Muscari

Our various Muscari planted throughout the flowerbeds are at peak bloom right now. Unfortunately, we have lost the names of most of them but it certainly doesn't stop us from enjoying their beauty.

This one might just be my favorite. It begins as a deep blue at the base of the bloom. The middle section is a pretty medium blue and it is topped by a white crown.

Perfection in such a small little package.

This clump is more of the traditional Grape Hyacinth.

It reliably produces loads of blooms each year.

Here's another favorite of mine. Deep purple on the bottom topped off with lavender at the top. The plant doesn't make a lot of blooms, but even with just four or five blooms a year, it is worth having in your garden.

Now this group certainly doesn't look like the traditional grape hyacinth. Each tube on these big, fat periwinkle blooms are shredded or torn. 

Each bloom looks a little bit like a fireworks explosion.

Here is another "non-Traditional" Muscari. We actually have the tag still next to this clump. It is "Muscari Plumosum".

Another Muscari with a case of bed-head but in a rich plum color. We also have a few other varieties of Muscari planted thought the various flowerbeds. They are early blooming types and have mostly finished up for the season. One of my favorites is pictured below. A simple, pure white Muscari that I purchased a few years ago.

Lilacs

Across from the Big Garden, our neighbor's Lilacs are blooming. They have three old bushes that were planted long ago by the former owners of the home and property. While the variety names have been lost over the years, their beauty each Spring carries on.

I am guessing that two of plants are the same variety since the blooms are the same, soft lavender/pink color. 

Since the day was sunny and warm, the air was filled with the unmistakable lilac fragrance.

These lilacs, like so many other plants this Spring, are ahead of schedule. Typically, they would be in full bloom closed to the May 1st. But this year we get to enjoy them a few weeks early.

Jamestown Daffodil

My clump of "Jamestown" daffodils in the front flowerbed are just finishing up their yearly display. It is one of the very last varieties to bloom each year, so I think it makes me appreciate it that much more. I purchased this Irish introduction in Maine during a trip in the Fall of 2012. The bulbs have settled in nicely and I had 30 blooms this year.

Apple Blossoms

Our wild apple tree, growing through the fir trees at the bend in our driveway, is just coming into bloom.

Most of the year you don't notice the poor bent apple, as it is so twisted and hidden among the competing fir trees. But then each Spring, for a week or two, it demands attention as it bursts into bloom.

The apple buds are a deep pink and open to a soft shell pink.

As the days go by, and they are exposed to the sun, the petals turn white.

The color change makes for such a pretty, feminine display.

The Garlic in Late January

I got off of work a few minutes early today. Combined with the sunny day that we had and the ever so slightly lengthening of each day, I was able to get outside and work after I made it home. It was so nice to be home before dusk settled in! I had been trying all week to get home in time to water my garlic. That sounds like such a funny thing to say in January, but with all of this dry, sunny weather that we have been experiencing, I was growing concerned that the raised garlic bed might be drying out.

So off came the remay cover and voila - Garlic plants! They have grown so much since I last looked at them on New Years Day. As has been the pattern the last two years, the "Russian Red" garlic plants are the tallest. They are getting close to 6" tall now.

All of the "Chesnook Red" garlic plants are also doing really well. They have all come up and are close to 4" tall. I gave all of the plants a good, slow soaking and then covered up the row once again. Since they are calling for rain only on Sunday night, and the high temperatures are forecast to be in the high 50's all next week, I need to be vigilant about keeping the garlic row well watered during this strange Winter.

Another Sunny January Workday

Finally, a sunny day off with nothing planned. So it was time to get back to the mowing project that hadn't been touched since just after Christmas. We attacked the bank and "meadow" in front of the house. It was actually so warm, I had to keep stopping for water breaks and wore a baseball cap to keep the sun out of my eyes.

Near the end of the first tank of gas, I took a break up by the flagpole. Tom-cat and Solomon joined me and were soon snooping about a stump behind me. After some serious sniffing about, Solomon suddenly looked startled and quickly trotted back to the safety of the front porch. I couldn't imagine what upset him but later, when I was mowing near that stump, a HUGE drift of skunk odor rose from the cut grass. Phew, it was strong. I ended up mowing for 2 1/2 hours total today, until I was too hot and tired to do any more. Such a funny thing to say in January.

I was really pleased with all that we accomplished today and it was just in time. After I mowed behind the Sweet Gums, I found this clump of daffodils pushing upward. The blade had just missed them. Later, when I took a walk down to the big garden, I pulled back some leaf litter and found the "Passionale " daffodils are just starting to come up as well. 

First 60 degree Day of the Year - and a Record

I caught on film the tail-end of an amazing, if slightly worrisome day. Today, while the East Coast turned white under a winter storm watch, we enjoyed sunny blue skies and a high of 68 degrees! Yes 68 degrees. That broke an 80 year old record. It certainly wasn't a day to be inside and everyone was enjoying the balmy weather. And for the third night in a row, we were treated to a lovely sunset.

Ordering Dahlia Tubers

Well, today I broke my rule and I ordered new dahlia tubers before I completely finished dividing and storing last years! But I am so close to being done and it's now January. If I don't place my orders soon, tubers will start to sell out. So, I spent a pleasant hour or two on-line, looking over the latest releases and reviewing what tubers I need replace. Before I started I set a budget and then proceeded to pass it by $100! Oops. But I can now look forward to 4 boxes arriving near the end of April. I have ordered 17 new varieties and replaced stock on 3 more. For anyone looking to order some dahlia tubers, I recommend visiting the Colorado Dahlia Societies Big List. This is a wonderful resource that lists all of the commercial dahlia operations and then lists every dahlia variety those businesses sell by alphabetical order. If you have never ordered tubers on-line before I always recommend buying from a business in the same general geographical area as your garden. I think the dahlias are acclimatize to your region and grow better the first year. There's no science to back that up, it's just my opinion. Some of my favorite commercial growers are River's Dahlias, Clack's Dahlias, Park's Dahlias, Dahlia's By Les & Viv, Blossom Gulch Dahlias and Birch Bay Dahlias. But there are many, many more reputable growers out there too. Another option is to wait until the Spring. Then you can visit the Colorado Dahlia Society web-site and they will list all of the tubers sales that the local dahlia societies are holding all over the US.  Whatever method you choose, happy ordering!

Early Sensation Daffodils

I shouldn't be surprised now, but it always catches me a little off guard to discover that the "Early Sensation" daffodils are once again 2-4" tall right at the New Year. As its name implies, this is a super early variety that is normally in full bloom for us near the end of February. My brain isn't quite ready to think about Spring bulbs right now, but I know by the end of February that their burst of yellow color will be most welcome.