Hellebores On Parade

Today dawned sunny, cold and dry. By early morning it was warming up and we were off to a garden tour and open house! Northwest Garden Nursery is owned and operated by Ernie & Marietta O'Byrne. They sell unique perennials and always have the "latest and greatest" for sale in the plant world. In recent years they have focused on the raising and hybridizing of Hellebores. They hand pollinate and choose for unique forms and colors. They have a magnificent 1.5 acre display garden which wraps around their farmhouse. It was so nice today, to be outside and enjoy the incredible display of color.

A wall of Bamboo

Peonies bursting out of the ground

A beautiful stone mosaic on a garden pathway.

Moving Along

Since the temperature continues to hit a high between 55 and 60 degrees everyday, the plants have decided that even though the calender says February, they are going to get growing and do their thing! Pictured above, a beautiful clump of "Tete-a-tete" daffodils in the mudroom bed.

The crab apple, that just two weeks ago, had brown, dormant buds, has literally sprung to life this week. It is now covered in blood red shoots.

Another pretty clump of miniature daffodils,  "Segovia" up on the bank. It has reliably returned year after year.

Also abiding the early wake-up call, the wild iris. While still months away from blooming, their green , blade shaped leaves are growing like crazy. The open meadows are covered with their lush clumps.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

The Pussy Willow

One the whole of our property, we can only find one pussy willow. Not surprisingly, it is located down near the main creek. While it is a good 25 feet from the bank of the creek, it is still located in a boggy section of earth, where its feet stay damp even in the height of Summer. Most of the year you never notice the tree. It quietly blends in with its neighboring Douglas Fir and brush. But in late winter, for a week or two, it steps out to center stage. Just this week I noticed that its catkins had opened and it was covered in its signature fuzzy grey.

Mild Weather Marches On

Our mild weather continues. Friday we saw a record temperature as the afternoon high reached 62 degrees. Then the wet weather returned, but the temperature has stayed mild, as it was for all of January. Dorothy's Creek is running nicely right now, as is the main creek.

The "Early Sensation" daffodils that were close to opening up last week have opened the last few days. A blast of golden yellow against all the browns of the February landscape.