Last updated on March 23rd, 2014
WHAT’S POPPING UP in your garden these last (we hope) days of winter? Minor bulbs…like the intrepid snowdrop pictured above? I’ll confess this Gallanthus made my heart skip a beat when I found it blooming at the base of the Serpentine Garden this morning. In fact, its nodding white bells prompted a “treasure hunt” for other signs of life amidst the mostly-departed snow. Here’s what I found:
In the bed beside the front porch, winter aconites are defying the frigid temperatures. Do you have this yellow-cupped, green-ruffed Eranthis hyemalis in your own garden? For a minor bulb, it offers major color.
Hardly breath-taking, but a comfort nonetheless, is the collection of winter-sown seeds. I’ve been checking them daily this month, and just today discovered a few lettuce seeds have sprouted. These were planted in early January, and watered by snow and ice. If you haven’t tried your hand at winter-sowing yet, by all means give it a try.
The rest of my winter-sown seeds are biding their time in miniature greenhouses made from recycled milk- and water-jugs. Based on past history, these seeds will explode in April.
Well, they won’t actually explode.
They will germinate.
And how.
On the southern hill in the Serpentine Garden, my Chinese Witch Hazel, above, has opened its fragrant, red, spidery blooms. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to climb the steps of this garden while inhaling the intoxicating perfume. If you don’t have this Hamamelis in your garden, by all means obtain it. A more dependable winter-blooming shrub doesn’t exist.
Spring-flowering bulbs are emerging here in sloping south and east locations where the snow has melted. Above, the green tips of Dutch hyacinths are peeking through sun-warmed soil.
Also sprouting in the Serpentine Garden are crocuses…
And daffodils.
In the Kitchen Garden, the autumn-planted garlic has resumed growth. Did you plant garlic last fall? It’s very easy to grow.
Meanwhile, in the Woodland Garden, the fish are swimming once again, after their semi-comatose winter-period. Unfortunately they fled to the depths of the pond the moment they saw my camera. Obviously they hate the paparazzi as much as Kristin Stewart does.
Rhododendrons in the Woodland Garden are sporting their gorgeous flower buds. They will bloom in mid-April.
And that’s about it for my garden thus far. What’s emerging in your neck of the woods? Or are you still buried under a blanket of snow?
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.
Related Posts:
Garden Tour, January 2013
Garden Tour, Autumn 2012
How I Prepare my Raised Beds for Winter
Terri says
In central Wisconsin we are still buried under 3 feet of snow! I’m very jealous of the signs of life in your garden.
jennifer says
In SC we’ve got lots of new beginnings, but my tomatoes that I started inside on Feb 8th have stalled with no increase in size in about 10 days, any suggestions?
jj says
The edge of the Great Central Valley in Northern California has seen spring like weather for these last weeks. The Blue Oaks are just starting to leaf out & my crocus are already spent! The peaches, almonds, and blue berries are in full bloom. Iv’e discovered sturdy Chamomile and Salisfy seedlings where they sow themselves outdoors, and a shallow bowl of Grape Hyacinths literally burst into bloom on my steps. I’ve started melons, squash, and Loofa indoors… so far.
badger gardener says
In SE Wisconsin we are not quite as buried as Terri in the central part of the state, but there is no exposed ground yet. Every Spring I wish I had planted Snowdrops and every Fall I forget. Thanks for the glimpse of yours. What a comforting sight. My rhododdendron is buried because I planted it too close to the driveway but I know it has some buds. I did not have luck propogating it last year since I didn’t keep up w/ the drought and I had majorly disturbed the soil in removing hostas. I plan on trying this Spring again so I can give the new plant a better location. Currently the rhodo is at the lowest part of the driveway snowdrift since I try to avoid throwing shovelfuls directly on it. The problem with that? When the neighborhood kids scurry between yards, I realized too late they naturally picked that spot to climb over. So I may find some broken branches when the snow melts.
Donna B. says
I’m watching my snowdrops daily too – just waiting for them to pop open!
