Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, March 25, 2013

Early Spring Blooms in our Yard

NOTE:  Be sure to check out my new Photo Blog on Wednesday.  Click HERE


WELL--We certainly haven't had much Spring this year so far.   We did NOT have a severe winter this year though, and had very little snow.  But it has been a wet, rainy winter.  Because it never did get very cold or stay cold for awhile,  and because of the rains,  the forecasters are warning us that this summer will be one filled with lots of BUGS.    I've got one word to say about that:  YUK.

Because of the mild winter,  we thought that we were going to have an early spring.  However,  March has remained quite cool overall even though we did have a few warmer days.  Because the temperature has fluctuated so much this month,  our spring flowers have struggled.

We do have a few things blooming so far in our yard so I thought I'd show them to you today.  Above is one of our sweet little PANSIES.   As I've mentioned before,  we plant our Pansies in late Fall  to give us a little color through the drab winter.  Since this winter has been mild,  the Pansies have done quite well... Once it gets a little warmer,  they will all perk up and bloom like crazy.  Pansies are such nice little flowers to have in the yard.

Be sure to click on all photos for enlargements.




Our DAFFODILS are just getting started.  We have a variety of different ones which I will continue to show as they bloom.




The PERIWINKLE (our ground cover) is just getting started.   We have it in many places around our yard --and we love the little blue flowers in the Spring.




Our HYACINTHS are blooming ---but this weather (going back and forth from warm to cold) is not good for them.  SO--none of them are are pretty as they should be, but this little guy is trying to show off.



The CROCUS plants  are always one of the first little flowers to bloom in the Spring.  I love these little guys!!!





Here is another HYACINTH blossom.  I like the little individual blooms ---and I also like the two-tone color.




This little CROCUS plant was given to us by George's Daddy when we first moved here.  I love the deep purple color.




Here's one more HYACINTH blossom.  I like this 'hot' pink color also.   We have some purple Hyacinths --but they haven't bloomed much yet.   I hope I can get a picture of them soon.




Finally,  here is a collage of four more of our DAFFODIL varieties... You can notice how different some of them are from others.   I guess, of all of the early spring bloomers,  DAFFODILS are my favorites,  especially since we have so many different varieties.

If you want to see more pictures of the different varieties of Daffodils in our yard from previous years,  click HERE.   They are pictured individually --and their NAMES are included.  Check it out if you have time.  There are two blog posts (one following the other) showing them.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the few EARLY Spring flowers in our yard... I was shocked recently when I looked back at pictures of our yard at this time last year... Holy Cow---everything was green and everything was blooming...  This year,  because of the colder March,  things are very very late... SO----I'm sure I will be posting much more in the upcoming weeks of all of our beauties...  At least,  I HOPE I will.

Hope you have a wonderful day.   NOTE:  I wrote this blog post several days ago.  Since I wrote it,  more winter weather is coming to our area.  We got more snow last night, and more is coming  today and tomorrow, and it is windy and very very COLD.   Can you believe it?  That's why more of our flowers haven't bloomed yet... Someone said that we might just go from winter to summer this year.  I hope not since Spring is one of my favorite seasons.



Added:  10 a.m. today (3/25/13).... See what we have now???? GADS...
 This is that same pretty Daffodil listed above near the top...... Poor thing!!!




The Hyacinths do NOT like this at all... Neither do I.. Where is Spring?




The Daffodils are all PRAYING for Spring!!!! ha
 
Hugs,

71 comments:

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Struggling they may be Betsy but the flowers that are up and robust are so terribly pretty! It's amazing me how your weather over there is all over the place, it's like winter just doesn't want to leave. I sure hope it's not a case of it NOT wanting to arrive here! I'm so looking forward to it. Winter here in the tropics is really just a reprieve from the humid heat!
Take care Betsy and George, I hope you are safe and warm and not snowed in.
x

Ms. A said...

Your yard is looking mighty colorful already. We had been in the 80's, with one day that hit 90. Now we are back to chilly, with the wind blowing like a gale. I'm not looking forward to the scalding heat, but I am ready for a little consistency and not all this back and forth.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, your flowers are lovely. You are in a warmer zone there so I assume everything starts blooming earlier. There are no signs of Spring here. I do see the daffodils popping out of the ground. I love the spring flowers, something to look forward too. Have a happy week and a Happy Easter!

