Winter Web and Signs of Spring
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 7:15PM When I look outside, I see an untidy, winter web of branches. It can be striking when afternoon sunlight glows amidst the tangled limbs, but mostly it is a reminder that Alabama is derived from an old Choctaw Indian word meaning, "I clear the thicket."
All these bare stems have me longing for spring, and it won't be long! This weekend, between rain showers, I went sloshing through the garden in search of signs of spring, and I was not disappointed. Here's an assortment of images that lifted my spirits:
The flowering quince shrubs are finally budding out! Chaenomeles usually begin flowering as early as January, so they are late this year, making me even happier to see the bright red-orange buds.
Camellia japonica is also starting to flower. The larger photo below is 'Red Candles', a very reliable bloomer here, no matter how cold the weather, and the paler pink one is called 'Something Beautiful.'
Hellebores have begun to flower in earnest:
Daphne odora 'Variegata' is almost ready to open its fragrant buds:
Daffodils are also later coming up this year, but it won't be long before their cheerful faces are brightening the garden:
Velvety Edgeworthia buds will soon open:
Here is an assortment of more buds and emerging foliage:
Clockwise from top left: Native azalea; Variegated hydrangea; Forsythia; Rosa rugosa 'Alba'.
I am excited to see all these opening buds; they promise that soon there will be a springtime riot of color in my garden.
Reader Comments (19)
These are lovely signs that you're on the precipice of spring. I'm not sure I can tell the difference between seasons here anymore. Summer bulldozed its way into winter this year and rain, our winter marker, has hardly even made an appearance. There's a chance of light rain tomorrow through Wednesday but it's hard to invest in it as most of these forecasts have fizzled. Still, my fingers are crossed...
So many colours and such an array of promises of spring already! Beautiful images as always.
Things are moving slower than normal here, too, but I do have daffodils just about to bloom and the birds, including robins, are singing away.
Your area is way ahead of my area. It is so exciting to see the lovely greens and pinks of spring. I do have a few greens peeking out of the mushy browns and greys. And some promises of whites and pinks in the offing. The pussy willow is getting furry. The excitement builds.
It is so exciting to see the first signs that winter is coming to an end. Winter seems to have been extra cold almost everywhere this year. I don't remember when we've had a winter than has lasted so long. It began getting cold here in late October so I am extra ready for spring this year. How interesting to know what Alabama means!
So many lovely promises of spring, flowers at this time of year are so precious, every one is a delight!
I always enjoy your posts and reading your blog pages. You are a very talented lady :-)
Happy gardening!
I find the late afternoon sun lighting up the winter garden to be very beautiful but when I try to photograph this it usually looks like a mess. lol 'Something Beautiful' is well named, what a beautiful camellia! The hellebores really lovely too.
We are going into Kris P's second spring, as autumn bulbs come thru. Despite our drought
How delightful to see those first buds and flowers!
Thank goodness for winter blooms and their promise of the spring to come. Beautiful!
Oh, your flowering quince, Hellebores and Daphne are such a wonderful sight with hopes of spring on the way. Thank you for the wonderful tour!
We had a very harsh winter in Florida in comparison to previous years. Lots of sustained cold. I'm sure I lost a lot of plants. Spring is pretty much here, though. Today, I noticed a tree that had completely leafed out in beautiful spring green, redbuds are blooming and a smattering of azaleas.
Yeah! Almost spring! I went outside just now to check my Chaenomeles ... not a bud or flower in sight. Your spring garden is way ahead of mine. Happy gardening!
What beautiful blooms in February! I do miss seeing camellias and edgeworthia! I keep looking at my flowering quince hoping that it will go into bloom soon, but it might still be a bit :)
your garden is definitely showing signs of spring promise, lots of it pretty in pink. I love the first photo, it's like an abstract painting.
Spring is such an exciting time of year for us winter weary gardeners!
Oh what a wonderful sight to see spring already there.....it gives me happiness to see some blooms now as many of mine are months away. Bulbs are just beginning to push up slowly.
I love seeing pictures of your spring flowers. I have Camellias, but none of the others. Do you make quince jelly later in the year?