[But I’m NOT looking forward to this crazy winter weather we’re supposed to get for the next two days… Saturday is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL and I may be stuck inside working on flooring in my house!]
Thank you for reminding me though – I need to go check up on my daffodils and various other spring ephemerals! I think I’m looking forward to my siberian squill the most! ♥
Susi says
Here in Tolland, CT our daffodils are budded up out by the chimney and the rhodies are looking good. Snow came in today and will continue to pile up tonight…..grrrrrrrrr! But the moisture is good, right? Probably should’ve complain!
Scott Trudell says
Just had another snowstorm here in Madison, WI… So we are still buried under a blanket of snow. However… I see all of this coming week is supposed to be sunny with highs in the mid to upper 40’s. That should get things melting! Planted three different types of Snowdrops last fall in my shade garden, so am looking forward to comparing the difference in flower form. I’m such a plant geek!
Angela says
all my plants are still slumbering under about 5 feet of snow, but thanks to you I tried forcing some branches and have been enjoying those blooms for a couple of weeks.The crab apple are just starting to open up, my 3 yr old is enchanted, and now wants to try to make every stick she finds outside into flowers!
Behold says
I haven’t seen much in my Seacoast-area NH gardens which are still mostly covered in snow (with more piling on top). Where I did have bare ground a couple of days ago, the garlic was starting to come up, and poppies and irises were showing a little green.
Lori G. says
Signs of spring: Crocuses are flowering madly. Hyacinths and daffodils are poking up through the ground. And I thought I saw a couple of early tulips starting to emerge. After a lovely, rainy day yesterday, today we have a ‘blizzard’ warning with cold winds and yes, more snow. I won’t complain for we need the moisture but I’m ready for spring and it could be rain instead, right? So I’ve contented myself with my seedings and seed starting efforts. We shall see…
blake says
Can’t wait to try that apple tart! I suspect it will be very yummy as are all the reciples that I have tried that you have shared.
How fortunate you are to have the beginning of spring around you. I love spring especially early spring. But in in Maine we still have a good foot of snow on the ground and the snowbanks are high. So it will be a couple of weeks at least before I see any signs of spring.
But thanks for sharing your springtimes treasures, it just reminds me spring indeed will come here too. In the meantime, on to make that apple tart and then sit by the woodstove with a fine cup of tea!
Cilla in MT says
Here we are still in winter and snow…won’t see the ground for a month a least…But I loved your calling searching for the first signs “treasure hunting”. That is exactly how it feels….searching for the tiny little green sprouts and maybe a crocus! Thank you for your lovely pictures!
joetta says
What kind of rhodendron grows there? I haven’t gotten it to grow successfully here, and haven’t seen it in anyone else’s yard either.
joetta says
I should say, our climate seems similar to yours, as I also have garlic, tulips, daffodils poking up, the snowdrops are blooming as is one hellebore and even a clump of pansies.
Sara in Indiana says
Here in central Indiana, we had some yellow crocus blooming at the beginning of February. Then the weather turned cooler, and cold, and those crocus did not wilt until just a few days ago! Every time the snow melted, there were those cheery yellow blossoms, a promise that Spring really was not far away!
Elizabeth says
Hi Kevin, I am in Stratford, ON. Canada & we still have plenty of snow here but it has been melting the past few days with warmer temps. Expecting rain tonight & tomorrow & a bit colder again. Just having the sun out & temps around high 30’s make us think of spring & it’s imminent arrival. A question about winter sowing. Can you use clear plastic water bottles. That was all I could find here.
Love your sit & newsletter as well as the recipes. I need gluten free so appreciate when you add substitute ingredients in recipes.