Anonymous said...

Love your pics. We had very strong winds over night. Hope it warms up soon.

Arkansas Patti said...

I know, it has been weird. We just had a 2 inch snow, followed by a day of rain, 2 days of 24 hour cold drizzle and the daytime temps rarely get out of the high 30's. Sure am glad I didn't put in any of my annuals yet. It was 29 this AM.
Your Spring posts remind me each year to plant Periwinkles and I never get around to it. Maybe this year. I love that ground cover.
Hope all your beautiful flowers survive the coming weather.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous blooms!

Eat To Live said...

We just got a load of snow last night, so the daffodils I seen earlier that were trying to bloom are really going to have to wait until it warms up.
Your flowers are beautiful!! It must be warmer where you live than in Pennsylvania.

Miss Debbie said...

Wow! Lots of pretty things blooming in your yard! So far just azaleas, dogwood and pear tree for us. Still waiting on daffodils!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

These flowers are such sweet harbingers of spring. They all look happy.

Hang in there spring will arrive soon.

FlowerLady

Sharon said...

Bill & I were saying on the way home from church yesterday morning that we were afraid we'd jump directly from winter into summer with no spring at all. I can't believe all those flowers have survived in your yard - your weather on the plateau has been even more dramatic than our here in the valley. Our ground in covered with snow this morning. I can only imagine what it's like in the mountains.

Rose said...

Beautiful! I love pansies...one of my favorite flowers.

We now have about 6 inches of show...if you look at my blog and look at the bird feeders...there is double the snow now.

Roger had a dr's appt this morn, and they called and cancelled!

Mr. Bill said...

Beautiful Spring in East Tennessee. Now if it will warm up just a tish.

Hootin Anni said...

The rich, beautiful pink of the hyacinth is gorgeous. Pansies was a favorite flower of my father's...so when I see them I picture him out in his garden every spring, planting all shades of pansies along the borders of his flower gardens/flower beds.

Anonymous said...

I think you have more spring flowers blooming right now than we do here in south Fl.
Thanks for sharing the beauty of your yard Betsy.
Have a lovely day ~:)

Catherine said...

How dare that snow fall on your pretty flowers that are already coming up. Enough is enough right? Sigh...

Well let us hope that April is much kinder to all of us.

Wishing you a most happy week Betsy!

xo Catherine

MadSnapper said...

i have two favorites today, periwinkles and daffodils...

Janice K said...

I have some daffodils in bud, but last night we got a bunch of snow again. I loved seeing the bright colors of your flowers. I am so ready for winter to leave.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I always enjoy seeing your flowers. We got 5 inches of snow yesterday, so I guess it's good ours aren't blooming yet.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

So pretty! Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. I wish there were perennials! I also have lots of daffodils. Love having different varieties so they don't all bloom at the same time. We had blooms by this time last year, but this year -- snow.

Sylvia K said...

Exquisite flowers, beautiful colors and terrific captures as always, Betsy! I love the variety!! Hope you get some warmer weather soon! Have a great week!

Nellie said...

Not any daffodils here yet, for some reason. We have had snow here this morning, though.:-)

Have a good Monday!

xo Nellie

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I don't plant flowers, but my neighbors do; and I haven't seen a peep of color from them yet this year. Everything is covered with a few inches of snow right now. It came in last night. Happy spring, eh? I love that photo of the single crocus blossom. So pretty.

Shug said...

goodness...I know you all are so ready for Spring temps and NO SNOW. I guess the best way to look at it is that your ground is plenty wet. Even though we had rain over the weekend, our ground is still in need of more rainfall...Hope it gets here before Summer...Y'all stay warm and dry!

Carletta said...

Your blooms are way ahead of mine!
My daffodils have little shoots showing but that's it. Our weather is about the same as yours. We had sleet and snow yesterday and it's snowing as I type. We had five straight days of 80 degrees this time last year and now March looks to become our coldest on record.
Hope your lovely hyacinths come through ok. I'll be praying right along with your daffodils. :)

Marcia said...

Betsy - we got that spring snow storm too. It's still snowing out there at 12:15 pm. We have surpassed the predicted amount by several inches. How could they get it so wrong. First snows that didn't come and now snow that wasn't predicted.

Jeevan said...

