Monday, April 15, 2013

April Bloom Day



Life's been more than a little hectic in recent months, and I've been taking a break from blogging.  All's well here though.  Life has been going on as usual, and spring is upon us once again in the Chicago area.  Snowdrops are fading,


Hellebores are blooming,


scillas too.

 

This hellebore may be reverting to single blooms.  There are more singles than doubles. These blooms are on the same plant as the doubles up above.  Last year this plant didn't bloom at all.  Maybe it didn't like the early-spring heat.


This hellebore is still doing what it's always done.


Warmer weekend weather coaxed a few daffodil buds open.


I love these split-cup daffodils. 

We're way behind in blooms compared to last year when March brought temperatures in the 70's and even 80's.  This has been a more normal spring, actually a bit cooler than usual, and a lot rainier than last year.  I'm grateful.  Last spring's hot, dry weather continued through summer.  A cooler, rainier summer would be nice this year.  Can we order that?  Trees and shrubs, everything flora and fauna could use a break. 

Hope you all here in the northern hemisphere are enjoying normal spring weather, and enough rain. To see more April blooms, please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:27 AM

    Lovely spring blooms, here we suddenly feel like we're rushing into summer. Christina

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    1. Thank you Christina. Last year it felt like summer started in March. This year spring is taking its sweet time!

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  2. Your garden is looking lovely! Those red hellebores are fantastic. That must be a mature plant there. Can't wait for my Wisconson garden to catch up with yours - what a cold spring!

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    1. Thank you spurge! That was my first hellebore. I think it's been here five years.

      So right it's been so chilly this spring. I'm ok with it though, especially the rain.

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  3. Good to hear from you again, Linda, and to see that spring is finally arriving in your garden. My husband has been watching the Cubs games on TV, and I've noticed all the winter jackets and hats in the stands--we must be 10-20 degrees warmer down here. I'm getting a little impatient with the rain, because I still have so much garden clean-up to do, but I agree we should be so thankful to be getting it after last year's drought. Love those blue scillas--my first ever planting is just starting to bloom, too.

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    1. Thank you Rose! We've had a mild day here and there, but overall it's been much chillier than usual. Yesterday and today were wonderful, and we even got more rain today. I'm thrilled I had a day off today - had a lot of catching up to do!

      Enjoy those scillas. For teeny tiny things that blue sure packs a pretty punch.

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  4. Anonymous9:35 PM

    Your daffodils are lovely. I have Scilla blooming as well, it is so great when it spreads into a big blue mass.

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    1. Looking forward to them spreading more! For such tiny things, they sure pack a punch of brilliance!

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  5. I love your photos! Spring was also late here. I hope it doesn't get too hot too fast.

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    1. Thank you Mara!

      I'm hoping the same thing! We can use a break, especially after the last two summers.

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  6. Wonderful photos! No narcissus or daffodils here yet. Soon I hope!

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    1. Thank you Gardenbug.

      Hope you're enjoying some soon.

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  7. We're behind in Toronto, too -- much further behind than you. Admiring your daffs from afar.

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    1. Seems to be the case both north and south of us Helen. - this year spring is taking its sweet time. It's quite different from last year - cooler and MUCH rainier.

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  8. You have gorgeous signs of Spring everywhere. I just love those Scillas!

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  9. Your spring blooms are certainly ahead of mine here in Nova Scotia. I so enjoyed your photos, the Hellebore most especially. How dense with bloom it is!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them Bren. Yep - that hellebore is a crazy bloomer. It still has buds that haven't even opened yet.

      It seems like it's been a late spring in a lot of places. We did have a glorious May 1st today - very warm and sunny. It's amazing how quickly the garden gets going once the temperatures warm up!

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