What's Blooming Now

It's March 8th and I've decided to show 'what's blooming right now' in my garden. The last time I blogged was in January and I had 'vowed' to blog at least twice a month. Somehow, February completely slipped away without a single post. Did anyone notice?! Probably not!

Crocus 'Romance' (Just planted bulbs in January!)

Hyacinth

I took photos daily, or at least several times a week, throughout the month of February, so it's all 'on record' if I want to share anything. I'm not sure what the reason for lack of blogging was, but it could have been the fact that most of my blooming plants were being completely destroyed by squirrels. It was kind of depressing, to say the least!

Anyway, I just noticed today that the Candytuft is blooming...it seems early to me:

Iberis sempervirins (Candytuft)

The Pulmonaria started blooming in late February...I could hardly believe it. Much earlier than last year!:

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' (Lungwort)

 Here are some of the Hellebore's that are and have been blooming. Some since January, most of the others were blooming the whole month of February. I couldn't show them in February, however, because they were gnawed and eaten, with blooms cut off and looking scraggly! I finally got some good 'critter spray' (Bobbex) and have had good luck with it so these photos show 'intact' plants. (Wait until my next post when I show all the ugliness that the squirrels created here...!):

Helleborus hybridus

Helleborus hybridus (Pine Knot Strain)

A couple of different Hellebores...both 'hybrids'.
(The one below had part of the flower eaten by
squirrels but you can still see the pretty interior as
it opened up).

Helleborus hybridus 'Phoenix'

H. 'Phoenix' (above) was totally chewed off so I had to wait for a new flower to form...

Corsican Hellebore was the only plant that wasn't touched by the squirrels:

Helleborus x nigercors 'Green Corsican'

I have a lot more Hellobores but couldn't show any blooms because either they bloomed and were destroyed, or they haven't bloomed yet. As I said earlier, I have another post 'brewing' about that issue.

I think it's early for Hepatica, compared to last year:
H. nobilis:

Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort)

H. acutiloba:

Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp-lobed Hepatica) - pink

Same with Jacob's Ladder...it is much earlier than last year!:

Polymonium reptans 'Jacob's Ladder'

I just planted these Iris reticulata bulbs in January...so not sure if they are 'early' or not. They began blooming over a week ago:

Iris reticulata (Just planted bulbs in January!)

Daffodils have been blooming for a few weeks, on and off...but I still have several varieties that haven't even broken ground yet. Here are some I've had for years...nothing 'special', really. I planted a bunch of new ones in January and will photograph them when they bloom...

I had to show this guy...usually I'd pull him out but in February, he was welcome!

Dandelion (so-called 'weed' but adds color!)

Veronica repens (ground creeper)

Pieris japonica (Andromeda) 'Valley Valentine'

Vinca Minor (*An 'invasive' vine but I keep it contained, although I wouldn't mind getting rid of
it entirely! I do admire the blue flowers, though)

Ilex Berries (Holly Tree) -- just because it's pretty against the blue sky

If you noticed a white 'film' on any of the plants, it is spray to keep away the squirrels and deer. You might wonder why it would be on things like daffodils, hellebore and pieris. If I didn't know better, I would wonder myself. However, it is necessary, believe me! I have a whole series of photos showing the damage and destruction caused by squirrels alone. I have never had so much hellebore damage. It's a crime, it really is! I'll explain in my next post...

Until then, did you remember to say
Thanks for Today! Unwrap the present; discover the gifts! ?

What gifts did you discover today?

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.