White in the Garden

An old fashioned suckering shrub that blooms early, though not so early this year, and resists cold temperatures Bridalwreath Spiraea (Spiraea prunifolia) in the spring border.
Because of its suckering habit can be used as a hedge and the tiny shoe button flowers would be perfect in something that it's common name suggests.

The Methly Plum blooming well after 3 years in the ground. Hoping for fruit this year.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/files/2010/10/stone-fruit.pdf

The beautiful Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star') is squashed between two 'Green Giant' Arborvitae I really don't know why it keeps blooming but it's too late to move it now. I'll just enjoy it's fragrance & lovely flowers for as long as it can capture a bit of sun in the morning. Another gardening lesson on determining the size of plants BEFORE you plant them! One bonus of this mistake is protection from frost.

Small Bulbs

A second flush of bulbs brings these little beauties.

This is 'Sailboat' under the Cherry tree.
I have also planted Ipheion with these in hopes of a carpet of blue for these to sail on but so far they haven't all agreed to co-operate.

These multi flowering  Festival Hyacinths have a much more natural look than the regular Orientalis. Same fabulous fragrance 
They have formed a nice clump in the spring border.

 I love the vivid blue of the grape hyacinth (Muscari) I just wish the rabbits would leave the foliage alone.

Ipheion uniflorum (below) called star flower is a much paler blue although there are varieties like 'Rolf Fiedler' that are deep blue but I have never made them do as well as the species.
These South American bulbs seed around and with their grass like foliage some let them be part of their lawn.What a lovely idea.

Daffodil Days (2)

In the circle these all came in a mix from Terra Ceia many years ago.

Daffodil Days

A few warm days have brought so many things into bloom.

Early & scented this introduced heirloom (named in 1756 by Linnaeus) the Campernelle Jonquil (Narcissus x odorus L.) multiplies quickly.

'Ice Follies' is popular worldwide these have been in the ground at least 10 years & still blooming well by the bench under the redbud tree.

'February Gold' here with the Mexican Feather Grass (Nasella tenuissima) at the curb is early and increases & comes back reliably

Sandy & Ruby

After ' Barr's Purple' has bloomed comes Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'

This variety almost glows the color is so deep. The tommasinianus crocus are said to be somewhat squirrel proof. Well, something ate the blooms from Barr's Purple & Iris 'Pixie' down by the driveway but I suspect a pesky rabbit since they were not dug just grazed.

Sandy had moved to the shade along with the crocus, well,
they didn't move but the sun did on this lovely day after a night rain.

Iris & Crocus

Mid seventies today finally got out in the garden.
Beside the driveway these Iris reticulata 'Pixie' are blooming along side 'Barr's Purple' Tommasinianus Crocus

Had tea on the porch (no scones) and felt something tickling my ear. First tick of the season, it seems rather unfair that we have suffered all this cold & snow & not killed off these pests!