Groundhog Day 2012

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daffodils, February, groundhog, groundhog day, prediction, prognostication, Spring, tradition, weather, winter

Groundhog Day… (readers outside of North America, read here) I love the possibility of early Spring. Being a Pennsylvania resident, it’s a big deal, after all it’s our groundhog that is the infamous one.

However, I never understood the logical behind the prognostication. Seeing your shadow should signal that it’s sunny and thus have an early Spring, not 6 more weeks of winter. Andhow trustworthy is his prediction anyway? Two weeks ago he was gallivanting at the PA farm show, not hibernating. hmm…

Do You See What I See?

Regardless of his prediction, this week I spotted my daffodil popping up through the soil. Usually this time of year it’s my crocuses.

Hey Punxsutawney Phil, BRING IT ON!

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This Week in My Garden

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blooms, bulbs, cyclamen, daffodils, flowers, gardening, landscaping, pink flowers

The cyclamen have begun to bloom in my shade garden, providing a sudden pop of pale pink and tinges of magenta.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen Close-Up

My minnow daffodils seem to be confused, the bulbs sent up new leaves thinking it was already Spring. I will be curious to see if they bloom…

Confused Daffodils

What’s going on in your garden now?

This Week in My Garden

Tags

bleeding heart, daffodils, frog, gardening, landscaping, Minnow Daffodils, Spring, Spring blooms, Spring flowers, Tête-à-Tête daffodils, tulips

The first light of dawn, the rays of sunlight stretch across the sky. My photo does not do it justice.

Dawn's First Light

The crocuses are long gone, yet my full size daffodils are still blooming. My Tête-à-Tête daffodils and towards the middle of their bloom and my minnow daffodils and grape hyacinths are in their full glory. My bleeding heart had a lone strand of bright flowers dancing in the wind (which cause the picture to turn out blurry). My nearby hostas are popping through the earth and mulch.

Baby Bleeding Heart

I had a visitor while I was cutting flowers to bring into the house. I went to get my camera and he was hiding in the weeds near my rock wall when I returned. I think he’s a wood frog.

Wood Frog Friend

Most of my tulips bulbs seem more sparse this year. However, I have a few batches that look great, they’re ready to bloom any day. And my mint is popping up right off the side of my patio! The lilac bush is filling out with leaves and my rose bushes are growing rapidly. My Japanese Maple is covered in seeds and tiny leaves are beginning to unfold.

Tulip Town

Tall Tulips

The unusually warm Spring has been a blessing to some flowers and a curse to others. It was 89°F on Tuesday (one year ago that day, we had our last snow!) and 90°F Wednesday. Hubster had to mow our lawn twice already! I enjoy all the cherry trees (especially the dainty branches of the weeping cherry) in full bloom throughout our town, they’re my favorite flowering tree. Maybe next Spring, I’ll have one in my garden…

What is you favorite flowering shrub or tree?

Daffodil Daze

Tags

daffodils, grape hyacinths, Minnow Daffodils, narcissus, Tête-à-Tête daffodils

I recently read somewhere, about a trick to keep your cut daffodils longer-lasting. Turn daffodils upside down and fill the stem with water, plug the bottom with a small wad of cotton and then place into vase of water. I decided to give it a go with my daffodils. I always cut my flowers in the morning or late at night, when it’s cool. Combining new tricks with old, I cut and arranged my full-size, Tête-à-Têtes, and minnow daffodils.

Daffodil Daze

I arranged the flowers into groups with height appropriate glass vases. I added my grape hyacinths for a splash of color and contrast in texture. I love varying the height, colors and textures of flower arrangements. I left the daffodils in the kitchen for the day, before deciding to relocate to my bathroom vanity.

What is your favorite cut flower to bring inside?

Easter Flowers

Tags

daffodils, Easter, Easter flowers, flowers, hyacinths, Minnow Daffodils, Tête-à-Tête daffodils

Happy Easter Everyone!!

No matter when Easter falls, my hyacinths are in full bloom. It’s been a gorgeous weekend here, temperatures into the 80’s (and to think it was sleeting a few days ago).

Purple Hyacinths

Easter Hyacinths

My tête-à-tête daffodils are blooming, just a few inches taller than the early blooms. My minnow daffodils are beginning to awaken to a new world.

Minnow Daffodils

Minnow Daffodils & Tete-a-tete Daffodils

Weekend Work = Gorgeous Garden

Tags

bulbs, chicks and hens, crocus, crocuses, daffodils, gardening, iris, perennial gardening, Spring, spring bulbs, Tête-à-Tête daffodils

Today was vernal equinox, the day and night are the same length… Spring started today at 1:32p.m. (I think…). Flowers are blooming, peepers are out and it’s the second gorgeous weekend in March. It’s the first weekend we’ve been able to get out into the garden and do some work. What better way to welcome the Spring?

After pulling a few early weeds and removing dead leaves and dried brush, my gardens were beginning to come back to life. In my front perennial garden, the small clusters of purple, golden-yellow, and pale yellow crocuses playfully beckoned me to stay and enjoy, their open smiles showing their orange tongues. I need to cut back the weed barrier a little more to make more room for them as they continue naturalize.

Crocus Cluster

My island garden and my side garden didn’t show me much color or new growth, I’ll have to be sure to add earlier color next year. Hubster was busy raking the sticks up from the yard, he returned the falling rocks to the rock wall and dug around the rock border to my perennial gardens. I need to re-mulch the gardens this year, but that task is left for another gorgeous Spring day.

I’m extremely anxious to see my new Spring bulbs fill my shade garden this year. The first of my tête-à-tête daffodils are blooming! They are only a finger high and so beautiful. Many green peaks are showing great promise for this Spring.

Tete-a-tete Daffodils

I trimmed up my urn planters, the midnight Salvia, boxwood and ivy all made it through the winter and show new growth. First year I successfully winterized these planters!

My gardening today gave me a fruitful collection of plants to spread to other new gardens. Look at all the iris seeds, iris rhizomes, and chicks and hens I get to plant. The dreams and plans I have for this planting season…

A great day!.. except when my curious border collie got bit by a garter snake who was protecting my garden. She didn’t like that too much, she is fine, just a little startled. I think she’ll think twice before entering my garden again.

Seeds to Sow

Rhizone Roots

Chicks and Hens

Punxsutawney Phil

Tags

crocus, crocuses, daffodil, daffodils, garden, gardening, signs of Spring, Spring, Spring flowers

Today is Ground Hog’s Day and Punxsutawney Phil forecasted?.. 6 more weeks of winter.

Despite Phil’s prediction, the whipping winds and lack of sunshine, my early Spring garden is already starting to show small signs of life. During the last two weeks, my ears thawed to the lone bird singing soulful Spring songs, calling the plants to awaken and thrive.

My crocuses have pushed through the soil and mulch.

Crocuses Arise

Where something seemed to dig, I saw my daffodils were starting to wake up from their cold winter’s nap.

Daffodils Awake

These small flecks of green, across the dreary  winter landscape, renew my energy as they remind me that life is still all around. This is why Spring is my favorite season.

What early signs of Spring have brightened your blustery winter?