Sonya says
Here in Carson City, NV, we enjoyed warm temperatures yesterday so I ventured into my garden to collect the earliest weeds before they are tough to pull up. I spotted rogue lettuce that I had let go to seed last summer. My spinach sewn in milk jugs had blown over and scattered, so I might have more rogue sproutings soon! :D. I planted more spinach yesterday and secured the jug this time–I’m a relative newbie to gardening in this area–my, what a wind stirs here! My lavender plantings survived their first and second winter, respectively as did the landscaping our landlord put in last January. It looks like our backyard will be quite the attraction this year, indeed!! Thanks for this inspiring blog. I really enjoy your posts!
Nikki G says
Here in NW Arkansas we have had a mild winter and had early warm weather. Star Magnolia is popping out, hyacinth up, daffodils blooming, blue birds scouting out their house. We could still have a late freeze, but the early arrivals are usually not daunted. Oh, just a few days ago I watched a small flock of geese headed back your way! It won’t be long till we are complaining about the heat, ha!
Elaine H says
In Fort Worth TX, I have buds on my gladiolus, daffodils, and irises!
Beverly, zone 6 eastern PA says
There’s an ever-expanding colony of Snowdrops in my front center garden, all nodding their little white bonnets right now. Nearby, the tips of Iris reticulata, Chionodoxa, Daffodils, Scilla, Hyacinths and Crocuses are emerging. I noticed the purple leaves of Mertensia making a half inch debut and my Fantail Pussywillow catkins are “silvering” up. A huge crop of tiny tulips, the red and white Clusiana’s, spreading from seed, are showing their greenery and competing with the stonecrop groundcover. The many Hens and Chicks in the Succulent Berm are wearing their winter colors, more reds and maroons than usual. Lettuces are growing inside the house along with Johnny Jump Up seedlings. Larkspur seedlings are expanding outside, all on their own, same for the white Lunaria seedlings. And most exciting of all since it’s related to mouth watering recipes… garlic tips are poking through their blanket of chipped leaves. Three kinds!!
We never had a big snowstorm this winter, rather many 1, 2 or 3 inch annoyance storms. I would have liked the protection of a deeper snow blanket.
Lee McLean says
Here in Alberta, Canada, we have snow. Sigh. But the bald eagles are back in the cottonwood trees, as the old song goes – and last night we had a formation of Canada geese doing a fly-by after their Texas winter layover. Dare I say that spring is on her way?
Susan Heady says
Here in Northeast Ohio, the thermometer read 60 F! So I played all day in the yard along side the honeybees sipping nectar from the yellow and purple crocus. Many signs of spring bursting forth were viewed with full blooming of giant snowdrops, Helleborus in creamy white and the purple-rose ones, my yellowish witch hazel, and the spring heath (Erica). Lots of other plants sending out leaves shyly because more snow is inevitable.
Sheila Sayles says
I am still totally covered in snow……well, the yard and woods. Hope to see little treasures popping up before April!
Nancy says
okay, you are farther north than we are and why aren’t we seeing what you are seeing. We have some of the same ephemerals…. Where is spring/pre-spring. Can’t wait?
Dan B. says
I’m going to have to plant some of these.
Naomi Shelton says
I am in central Michigan and the last couple days have been in the 40’s, melting almost all the snow that we got a couple of weeks ago. The row of daffodils (narcissus? I’m never sure the correct name; they are the yellow kind w/trumpets in the middle.) are peeking their little leaf tips out of he ground and I can hardly wait til they are in full bloom. Haven’t made a full sweep of the yard yet to know what else is coming up, but I am heartened that Spring seems to actually be on the horizon. So early, really, compared to when I was a youngster.
Tina says
Here, in central Alabama, we have had a really light winter so far. The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom, the daffodils and tulip trees have been blooming for over a month. New growth coming out on so many things, hope we don’t get another hard freeze. Allergy season has already started here. I think everyone in our neighborhood worked out in their yards at one time or another this weekend. And the smells of grills came from all over. It was just a nice weekend.
Renate Simsa says
We too are still buried under 2 feet of snow with more freezing temps and snow to come. I cannot even get into the garden plot.
Denise in Colorado says
Winter is wearing me down! I have cabin fever by the end of Feb.!! It is time to get my spring signs of life to motivate me through the rest of the cold Colorado spring! I needed an island vacation in January. Maybe next year!
