If New Mexico is the “Land of Enchantment,” then, today, my garden became the “Land of Surprises.”
This is what greeted me this afternoon after a long morning’s work clearing out the winter weeds in the vegetable garden. It was so cheerful, so bright that I nearly plunked myself down in the grass to observe it all day.
Purple so dark that this sweet, little crocus was named ‘Negro Boy’ a very long time ago (1910). Despite the rather demeaning name, this beauty is still worthy of planting. I got my bulbs at Old House Gardens. They were pricey, but now that they’ve bloomed, they are priceless, and I have many more waiting in the wings.
With two 80F plus degree days, everything around the garden began to open. The weather was glorious. Sunny. Little wind. It was a perfect day to garden. I worked so hard that I was nearly exhausted by noon.
So, I came inside, drank a large glass of Yorkshire Gold iced tea (in my opinion, the best tea on the planet), had lunch, and wrote a post for Examiner about Louise Riotte’s fine books on companion planting. This evening, when the light was better, I went outdoors. A gentle breeze fluttered around me, and the temperatures felt cooler. While HH sat on the retaining wall and told me about his day, I tip-toed through the tulips (in order not to step on them). Then, propped up on my elbow, I lay on my side in the mulch to capture the blooms.
How could anyone be happier? To get to see these first flowers so closely is a minor miracle.
There was a time when I didn’t stop to look. What if I were now unable to see?
During the front garden renovation, so much was moved that I’m not sure which Narcissus the ones above are. However, more like them are popping up all over the front gardens. They seem a little weak from their move. They hang their heavy heads like tired, little children too late to bed.
I’m also unsure about this pink flower below, and I’d be grateful to anyone who knows its name. After looking at the blog Outside Clyde, I found that this is Chionodoxa. Thanks Christopher C. It is nearly open and when it blooms, it looks like a pink Scilla. I’ve had them for years.
These little Narcissus grow in the garden which faces the street. They are usually the first ones up, but this year, they were beat by the Narcissus above. I think it’s because the heavy mulch made all the bulbs in the front garden toasty warm. The ones out by the street must fend for themselves because this is the last bed I get to every year.
This is just a small sampling of the what is springing up around Rosehaven. What’s happening in your neck of the woods?
Thanks for the tip!!! It had my name all over it!!! I’m off to Lowe’s in the morning.
Now I’m wishing I’d planted crocus…
Brenda
Brenda Kula´s last blog post..Vintage Porch For Spring
Brenda, there’s always this fall. Be sure to include ‘Negro Boy’ in your purchases. It is a fine specimen.~~Dee
So pretty. We seem to have just the same daffodils all over the yard.
Hi Paula, I think they are a variety I planted long ago. With the garden remodel, everything is topsy turvy.~~Dee
Your bulbs are doing so well; I think the wind and unseasonably warm weather here made short work of ours.
I’m a self professed tea addict, hot or cold, it doesn’t matter, so what is the Yorkshire Gold iced tea you spoke of? I’ve not seen it in the stores. Do you buy it in bags, or is it already brewed? Tell me more!!!
Hi Nola, Yorkshire Gold blend is an English tea. I buy it from a British imports shop in Oklahoma City. They have all of the famous English teas like P.G. Tips, Tayloors of Harrogate, etc., but my favorite is Yorkshire Gold. You can get it in tea bags or loose leaf. Loose is best, but the tea bags are fine too. Tea Dog has all of the famous brands. Barry’s Tea is also nice. I buy a lot in bulk and it take months to use it.~~Dee
Those little narcissus are calling my name! Next year, I will definitely plant more bulbs.
Cindy, MCOK´s last blog post..The Tulips Are Blooming
Lovely bulbs – sorry I cant help you with the unknown flower – is it some form of Hyacinth
That’s it. I’m moving to Oklahoma. Somehow, Montana just doesn’t seem worth it when everyone else’s bulbs are blooming and it’s 10 degrees outside here. I’m drooling over those lovely little flowers.
–Kate
themanicgardener´s last blog post..Spring? You’ve got to be kidding!
I’ll be interested to see if your little bulbs look like my unknown one.
Beautiful shots, definitely worth getting a little mulch on the clothes for.
I seem to be behind the other Indiana gardeners, no crocus blooms, or any blooms yet for me.
Dee, Your crocus is beautiful…the little bulbs have so much charm….there are several yards in the next neighborhood whose entire front yards are covered in purple crocus…unbelievable when you see them! We are also having fantastically warm weather and finally today…blue skies. I am knee deep in garden landscape renovations…It is quite astonishing to see the changes take place…You know what I mean! Have a good weekend, it’s supposed to be lovely. gail
Gail´s last blog post..Waiting For The Go*
Sounds like a day made in heaven, Dee!
Sounds like a perfect spring day Dee! It’s amazing what we’ll do to capture a nice photo! These shots are beautiful.
I was out poking around in the mulch today and cutting back dead perennial stalks. I was amazed how much is coming up already. All it takes is a warm day or two and things start springing to life.
linda´s last blog post..A Knock at the Door
I don’t have daffodils, but my crocuses are starting to open up and the little dwarf irises are blooming about two weeks ahead of schedule. I think I have some little bulbs like yours, but I’m not sure what they are. I’ll have to look through my garden journal…
Carol, May Dreams Gardens´s last blog post..Busy With Laziness No More
Your comments about the Crocus bulbs almost sounded like a MasterCard commercial. Don’t you just wish you could bottle days like today. I went to visit my Snowdrops this afternoon and found them buzzing with honeybees. Ah…
Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog post..It Really is Spring
Those sure are some sweet surprises.
Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening´s last blog post..Garden Bloggers Bloom Day January 2009
I was outside all afternoon Dee. I know just how you felt finding that beautiful purple crocus blooming its head off.
In my garden I was thrilled to find some yellow crocus with its little cups open to the sunshine today. My garden isn’t near as far along as yours but there are lots of green things popping up everywhere.
Nothing like this, that’s for sure! Are these tazetta narcissus?
Honey-bunny, your photos, your words, and that pingy-thing put me almost to tears. I am falling in love with all of it. I wish so much to have planted bulbs. When I was at ‘the house’ paper-whites were coming up.
And we’ve had wind all day.
xxxooo
CurtissAnn´s last blog post..Friday Update on This Writer’s Life