The Queen of Seaford: quince

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Mid-February Garden Blogger Bloom Day 2020

One of the blogging memes that has been going for a long time is the Garden Blogger Bloom Day. I haven't participated in a long time but am jumping back in. Every month, on the 15th, is Garden Blogger Bloom Day, or GBBD. The meme is hosted by Carol Michel at May Dreams Gardens. Be sure to go over to Carol's blog and see what's blooming in other areas.

One of my new pet peeves is blogs not saying up front where they are located. I don't mean your mailing address but what is your zone, what state do you live in? That said- I live in the Upstate of South Carolina, zone 7b- 8a. I am right on the line. Living on the lake helps moderate the temperatures so I am claiming 8a.

On to the blooms.

We have had a very mild winter so far and many plants are saying, "hello". I went outside this morning with new camera in hand to get some shots- after a few photos the battery light was blinking red. Bummer. The cell phone came out. The photos are a mix of both.
Starting with the daffodils- there are so many blooming right now. Some varieties are known, but not all.

Narcissus 'Carlton'

N. 'Barrett Browning'

N. 'Ice Follies'

N. 'Erlicheer'

possibly N. 'Avalanche'

N. 'Barrett Browning' and N. 'Carlton'

One of the nice things about our Garden Blogger Flings is the wonderful sponsors who share tools, products, plants, and seeds with us. The above daffodils were swag from Colorblends a few years ago. They sent you bulbs based on your location. I received 'Gritty Southern Mix' and they have done great!
Another bulb that I kept looking for and didn't see emerging. Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis. All of a sudden, there it was!!

Iris reticulata, a sweet little iris

Let's move along through the garden- so many blooms!!
Another spring favorite are Helleborus. Some named, some pass-along plants- all great!

Helleborus orientalis 'Brandywine Series'

H. orientalis 'Brandywine Series'

View from the deck- Edgeworthia with Helleborus under planted

H. ballardiae x 'COSEH 710' 'Pink Frost'

Next up are the trees and shrubs that are in bloom.

Viburnum tinus 'Spring Bouquet'

Edgeworthia chrysantha

Forsythia x intermedia

Lean in and take in the fragrance! Osmanthus fragrans Tea Olive

Flowering quince Chaenomeles sp.

Magnolia 'Jane'

Loropetalum chinese 'Ever Red'

"Close to the ground" group-

Iberis sempervirens, Candytuft

Violet, Viola walteri 'Silver Gem'

And last but not least- Gaillardia, it is a sporadic bloomer during the late fall through early spring. Once summer comes, it is in bloom full force.

Thanks for stopping by to see my blooms for GBBD. Be sure to stop by Carol's blog to see more gardens.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Great Nights and Lovely Mornings

We have been having some gorgeous sunsets. There are some great angles of the sun as the vernal equinox gets closer, bringing spring.

The phase of the moon gives that Cheshire Cat look in the tree. I am glad we didn't have too much cloud cover, hiding the moon.

Clear nights are leading to foggy mornings. We didn't really have rain, it was just heavy dew. Some mornings we can't see the water. The water droplets hang like little jewels on the spiderwebs.

There is something magical about the foggy mornings. Love how the Edgeworthia's fragrance it still on the breezes. All the buds are open now...

This morning is looked as if the garden fairies had had a party. These little webs were everywhere.

See how they are all over the floor of the woods?

Guess we have a lot of spiders in this part of our woods. It was funny that other spots in the area were less web filled, ours must be a great place to find dinner. Later I went across the street to check the blooms in the drain-field. I noticed some movement as I walked around. Looking down, expecting a little lizard/anole, I was surprised to see this guy..hiding in his den.

We are getting closer and closer to spring. I enjoy finding new blooms open each day.

A new Narcissus in my drain-field, Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or', a Paperwhite. Think next year it will bloom earlier. It is a sweet little bloom. I think I should have planted this one closer to the walkways or street. It is up in the field. Didn't think about the blooms being so tiny.