, off to the side. I’m partial to the paler, creamier yellow of the dangling blossoms sparsly adorning the bare branches of Stachyrus praecox. Tiny matching butterflies hover around them, then disappear as the flowers fade.
The greenish yellow of Euphorbia wulfenii is in that early stage where it looks like the large congregation is bowing its heads in prayer.
Not all is yellow. I planted lots of Muscari latifolia scattered about, hoping that they would multiply, as advertised. So far, no colonizing tendencies, but I do love that little dot of blue peeking through the tapestry of ground covers.
These, however, are increasing at a satisfying rate. The first of the Tulipa kaufmania ‘Shakespeare’ will soon be joined by dozens more. Cloudy days leave them closed up like this, but all it takes is a few stray rays of sunshine for them to open fully and show their hidden beauty.
A fragrant ground cover of common violets has the sense to bloom early, when there is little competition. A few stems in a tiny vase can scent an entire room.
People always seem to be seeking blue flowers, so I leave this rampant weed to flower wherever it will not out-compete things I’m trying to baby along. Anyone know what it’s called?
I’ve never been fond of the screaming salmon color of the quince we have, but if I cut a few branches just when the buds are beginning to swell, they bloom indoors in lovely pale, blushing shades.
And I love the pale orange sherbet shade of the Kalanchloi fedtschenkoi, which just illustrates how quirky and opinionated one’s color sense can be, with the fine line between “screaming salmon” and “pale orange sherbet”. Speaking of which, a new (to me) blogger, Anna Kullgren, has an entertaining essay on the subject, poking fun at Pantone’s color of the year.
Thanks for the pingback! I think your blue weed is a Veronica of some kind. I have some too, and – like you – appreciate its presence. 🙂
I ‘m always tempted to bring a bunch of those little blue weeds home from my walks, I don’t have any… probably should just what for the for-get-me -nots
You have a lot of lovely plants in bloom Ricki! I love the Muscari peeping out, mine are still green shoots at the minute. I adore those quince branches!! Really pretty. Screaming salmon must be a winner with me !! : )
I’m so glad you finally got to enjoy a few mahonia blooms! And I do love the sound of “screaming salmon quince”
It will be a few weeks yet before we get to enjoy these blooms here. Oregon grape is a native here and it grows like crazy out in the back fields. A beauty of a plant.
Anna K~Maybe V. hederifolium?
Linda~The forget-me-nots are almost as invasive.
Anna B~Looks like I’m giving you a little preview of what you have to look forward to.
Loree~Proof that the mild winter extended to Scappoose.
Sensible G~It’s our state flower, but not the one I show here…never satisfied with the stuff that comes easily.
So glad to know there is someone else who “winces at the quinces” 😉
Scott~Oh, I love that: “winces at the quinces”