Spring at last...spring at last!!! The temperatures are finally moving up into the 50's and even the lower 60's after a long and snowy winter and the bulbs are making their appearance, popping their lovely blooms up from the earth awakening from their dormant sleep. For a while I didn't think they would ever appear, especially after an April Fool's storm (well the day before) that graced us with five inches of snow. Thankfully the snow melted by the next day and all was right with the garden once again. It is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and a good one it is with some color to show in the garden. Join me for the tour while we take notice of what the month of April has to offer!
Purple Crocus
I must say that spring is my favorite time of year when there is so much anticipation and I await the garden to display its outstanding beauty. The winter was rough but the cold does indeed help the perennials to be bigger and brighter than ever so I am hoping it will be a good season.
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| White Crocus |
The blooms of crocus are one of the first signs of spring and am glad that I added more bulbs last fall. I can view them in the perennial garden that can be seen right from my window. I adore the simplicity of the flower and deep purple and pure white blooms.
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| Purple & White Striped Crocus |
The striped variety are enjoyable too! The flowers close at night and open during day as much to greet the warmer summer rays that are upon them.
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| Purple Crocus 'Remembrance' |
Here is one of the newer clumps I planted out by the pool last year...so purple!
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| Pink Hyacinth |
The pink and purple Hyacinths are emerging as well. Within the past two weeks winter is becoming a distant memory as tightly bundled buds are unraveling into full blooms.
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| Purple Hyacinth Bud |
Spring has arrived and Mother Nature is catching up on her artwork at last.
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| Purple Hyacinth Bloom |
It is wonderful to be able to walk out into the garden in the morning once again and take note of what is blooming day by day. Each stroll seems as if seeing the garden all over again for the first time as blooms appear almost over the coarse of a few hours.
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| Viola 'Johnny Jump Ups" Besides the blooms in the garden I bought these Violas at the local nursery on opening day. I think I was one of the first gardeners in the parking lot. With great enthusiasm I stood before rows of brightly colored Violas, Pansies and Daffodils just waiting to be purchased for the back stoop. Upon arrival at home it was evident that the gardening season had begun! |
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| Viola- "Johnny Jump Ups" |
Here we are up close and personal with this "Johnny Jump Up" to admire its beautiful and delicate structure.
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| Salix caprea 'Pendula' |
Salix caprea 'Pendula (Weeping Pussy Willow) is blooming away by the back patio. It seems to be having a banner year and is loaded with catkins just bursting open.
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| Weeping Pussy Willow |
Each day the catkins open a little more to expose the pollen grains.
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| Pussy Willow Catkin April |
Here is a view taken with my macro lens to show nature's artwork up close. I read somewhere that up to two million pollen grains can be produced on each individual catkin. Now that's a lot of pollen!
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| Sedum 'Brilliant' April |
Along with blooms there is much going on with foliage as well. Here is my Sedum 'Brilliant' showing its perfectly shaped clusters of pale green rosettes as it emerges in the garden. Even when Sedum isn't flowering its unusual succulent-like foliage is interesting to look at.
Even the elongated foliage of Hyacinth displaying slightly pinkish tips is interesting at this time of year. Oh how I love spring!
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| April Blooms: Daffodils and Johnny Jump Ups |
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| Magnolia 'Royal Star' Buds |
And just in time for April Bloom Day are the pure white blooms of the Star Magnolia...
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| Magnolia 'Royal Star' Blooms |
with the fragrance of sweet perfume that I have so grown to love.
There is a such a thrill with each passing day as more blooms emerge with an abundance of color and fragrance. I hope you enjoyed your stroll in my April garden. Please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow-Up. Thank you for the visit and if you leave a note I will know you dropped by to say hello and I will be sure to visit you as well! Last but not least...may all your gardens bring you everything you wish for!
As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2014. All rights reserved
