Spring Teasing

It is so exciting to see the green tops of the spring bulbs protruding from the earth. A sure sign of spring coming.

Surprisingly, other spring signs include flowers blooming NOW! Some of the previously planted primroses have been developing leaves, buds, and flowers from rather dead looking plants. A subject of last week's Sunday Sketch.

The unusual looking Hellebore are blooming. I sketched and painted one of these flowers today which I will post for tomorrow's Sunday Sketches.



Did you know that there is a outdoor hearty version of the favorite indoor cyclamen? I planted these last year and they made it through the winter. They are a delightful addition to the early spring flowers which are such a joy after the doldrums of winter.

Check out these tiny gems:

Resiliency

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have experienced just about every kind of weather; snow, freezing temperatures, unusually warm temperatures, buckets of rain, wind, you name it.

Today as I survey my yard during a rather balmy break from the rain, I notice little shoots of daffodils poking their heads out from the ground. To my amazement, I found primrose in bloom and buds forming.

Talk about resiliency!



What a refreshing break from the drabness of winter.

Hope the slugs are hibernating :)

Primroses

I have a bad case of spring fever and it is only February!

Yesterday I saw some rhododendrons blooming and color in branches (photos in yesterday's blog).

Today, I could not resist the primroses with early spring blooms in almost every color of the rainbow. I love their sweet fragrance. I bought a flat and planted them in my front yard where I can see all the time.

Oops! I just learned that they appreciate full sun in the spring, but must have semi shade as the temperatures warm. Good thing they are quite tolerant of being transplanted, even when they are in bloom, because I will have to move them as they are in a very sunny spot in my yard.

Until then, I will enjoy them as they are.....

Primrose, a Metaphor of Life

In my readings I have come across several people who have tapped into their inherit strength in order to overcome huge obstacles in their lives. From people such as Helen Keller to single parents raising children, the list is enormous and inspiring.

Today I noticed one of my primroses from last year deciding to bloom out of the muck of brown leaves. It reminded me of the struggles of life which we fall prey to and how from the muck we manage to shine so brilliantly as we reach our highest potential.

This tiny primrose serves as a metaphor of life.

Signs of Spring?

About this time of year the stores tease us with colorful flowers to lift our spirits. I am definitely a "sucker" to buy. I could not pass by the primroses without loading a couple in my basket. Eagerly, I planted them in pots and set the primroses on the deck railing so that I could enjoy the vision of spring from every vantage point.

It looks like the ground hog was right! To my surprise this morning my beautiful primroses were wearing snowflakes. And the daffodils look rather charming with dapples of snow.

Still a lovely picture of spring, wouldn't you agree?