It has been warm enough that the early spring plants are popping up quickly. The only problem is that this coming week has overnight lows going down to 20°F.
Since they are early bloomers they may be fine with a big chill, but I don't want to take that chance. I'm covering them today with evergreen branches — just in case I am being too optimistic. The branches will be easy to remove and light enough not to harm anything.
Iris reticulata
One of the first Hellebores I ever bought, Royal Heritage Strain. I moved it a few years ago and it has settled in with no problems
Another old clump of Royal Heritage Strain Hellebores.
Helleborus niger 'Sunset Group' has large flowers that face outward and foliage that lies flat, making a very nice display.
Helleborus foetidus 'Red Silver,' aka Bear Claw Hellebore, is looking gorgeous. It's come through two winters very nicely.
The flowers are usually less dramatic on mine than in warmer climates.
One of the Hepaticas finally showing some color. This one can be seen across the garden once it's in bloom.
Two clumps of Crocus tommasinianus 'Lavender Striped' emerging through the old foliage of Japanese Blood Grass.
Erythronium 'Pagoda' are up before any of my other Erythroniums have made made an appearance.
Luzula 'Solar Flare' interplanted with snowdrops; an idea I adopted from Adrain Bloom's garden in the U.K. The big rock has lichens all over it that are the same color as the Luzula.
Before the cold weather hits us, I made a dwarf display of these early season favorites.
I couldn't resist placing it near this painting as the colors seemed to echo each other to me.
You have very lovely early birds! I hope they survive the low temps. Same thing is happening here though we are a little further along.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 07:03 AM
I love the Iris reticulata, which for some unknown reason I've never tried to grow. You don't see the bulbs sold locally but coincidentally I got my first fall planting catalog in the mail yesterday (!) and I marked the page as a reminder to order some of those bulbs this year. The weather seems increasingly erratic all over - as winter makes a return visit in your part of the country, it's suddenly summer here.
Posted by: Kris P | Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 07:28 PM
Ahh spring! So glad you are getting some flowers in Madison. I definitely need to get some of that iris!
Posted by: Kristin | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 08:13 AM
KRIS P. — By Friday our temps are going to start hitting the 50s and 60s which is too warm for the early bulbs. They are going to disappear quickly. Plus there are no April showers in the 10 day forecast which has me a bit nervous.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 08:37 AM
KRISTIN — Those Iris are in most bulb catalogs and are easy to grow. Plus there's nothing like early spring color.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 08:38 AM
Love these beautiful blooms. My Iris reticulata is up but it isn't blooming as yet. We too are getting that cold front coming through. Not looking forward to it. We are spoiled with some great early temps.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 01:08 PM
I covered my Hellebores, too, but nothing else. (Oh, I did cover the Rhubarb so I can eat it when it's bigger.) I'll be curious to see what the Daffodils look like tomorrow morning. I'm not enjoying this back-and-forth weather, but I suppose most of the plants will be OK. They always amaze me this time of year.
Posted by: Beth@PlantPostings | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 09:43 PM