Pansies are very pretty and we call them monkey flowers as it reminds us face of monkey :) The single Daffodil on second pic represents a postcard. Sorry to see those unbearable to snow fall.

We don’t have spring here, after winter we enter summer directly.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, So sorry for your bulbs and other flowers that got snowed-upon. Sunny, breezy and a bit cooler here in the 60's today. I don't regret our move to FL. Hoping you have a fine day today!

Terry and Linda said...

At least you have blooms, these spring flowers never seem to mind if we get snow or freezing rain. April isn't far now.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com


Anonymous said...

Oh wow - you have flowers! Hurray. So very very lovely. As you know, we only have snow!

Big Dude said...

pretty shots Betsy - the poor plants are having a tough time figuring out what season it is.

Linda P said...

It's amazing what a difference a week makes in terms of the weather. I have photos to post of crocuses that suddenly appeared ten days ago in the park that are now covered in deep snow. Our daffodils in the garden are still not out.

MTWaggin said...

Ouch but those early bulbs always have the risk of snow! :) Rather see bugs than fire - just sayin....

Ginny Hartzler said...

Awww, poor snowed under flowers! Well, you KNOW the pansies are my favorites!! BUT your hyacinths...I DO NOT remember you ever posting them!!! Guess my bad memory is getting worse...but I love these charming pink ones!!! Yes, we had lots of snow yesterday, it is to snow today and tomorrow morning. And I have to go to the funeral home tonight, tomorrow, 2 doctors appts. and a Palm Sunday service. Much travel screaming for MOI!!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I forgot to mention about the BUGS! Where did you hear that? They drive me crazy and I have more than one post coming up. Makes me SO glad we got three cats!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I always hate to see snow fall on those first beautiful blossoms.I do hope they will recover for you.

Janie said...

The daffodils are looking a little sad and meek with all the snow. Last week was a retreat into winter around here, and it's still cold. Maybe the weather will warm up for Easter.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh Betsy the poor little flowers are trying so hard for spring aren't they? And your yard is and is going to be GORGEOUS! sandie

Rohrerbot said...

Ugh Betsy!! So sorry about the flowers. I've had that happen and it's crushing!!! Hope they'll bounce back. I adore Hyacinths!!! And the Crocus. Favorite bulbs hands down....BUT the smell of the Hyacinth is my favorite next to the lilac.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

OMGosh Betsy, who can believe that!? TOTALLY amazing!! Thanks for the update! :)

Susannah said...

Oh...each one was stunning...just stunning! Until that awful winter snow showed up again. But those photos are amazing. So clear and the colors are so perfect. I hope Spring is soon. Nothing is up here at all. I am waiting and waiting!

Susannah

Small City Scenes said...

And you love the snow, right????? Poor flowers but Mother Nature will take care of them.
Our Daffs are just starting and the Crocus is almost over. My Tulips are growing and budding so maybe two weeks or so......maybe!
We got back from Arizona and as always am glad to be home. MB

Grandma Bonnie said...

I love all your beautiful flowers. It is too bad the snow had to interrupt and bother the flowers. Ours have not started peeking out yet. We got six inches of snow last night and it is still snowing hard now. I sure do look forward to warmer weather.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Oh no! The poor little flowers!! They were so pretty. We have plenty of snow, too. I'm really trying to think positive about it all, in spite of my grumbling. It is putting much needed moisture in the ground! I know you probably feel the same way. You and George always have the prettiest yard and it will be pretty again before you know it. Hurry Spring!!

Kay said...

My daffodils have bloomed, wilted and died already. But then we are warmer here in SoCal. I love the white ones with the orange centers. Mine are all yellow.

Ann said...

they are all so pretty. I can't wait till I start seeing some of that here. I love the hyacinth and I can smell them from here

Susie Swanson said...

It looks good already Betsy. My daffodils are almost gone. The crocuses are still pretty.. Sure is different from last year.. Love your beautiful pics... Hugs

Linda G. said...

Lovely springtime blooms!

It isn't unusual to see snow atop of daffodils up this way. We might get lucky this year, though, as they haven't bloomed yet. Shoot, my crocuses haven't even bloomed yet!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Winter sure keeps coming back. You got quite a bit of snow for your area. I know you all plant pansies in the fall and they stay out all winter, but I brought my two containers of pansies in Saturday night. They're still in the house. Lows in the teens just seem too cold for blooms!

