Early Spring Blooms Displayed in a Vase

Despite the inclement weather we have had during the first days of March, there is definitely progress in my spring garden; it is rapidly coming alive.  Bulbs are starting to bloom and more and more green shoots are emerging in all the flower beds.  The small bouquet above depicts a sampling of what is currently in flower.  It includes iris reticulata, blue muscari (grape hyacinth) miniature daffodil, crocus and I put in a few sprigs of heather and forsythia.   Things are coming along well in the greenhouse too as new leaves have developed on all the geraniums and many seeds are germinating on the heated bed.  I did however lose a few seed trays as I potted up some of the seedlings too soon.  A lesson learnt to not divide seedlings until they have a few sets of leaves on them and are more established with a good root system.  I always love walking into my greenhouse at this time of the year particularly if it is dreary outside;  it is a glance of what is to come.  The potted bulbs are coming on well and I am hoping to have them in bloom by Easter or at least have some of the bulbs in bloom to cheer up the porch.  As well as the traditional tulips and daffodils I planted a few anemones and snow drops last fall for a little variation.   The leaves of the anemone have beautiful mauve tones when you look underneath.  

I noticed too that a new hellebore (helleborus x ballardiae) nicknamed “Pink Frost” is also coming into bud.  I have a special attachment to this flower as I planted it in memory of my sister-in-law as this was one of her favourite perennials.