Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’

Crocus are always a sign of springtime.  These were planted a few years ago and they continue to multiply each year.   I am frequently struck by how nice the singular color looks compared to the easter egg approach that I took for years.

Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ naturalizing in the lawn

Nearby is the Crocus ‘Ruby Giant’ which has been clipped by the rabbits (I think) in one of the plantings).

Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’

A very early bloomer for us every year is the common English Primrose.

Primula vulgaris

We planted a number of these after a trip to England in 2008.  Now each of those has become a clump that is easily divided into many plants.  I split one into about 15 plants last week.  I like the plain species rather than the various hybrids derived from the species.

In the woods we now have our best early Daffodil.

Narcissus ‘Little Gem’

These tiny little guys are very hardy and naturalizing nicely.  And they are dependably early.  Nearby the Puschkinia continue to make a statement in the woods.

Puschkinia scilloides

I think it’s also worth sharing the Adonis amurensis ‘Sandansaki’ again as it moves through its multi-stage flowering.

Adonis amurensis ‘Sandansaki’ with full lion’s mane

In the greenhouse a newcomer is the Sparaxis grown from seed distributed through the Pacific Bulb Society.

Sparaxis hadeco hybrid

The entire greenhouse is awash in the fragrance of orange blossoms right now.

Washington Navel Orange is covered in flowers

Our first little Hepatica is in bloom right now (a small white Hepatica japonica) but what I found even more striking was in a visit to my eldest son in Boston, I’ve seen flowers on the Hepaticas in his cold frame.  Boston itself is still weeks behind us, but in the cold frame I would say the Hepaticas are at least a week ahead of us.  These particular Hepaticas are seedlings of Hepatica japonica cultivars grown from seeds he obtained from Denmark three years ago.  They show some of the range of unusual flower color and quality that are rarely offered for sale in the U.S.  These are small but beautiful gems that speak for themselves.

Hepatic seedling #1

Hepatic Seedling #2

Hepatic Seedling #3

Hepatica Seedling #4

My own first year seedlings from the same grower are just now coming up in Maryland so these are sort of surprises I have to look forward to in two more years.