HolleyGarden said...

Oh, so sorry it snowed on your pretty blooms! Spring is very late compared to last year! I wonder about your periwinkle. I've heard it could get a bit rampant, so I've never put it in my garden, but I'm considering doing so. Yours looks so pretty! Do you find it hard to keep it in check?

Connie said...

Your flowers are all so pretty, Betsy. I especially like the pansies. It's sad to see them all drooping down under the weight of the snow. I am very ready for spring to arrive.

Karen said...

We had lots of bugs and an invasion of rose beetles last spring, that lasted well into summer. Lovely shots of the flowers in your garden Betsy.

Starry Dawn said...

Hi dear Betsy,
I visit you this day to wish you, George, family, friends and loved ones, an awesome and Happy Spring Season, and also a Happy Easter!!
Your most wonderful photos and blogs make my days a lot brighter, my friend. Thank you for sharing your gifts, smiles, joy, talents and loving ways with the world!!
You are a super friend, Betsy.
Have a blessed time with those you love, sweetheart!!
Warm Hugs & All the Best,
Poet Starry.

carolina nana said...

We haven't had enough snow to cover our flowers yet but are expecting some overnight. March has definitely been an interesting month for everyone. Hopefully by the weekend we will get to thaw out !
I'm so tired of cold and wind !
Blessings
Marilyn

Marie said...

My favorite is your purple Crocus! Your yard is going to be so pretty!
Try and keep warm. :)

Pat Tillett said...

Beauty and tragedy, all in one post! It's so sad that the late snow was so hard on those beautiful flowers.

~mel said...

You have flowers! We have a good 3 feet of snow yet ... our flower show won't start until the end of May and if this weather keeps up I don't know if we'll even have flowers then. I'm shooting for June! lol

Neal said...

Those are gorgeous. You daffodils looks about like ours.

Busy Bee Suz said...

All of your bloomers are gorgeous.....sure wish they had jackets on before the cold came back! It is a bit chilly here today, and we like it because it is so rare for us. Happy Tuesday!
XO

Beth said...

Oh dear, I'm afraid we have much the same scene here in the North Carolina mountains---little spring blooms trying valiantly to lift their bright heads against the weight of snow. :-( Don't despair, Betsy---spring will soon return, I'm sure! And even with those pesky bugs, I'll be very glad to see it.

Out on the prairie said...

Nice to see the blooms, they will recover

Jeanne said...

Hard to believe how late these snow storms are coming in. My daughter in K.C. just had another 10 inches this past weekend! We will go there in a few weeks and hope it will be pretty and green by then! Your beautiful flowers will pop up again and be beautiful soon I'm sure.
Jeanne

Small Kucing said...

I wonder Hyacinths have any fragrance or not. Looks a bit like Tuba Rose .

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It is always so sad to have such pretty spring flowers covered by a late Spring snow! Hopefully they will revitalize when the snow melts, Betsy. I saw my first robin today --true Spring can't be too far behind.

diane b said...

Wow!Snow in spring...poor flowers . The weather sure is crazy this year. We keep getting hot summer days when it should be cooling down. The frequent storms have battered our garden. I should be out there cleaning up instead of blogging.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

gosh, i thought i had commented on this post - that is so wild. i love periwinkle. such a gorgeous plant & flower. i love spring. i wonder where it is? ( :

imac said...

Flowers beating the snow

imac said...

Flowers beating the snow

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I'm with the daffodils-praying for spring! I'm so over this crazy cold, rainy, windy weather!
You have lots of pretty spring flowers. My azaleas are really trying to bloom but aren't having much success.

Cheqna said...

Hi Betsy..,

lovely early spring flowers...sorry that its covered by snow ...hope today is a better day.

Anyway..take care and hope lovely spring will be back soon.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Betsy, Yes, I agree where is Spring. Just when we think YES it snows again. BUT your Spring Flowers look very lovely and all the colors are glorious. I would like to Wish you and your DH a Very Blessed and Happy Easter Holiday. Hugs Judy

Twilight Man said...

This Winter seems to be longest where it still snowed heavily in Beijing, China last week. It was strange!

Your flowers esp the daffodils are pretty. Hope the flowers will stay strong and pretty for more photo shoots!