Well, it's finally arrived! After much waiting, spring has finally decided to make an entrance here in Massachusetts - trees are budding, bulbs are emerging, and the first bloom has finally been spotted in my garden!
And what is the first flower to bloom at the Red House Garden?
It is....
.
.
.
a weed!
 |
| coltsfoot |
Well, beggars sure can't be choosers after such a long winter. I'll take anything.
Even a weed.
Thankfully, however, not long after the Coltsfoot weed in my yard started blooming, I did get a few real garden blooms.
The diminutive early Crocus 'Spring Beauty' has started blooming. These tiny Crocuses are so pretty and a little more unusual looking due to the dark feathering on their outer petals.
My favorite flowers blooming in the garden right now, though, are not what most people think of as flowers.
The soft, fuzzy catkins of my Pussy Willows have emerged. Catkins are actually thin, long clusters of flowers that have either no petals or very inconspicuous ones.
 |
| a catkin on a Pussy Willow |
I have loved Pussy Willows ever since I was a kid, and I was thrilled to find them growing wild in my yard.
And it looks like I am not the only one!
To find out what else is blooming in other people's gardens around the world, visit Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens blog!
Oh, I love the Pussy Willows, too! So soft and diminutive. The Spring Beauty Crocuses are pretty special, too. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteAccording to my Mom, I would pick Pussy Willows and save them.. long after their prime. I still do love them! Happy Bloom Day!
DeleteWell, we are neighbors. Nice to meet you. Don't you just love pussy willows? Happy Bloom Day.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too! It's great to see another New England blogger! Happy Bloom Day to you, too, even though it just snowed last night!
DeleteWe lost our pussy willow a few years ago--I miss it! I've been scanning the garden the last few weeks, worried about what plants I might have lost after this harsh winter. But the winter didn't seem to faze several things--I have a nice crop of weeds coming on, too:) Such a pretty little crocus!
ReplyDeleteI've been so relieved to see most of the plants I planted last fall are still alive. I'm glad that the winter didn't faze too many of your plants - though I wish it would have killed a few weeds (other than my little early blooming ones, anyway)!
DeleteColtsfoot may be a weed, but it is very pretty. I bet the bees like it.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pretty, cheerful looking weed! I love yellow flowers, and it's so nice to see one after the winter, even if it is considered a weed.
DeleteWhat a beautiful weed!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! I spent a lot of tender-loving care growing that weed. ;)
DeleteSo funny, one gardener's weed is another gardener's wished-for medicinal plant. Maybe someone would covet my dandelions. The pussy willows are cute, I like them in dried arrangements. We've started seeing bumblebees too, some of them seem a little grumpy.
ReplyDeleteMy husband tells me that they work to grow dandelions in parts of India, so apparently there is someone who would covet your dandelions :) It's nice to start seeing the bees outside - it really makes it feel like spring.
Deletethe little thinks mean alot..sweet
ReplyDeleteI'll take any signs of spring I can! I'm finally starting to see some daffodil blooms, yay!
DeleteThe first flowers here were weeds too! I left them for any early bees. I love pussy willow - it's over so quickly though. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful plants have such fleeting blooms! I guess it makes you savor it more.
DeleteMy mom always used pussy willows to hang our Easter eggs. Such great memories. They are hard to find in stores and I have never thought about growing them. Love the shot of the bee on the catkin!
ReplyDeleteOh that is a cute idea! I don't remember seeing them as much down south. I wonder if they grow as well down there?
DeleteSo pleased to see spring has finally arrived in your garden, and I agree, the willow catkins is one of the loveliest sights of early spring.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely welcome after the long winter we've had!
DeleteHow nice to see spring coming - the pussy willow is lovely. Even your weed looks cheerful! It's funny to me that the weeds are always there first - and last!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, they alway survive the best! I couldn't believe it the other year when we had a solid week of 105 degree weather, and my crabgrass looked like I had been pouring fertilizer on it! I guess they have to be tough to be weeds!
DeleteThe first blooms in my white garden were coltsfoot....nice to see blooms in your garden.
ReplyDeleteToo bad they weren't white blooming weeds for your white garden! :) But they are so cheerful, and nothing says spring to me like yellow in the garden, even if it's weeds!
DeleteHa, I'm hoping we will be here to stay for a very looong time! (Of course, that is what I thought about the last house, so you never know!)
ReplyDelete