Sprummer

It's like time-lapse photography, the way all the spring bloom is compressed into the last 10 days.  Here are some emerging Peony sprouts that soon will become gorgeous red Paeonia lactiflora 'Scarlet O'Hara.'  Which I got on clearance at Home Depot in 2006. 

It's a knockout!!  It will look like this in .. well, who knows?  Usually it's May.

And, not to be outdone, the Redbud is going for broke.

Now.. I hope all these plants finish their bloom before the inevitable terrible storm, which we usually get on Memorial Day, or thereabouts, but this year Claytonia says should happen about April 15th, judging by our weird season.

So - enjoy!  These plants remind us to carpe diem, or at least carpe camera and preserve the loveliness.

Harbinger of spring

Well, no kidding.  I'm not sure we even are having winter this year.  The witch hazel knows something, however, unfurling her flowers on days that the winter landscape considers "warm."  They curl up otherwise.  This is Hamamelis 'Jelena' and it's not fragrant like the species.  The payoff is the larger, more colorful flowers.  It's planted under Austrian Pines, gets part sun only, and is doing just fine with minimal water.  This is a great shrub/small tree for our mid-western landscapes, requiring almost no care, although she does appreciate a late - winter visit so her flowers can be admired.  Oh, and the rest of the year she's  a beauty too - interesting leaves and excellent fall color, similar to the flowers you see here.