Now that we’ve moved into the next phase of spring — a stable phase when the threat of a random snowfall is safely behind us and temperatures are more consistently predictable — a new crop of blooms have begun to emerge. I’ve been happily carrying at least one camera around with me, capturing observations I happen upon on my routine errands.
- Hooray for forsythia! My childhood memories of springtime are very connected to puffy bushes of these bright yellow blooms bursting on every front lawn regardless of the neighborhood. Forsythia is one of those plants that the classes seem to agree on — just about anyone can afford a small bush and no one is too good for its bright and cheery flowers.
- Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) This is the violet commonly found filling up lawns.
Elephant Ears (Bergenia cordifolia)
Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa forbesii) This is one of those pretty spring-blooming bulbs that naturalizes well. They are popping up all over the place these days and seem to last longer than some flowering bulbs that come and go with barely a chance to enjoy them.
I thought elephant ears were those big, tropical-looking foliage bulbs. I’ve never heard bergenia called elephant ears before.
How lovely – isn’t forsynthia the most shockingly fabulous in bloom.
I’ve been snapping pix of flowers every chance I get on my walks. Or neighborhood is out of control with floral abundance.
Amy: That’s why common names are such a pain… you’ll always find 5 plants with the same name and everyone calls it something different. Too confusing!
Briana: I can’t keep up. I already have loads of new pictures. I was blown away today by all the greenery… leaves on trees…. when did that happen? You blink for a second and everything changes.
I love the insta-greenery. We got one warm afternoon here a few weeks ago and all the buds popped open at once. I like knowing the subtle, local seasonal signs, but it’s fun to have a big, obvious event now and then. Like, “HEY! SPRING!”