My winter-sown seeds are just now showing tiny speck of green in their miniature greenhouses made from Az green tea jugs! I looked in today and I was shocked to see wildflowers sprouting! I’ll see if they survive transplanting… I need to check on the garlic I planted last fall! First time I’ve tried both of these techniques, thanks to your inspiration, Kevin!
Winter, goodbye! Spring and Summer, hurry up! 😉
Riversana says
NW corner of Georgia here, and my daffodils have been blooming for a month. Crocuses I planted after Christmas are already blooming and I’m loving their color! My snowdrops put up lots of foliage, but as of yesterday I’ve only seen two little blooms. And I thought these guys were supposed to be first?! I’m intrigued by your description of the Chinese Witch Hazel–I may have to find me one of those!
Constance Clark says
Oh dear! So many! Daffodils, Hyacinths, Nasturtiums are blooming, Bells of Ireland, Bluebells, Russel Lupines, Spinach, lettuce, Turnips, Tomatillo, corn, sunflowers, squash, bush beans, Armenian cucumbers, Chiles, bell peppers, Green Flesh Pineapple, beets, celery, carrots, tomatoes are all sprouting! I am looking forward to moving the seedlings to their homes.
Hoosier John says
Snowdrops, witch hazel, and the emerging buds of hellebores along with huge flocks of north bound Sandhill Cranes overhead daily announce spring for this area of central Indiana. Oh, and the noisy flocks of redwing blackbirds! We’ve had a good,”normal” winter with much-needs snow. But I’m ready for spring!
Arthur in the Garden! says
Beautiful!
Kate says
Not like…..LOVE!
Amy (Get Busy Gardening) says
New follower here! Most of my garden is still covered by snow here in Minneapolis. But I have seen a few signs of life around the base of some of the perennials that are no longer covered by snow. Alas, we’ll be getting another 6-8″ on Monday, hopefully that will be it and it will melt quickly. BTW, my fish do the same thing, they hate having their pictures taken. Your pond looks a lot like mine.
Amy
jason says
howdy! love the site btw. I am winter sowing for the first time and in a big way, went crazy ordering all kinds of flower seeds on ebay. I have one milk jug sprouting , a pink malva, so i brought it inside and put under my grow lights along with the seeds i’m starting indoors, is this the right thing to do or can i safely leave outside? The lupines also look like they are about to sprout, looks like they are breaking open. In winsted, ct here and still a ways off from the last frost, thoughts and suggestions please? Thanks again for the great site.
Heres 2 pics of the pink malva from the seeds i ordered so you can tell what kind they are:
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq348/jaym1818/HollyhockZebraZebrinaMallowMuskMalva500FlowerBulkSeeds2.jpg
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq348/jaym1818/HollyhockZebraZebrinaMallowMuskMalva500FlowerBulkSeeds1.jpg
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Amy, and welcome. Hope your 6-8″ of snow is followed by a heat wave! Time for spring, right?
jason – Nice to meet you. Beautiful pictures. With winter-sowing, the idea is to keep the containers out of doors. This will permit the seedlings to develop into strong, sturdy plants.
jason says
Thanks kevin, did a little more reading and noticed alot of people saying in general that they will be ok. Just felt these were popping up a lil too early and got a lil nervous!
Maria says
The green tips of my giant allium bulbs are popping right through the cold earth here in Saratoga County, NY. It’s nice to see that the little critters only got to one of them last Fall.
By the way, is it too soon to start my Calendula seeds indoors??
Marilynn says
Here in my small community of Sachse, TX I have seen my daffodils come and go. Now the paperwhites are in full bloom, snap dragons blooming, pear trees in full bloom, hostas shooting up, as well as oak trees blooming. I think we are in full spring mode here around the Dallas, TX area. We had a mild winter with no snow or ice just frost. That means my peonies and other bulb plants coming up may not bloom as well.