GARDEN BLOGGERS' BLOOM DAY FEBRUARY 2012

Please join our hostess, Carol of Maydreams, who invites us to share our February blooms.

When I went outside this morning to look for blooms I was really surprised to see that the Ipheion uniflorum was in bud. It was in the shade so I thought I'd wait until I came home in the afternoon. By then the whole clump was in bloom. I have 3 clumps. Two will bloom, the third has been eaten down by critters.

Later on in the afternoon the summer snowflake, Leucojum aestivum,  had opened one bloom.

There are always a few larkspur that jump the gun.

and a couple of grape hyacinths peaking above their lanky foliage.

A few blanket flowers, Gaillardia pulchella, will risk blooming early.

Erigeron daisy in the sunken garden.

and lots of four nerve daisies, Tetraneuris scaposa, in the from garden.




 Sweet alyssum, in all its many shades.

early blooming purple skullcap, Scutellaria wrightii.

The viburnum, Viburnum tinus, spring bouquet. Pink buds open to white flowers.

And now for the February surprise blooms. The color of this gazania is a real surprise. Started from seed last year it sulked its way through the fierce Austin summer, took advantage of the warm winter and voila. February bloom.

Another gazania in the sunken garden. You never know what the colors will be in a mixed seed packet.

Usually Verbena bonariensis, dies over the winter. Not this year. I have several clumps 2' across. I am torn between pulling them out and saving them. If only they were in the right place.

Despite these early blooms the garden is really still in its awakening state with green being the predominant color. Give it another month and it will be awash with color.
Wherever you may be I hope you are all enjoying February bloom day in your garden.