Hepatica nobilis from Seneca Hill Perennials
I took a look at
last year’s April bloom day post, and discovered that most of last year’s blooms are already gone. The crocus that were in their glory last April, are completely done with this year. The squills are at the end of their bloom. The Cornelian cherry that was merely in bud this time last spring is also over with, and the forsythia nearly so. The hepatica above is also done blooming, but it was so gorgeous I had to show it to you.
Early Arrivals
These passalong daffodils are blooming ten days earlier than usual
These double bloodroots, now in full bud, normally bloom the last week of April
Corydalis solida 'Blushing Girl', another early bird
All the hellebores are blooming, also early. This is my favorite
Also Blooming
- Primulas
- Mid-season daffodils (as well as the expected early ones)
- hyacinths
- glory-of-the-snow
- last of the squills
- Vinca minor
- forsythia, fading and leafing out
- grape hyacinths
- Johnny-jump-ups (starting)
- marsh marigold
- Juneberries
- the first dandelions
Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.
Tagged as:
bloodroot,
bloom_dates,
corydalis,
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day,
hellebores,
hepaticas,
Narcissus
About the Author
Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.
Now, the digging and dividing of perennials, the general autumn cleanup and the planting of spring bulbs are all an act of faith. One carries on before the altar of delayed gratification, until the ground freezes and you can’t do any more other than refill the bird feeder and gaze through the window, waiting for the snow. . . . Meanwhile, it helps to think of yourself as a pear tree or a tulip. You will blossom spectacularly in the spring, but only after the required period of chilling.
~Adrian Higgins
in
The Washington Post, November 6, 2013
It’s a strange spring for y’all that’s for sure. Here, it’s the first normal spring we’ve had in years. I love springs without late freezes because so much more is going on. Happy Bloom Day Kathy.~~Dee
I want everything pictured – but I am most jealous of your hellebore. Here (in northern Minnesota where, because I am close to Lake Superior I am considered zone four) I’ve only been able to get one white to really thrive. I’d love a pink or any color really b ut what ever I buy turns out white and marginally hardy. Any ideas as to where I might find a reliable pink or red which would be reasonably hardy here?
I love your blog and your attitude toward gardening. I only wish I had your energy.
Why don’t you go through my list of cold climate nurseries to see if any of them offer darker colored hellebores? I got mine from Seneca Hill Perennials, which grows zone 6 plants because of its deep snow cover (but also many hardier ones). I haven’t had a zone 4 winter in several years, so can’t promise the ones she sells would be hardy for you. Helleborus niger is generally regarded as the hardiest species, and that blooms white, which explains why you’ve had the most success with white flowered ones.
Lovely photos. Now all the snow has finally melted I expect some blooms in a few weeks.
So pretty all of them, I love the Hepatica nobilis. Those are gorgeous. I love that purple blue color. Also the double bloodroot are really pretty. I only have a few things blooming but things are definitely ahead of last year. I just hope that wasn’t our summer that whizzed by a couple of weeks ago. The weather this weekend doesn’t sound so good. Have a great day! ps hope your birthday was great.
‘Blushing Girl’ is absolutely darling in her pink ruffles:)
.-= Melody´s last blog ..April GBBD =-.
I love the hepatica… do you have a good recipe for it? I seem to be a sucker for little blue or purple flowers. I’m impressed that things are only ten days early for you. Here, some stuff is as many as two and a half weeks early, though not everything. It’ll be interesting to see when the hot weather plants kick in.
.-= cityslipper (small kitchen garden)´s last blog ..Small Kitchen Garden P*rn: Bloom Day, April 2010 =-.
I got the hepatica from Seneca Hill Perennials. I grow it in moist, shady soil, with leafmold in it. Is that what you mean by a recipe?
Love that double bloodroot… it’s added to my ‘wanna get’ list! Larry
.-= LC´s last blog ..Garden blogger’s bloom day… =-.
HEPATICA! BLOODROOT! I’ve totally forgotten how much I love those little spring ephemerals. LOVELY.
Happy Bloom Day, Kathy!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 2010 =-.
That double blood root is an amazing sight — even still in bud. I had one that died and am trying again but can only dream of achieving such a group. Pink corydalis is lovely and one I was not familiar with so thanks for the intro.
Linda, I got the pink corydalis from Odyssey Bulbs, a terrific mail order source of unusual bulbs. If you order from him, tell him Kathy Purdy sent you!
A very strange spring we’re having. It’s interesting that your Hepatica is already done, while mine is still eking out blooms. What a glorious sight your double Sanguinaria patch will be in a few days.
This is only the second blooming year for the hepatica, and it is not the native species (or strain, or whatever it is these days) but the European one. Or maybe I should go back and look again. There may be a last bud hiding in there.
You have quite a lot blooming in your garden. Thanks for the tour. Have a great day.
I am not a pink person, but I really like that Corydalis. I have a yellow one that has been the devil to ID, but I now know what it is. My on-line research has given me a greater appreciation of the genus. Happy GBBD!