Slo mo

Every time I check the weather, the forecast has changed. Rain has turned to chance of light snow or frozen mix despite daytime temps barely dropping below 40°F for the next ten days. Monday and Tuesday were mostly sunny and we hit 50°F both days, so there has been progress in the garden — just not with the snowdrops. Most still have barely appeared. But other things have. 

Paeonia japonica. I aways leave Peony stems in place in the autumn to mark the location come spring. Since they arrive early I want to be sure I don't step in the danger zone.

Paeonia mairei, a Chinese woodland Peony that blooms very early and can take some shade. I like Peony buds as much as the flowers. 

Since I planted a few Tulips acuminata in this bed last fall, that's what I am assuming these leaves represent. I caged them as soon as I took the photo. No other spring bulbs are showing anywhere else. 

Last spring, I planted three Galanthus 'Mrs. Macnamara' "in the green." Whether the other two will flower is unclear. 

At the same time I planted two bulbs of G. 'Wasp.' Clearly they are very happy. I'll be happy when they opens their "wings" and look more waspish.

Hamamelis vernalis is the spring-blooming witch hazel. Alas, it is not a Wisconsin native as I assumed when I planted it. Very insignificant flowers and a poor shot by the gardener. But you get the idea: The Carex growing beneath it is more interesting.

One of the drawbacks of Witch Hazels is the fact that they hold their leaves for a long time which often obscures the flowers. Luckily this is the only branch with foliage still on it. The green ribbon marks a tree that our aborist is treating.

Comments

[Beth@PlantPostings]

It seems like we're crawling into spring this year...slowly, slowly making progress. I finally have a few things blooming: Crocus tommasinianus and some snowdrops. So many things are above ground, but far from blooming. It will probably happen all at once when we suddenly get warmer. Hang in there.

[Kris P]

It must be exciting - if also frustrating - to see those beginning glimmers of spring, Linda. I noticed the first foliage from the Itoh peony I planted oh so many years ago yesterday - I guess I should try giving it a bit of fertilizer to support my vague hope that, one day, it might actually bloom.

[Ginny]

Its so uplifting to watch all the bulbs and perennials emerging, isn't it? Slow-mo magic! Your snow drops are so sweet. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I don't know what varieties mine are - there appears to be a couple different ones. I just watch them seed and spread. With the scillas, chionodoxas, aconite, snowdrops, and alliums, seeing where they travel to is like a study of how water flows on my landscape. Have you noticed this in your gardens? Its very interesting, the whole wonder of seed dispersal, isn't it?

[danger garden]

I feel your pain. We've finally had a few sunny days in the 60's, but now we're back into the 40's for highs and lows in the 30's with (the horror) snow forecast! My witch hazel was one of several things that up and died this winter, no blooms for me—but then again also no leaves sticking around. I hated when it did that.

[Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening]

Hamamelis vernalis isn't native to NY, either, but I hope you don't give up on it. Mine has taken several years to come into its own, and this year really looked like something. Since it responds to air temperature to bloom and not soil temperature, it flowers much earlier than any of the early bulbs.

[Linda Brazill]

KATHY — The flowers on mine are much smaller than on the H. virginiana but it's still nice to see something above ground level flowering in March. We got our biggest storm of the season Fiday night and most of Saturday morning. 10" at our house. Luckily warmer temps and rain this week should melt it.