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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - February 2011

"We can have flowers every month of the year." - Elizabeth Lawrence


That quote from southern gardener and garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence inspired Carol of May Dreams Gardens to inaugurate what has become the garden bloggers' monthly rite of Bloom Day four years ago this month. Yes, Bloom Day started in deepest, darkest winter, the gardener's cry of defiance against the gloom of those days: "Yes, we CAN have flowers every month of the year!"

Of course, that's not to say that flowers aren't a bit sparse on the ground in some months. February being one of them. I must admit that I scratched my head in puzzlement as I looked around my yard today, wondering what I could possibly show you this month.


Most of my garden looks like this just now. Fried.


Or this. Hamelia patens asleep in the forground while Anisacanthus wrightii dozes in back.

But there are signs of waking.


The old apple tree is stretching and opening its eyes.


The fig trees are putting out some tentative buds.


And the blueberry buds are swelling larger daily.


The goldfinches are beginning to put on their summer dress.


And the titmice are beginning to look around for a place to raise their young.

It's not as if there is no color but brown in the garden.


"Joseph's Coat" lives up to its name.


The succulents provide some rosy color, too, and if you squint and hold your head at just the right angle, it might almost look like a flower.

Meanwhile, there is one true blossom that has bloomed faithfully all winter.


The leatherleaf mahonia has been in bloom since December.


Its pretty bell-shaped blossoms open sequentially along the stems over a period of several weeks.


The bees are very grateful. There were several of them sipping from the mahonia blooms today. (Well, it's not like there is a lot to choose from in my garden right now.)

And so, I thought, that's it. That's all my "blooms" for this Bloom Day, and I turned to go inside and upload my pictures.

But as I turned, a tiny flash of blue caught my eye. I looked more closely and sure enough, there it was - a bloom!


The little trailing veronica, 'Georgia Blue Speedwell,' had opened one tiny, fragile blossom. As I looked at it, it seemed to reproach me. "Oh, ye of little faith, of course, you can have flowers every month of the year! You just have to open your eyes - and your heart - to see them."

Happy Bloom Day to all. Thank you for visiting.

16 comments:

  1. it's true that sometimes you just have to look, really really closely!! fun seeing the birds!

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  2. Yes, I had to look really, really hard this month. Thanks for stopping by, LG.

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  3. Love the photos. Almost enjoy them as much as actual blooms. It is the promise of spring that makes them so super exciting. Glad I found your blog!

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  4. I'm glad you found me, too, ONG. Thanks for visiting.

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  5. You are so right, we only need to open our eyes and enjoy what is flowering; as long as snow is not covering everything I think we all have something beautiful to fill our hearts with joy in our gardens. thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Christina

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  6. How nice to find that little blue veronica bloom! Sometimes we just have to look a little closer to find the beauty right under our very noses. Thanks for visiting me--I'm hoping that I will have some real blooms to share in March, too.

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  7. There is always something beautiful in the garden, MHG. Even when flowers are scarce and the bones of the garden are showing, there are the birds to remind us that spring is coming.

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  8. The veronica can be easily overlooked among the bigger plants, Rose, but it is a sweet little thing and it certainly brightened my day!

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  9. Yes, indeed, Darla. The seasons are changing right before our eyes.

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  10. That mahonia looks like a tough and gratifying plant--flowers since December? Sold!

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  11. It has certainly sold me, James. It has been a winner.

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  12. Thanks for stopping by, Mac. I hope Australia is drying out by now.

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  13. The buds make me anxious for spring. The birds are lovely.

    Cher
    Goldenray Yorkies

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  14. The buds have that effect on me, too, Sunray. I'm champing at the bit for spring to arrive.

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