I stopped by the municipal gardens at the entrance to the city this week to look for my first spring flower. I have never seen a snowdrop and hoped to find one poking through some lingering spring snow. (Note to self:- plant snowdrop bulbs this fall)
We have had several very warm March days, but snow is still present in sheltered areas which do not receive as much direct sunlight. The gardens are mainly on the shady side of the road and were quite hard and frozen in spite of the above zero temperatures.
I looked closely and saw many green shoots starting to grow through the ground as they reached for the sunlight. Crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and peonies were among the first plants to welcome the spring season even though they will not be blooming for a little while.
I went looking for a flower and found several birds instead feeding on last season's berries and seeds. These Cedar Waxwings were busy eating winter frozen crabapples from a tree. Robins and Mourning Doves gleaned the same fruit from the ground below.My garden has nothing showing except for the first red knobs of rhubarb. As soon as the ground is tillable, I will plant some greens like arugula and chard. They grow well in cooler spring and fall temperatures and are not as inclined to go to seed as they do in summer weather.
What a busy, growing time of year!
Let's celebrate Spring!!! I love to see those first little sprouts pushing their way up through the ground. I remember planting rhubarb years ago (in another house) on a southern facing wall. It always came up in March. Yummm.
ReplyDeleteYou got quite a good shot of those cedar waxwings! Didn't think there was any more frozen fruit about for them.
I feel the same about snowdrops. I've never planted any and next year I plan to.
I noticed my rhubarb is just poking through this week, as are my tulips.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the waxwings. They're one of my favorite birds.
Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI really need to get out in my garden and see if my snowdrops are sprouting. I have been so busy with the boys this week that I haven't had a chance to look.
Glad you were able to find these beautiful green sprouts. Harbingers of spring.
The boys begged me to take them back to Lasalle Park today. It was cold--the Bay was rough. The volunteer told us that about 60 swans left yesterday for the North.
Take care. It looks like some nice weather over the weekend.
Blessings,
Mary
I've been meaning to plant some bulbs for several years now, but I keep forgetting. I am going to put it on my Google calendar right now.
ReplyDeleteThose hardy bulb sprouts are surely a sign of spring.
ReplyDeleteI do see the lovely signs in your pictures! Pretty soon they will be blooming and lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove the waxwing photos!
Exciting all those sprouts coming up! And the pic of the birds is very artistic looking! Happy Spring to you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found some "green shoots" coming up! Love seeing the cedar waxwings too. Have a wonderful weekend Ruth. :c)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, uplifting and makes me look forward to the spring flowers. My personal favorites are the dogwood trees, though I love all flowering trees.
ReplyDeleteThose little shoots look so brave and sweet! No sign of any around here, but I did see my first boat out on the lake this morning! There's no sun and it's only a few degrees above freezing - must have been bloody awful cold sitting there all exposed!
ReplyDeleteYipee ..spring has sprung!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I haven't been in the back yard since fall. Time for a visit.
ReplyDeleteI looked for rhubarb at my neighbor's when I walked Sophie the other day, but nothing there yet. I can't wait to bake my first pan of rhubarb crunch every spring!
ReplyDeleteMy snowdrops are still under a foot of snow! They should be blooming here around mid April.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who commented. Hope your spring is full of beautiful flowers very soon!
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