All posts by jane

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – March 2020

backyard bed, bloom day, bulbs, loki bed, spring, the Lot

It’s the first Bloom Day I’m able to report blooms spotted on the Lot!

During the end of each Winter, after the snow drops (Galanthus) have emerged, we can expect the winter aconite (Eranthis cilicica) to bloom. Since planting these bulbs in the Fall of 2015, they have naturally spread. The little yellow flowers are also appearing in other parts of the Lot where I didn’t plant them. This may be due to a few squirrels fancying themselves as gorilla gardeners.

Yellow Blooms of Winter Aconite

Along with the winter aconite will come the Tommies, or early crocus (Crocus tommasinianus)…

Groupings of Purple Crocus

…and a few friends quite excited to see them.

Bee in Blooming Purple Crocus

Loading…In Progress

While the early spring bulbs are doing their thing, yet more bulbs are waiting in the wings. Here are some daffodils on the way out of the ground.

daffodil plants emerging from ground with crocus
daffodil plants emerging from ground

Always the first perennial to bloom on the Lot after winter, I caught sight of the Lenten rose (Hellebores) today as well. The foliage around the new growth in the center are the old stalks and leaves from last season’s growth. Even though the foliage is evergreen, I will eventually prune the old growth away to make room for the new.

New Growth Emerging from Lenten Rose

Emerging Spring

backyard bed, bulbs, house bed, spring, the Lot

We’re working our way out of a rather mild winter season on the Lot. The Other Half really enjoys snowdrops (Galanthus), one of the first bulbs to emerge here. I planted several groupings in sunny areas throughout the back garden, between the house and the garage. My thoughts in doing so were after our gray winters, we would easily be able to notice the first signs of spring.

I’m happy to report, the very first sighting was today!

Winter Arrives

berms, rambling thoughts, seeds, the Lot, to do

In our area of Zone 6a of the midwest US, I have mixed feelings about the winter months. I enjoy fresh snowfall and snowy days curled up on the couch with the four-footed garden management. For me, it allows a type of recharge, both physically and mentally. We gardeners in this corner of the Blue Dot do not have many months to spend in the garden. However, we hit it hard when we do. Now is a time for rest… and daydreaming about next season.

Most of the plants on the Lot have been hibernating for a solid month or so now. The only activity has been from the Hellebores as the temps flux up and down. “Winter Interest” can only do so much to counter consistently gray skies and rain/snow sleet mix. There isn’t much sun to speak of to show off all those carefully planned arrangements of brown in the garden beds. However, today we had our first good snowfall. The Lot was blanketed in a cozy cover of white fluff. Winter is fully here, which means Spring is on the way.

Big Dreams in All the Spaces

As we wait for Winter to play its part, I’m already thinking of plans for the Lot this year. Here are a few I’d like to log and revisit later:

  • Plant a sedge lawn
  • Create a rock garden berm
  • Plant more Mexican sunflower in the back garden
  • Try again to start some annual ornamentals from seed

TOTALLY doable in one season, right?