Here We Go!

This wacky winter has turned into a surprisingly early spring. The calendar may still say its winter (and, of course, there could...shudder...still be some weather ahead...) but the plants outside aren't listening (or is that reading? ha).

The daffodils are beginning, the earliest since I started keeping records ('06) and I suspect since we came back here to stay ('99). And, like every year, I get all excited about the snowdrops and crocus. Really, (smiling) these would all get lost in the explosion of late spring to summer flowers so I always applaud their cleverness in being such early bloomers.

Before I forget, the two sold out ones from Temple (as of Jan. 17) are Blonde Inge and John Gray. With that, below are pictures of Scharlockii and Viridapice which look similar to me except...and it's kind of a big except...Scharlockii is a tiny little thing at 5" (I don't even think mine are that tall) and Viridapice is larger at 8". However, they do look quite a bit different from the other snowdrops I have...

Scharlockii...


Viridapice...


Fragrant shrubs are doing their thing...it's glorious if I do say so myself...all my daphnes are blooming now, the two in the back as well as the front one, Alden's Regal Red...pictured below...


Even my S.C. tea olive is getting in the show...


Those tea olive blooms are mighty tiny, but mighty powerful in fragrance...so wonderful to have it and the daphnes going....

Always a very reliable early bloomer, my Pink Dawn Viburnum is going strong...


Another diminutive flower, iris reticulata....


One more note before I end with the obligatory crocus pictures...I've removed four varieties of daffodils from my garden, sadly stricken with daffodil virus. As those who have been with me for a while know, I collect daffodils. Listen, listen, listen...only buy from trusted sources. These were all rather common varieties, so, thankfully, should I decide to replace them, it shouldn't be too hard. Actually, I think have most of them duplicated, already, now that I think of it. Let me just say that should you most unfortunately see this in your garden...be ruthless! Do not hesitate...because it will spread. I have had to learn this lesson twice: first with my oriental lilies and now. I'm optimistic that I've got it under control and will watch very closely a couple other varieties that are somewhat near where I removed these from. If I see any sign, out OUT OUT they will go. No mercy.

So, here we go....




The above ones are a named variety, Lilac Beauty.

With that, we should see Cream Beauty, yes? Cream Beauty is usually the first one to bloom here...