It’s Joseph in northern Indiana here, where a string of warm days has pushed my garden over into the earliest flowers of spring.
I picked this hellebore (Helleborus hybrid, Zones 4–8) from a local nursery with no tag, so I didn’t know what to expect. It was just a small plant, and I honestly wasn’t sure it would flower this year, but here it is! It’s a nice double pink, and the flowers don’t hang down quite as much as most varieties I’ve grown. I’m happy!
When I moved into this house two and a half years ago, the backyard was choked with invasive weeds like Lonicera maackii. One of the rewards for clearing that out was discovering clumps of common snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis, Zones 3–8).
In the front garden I’ve planted lots of giant snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii, Zones 4–8). You can see how this plant gets the name, compared to the flowers of the common snowdrop in the backyard. The giant is a bit earlier blooming too. But I love both of them!
I planted a bunch of crocuses (Crocus minimus ‘Spring Beauty’, Zones 4–8 ) last fall. The squirrels ate most of them, but a few survived and are blooming.
Reticulata irises (Iris reticulata and related species and hybrids, Zones 5–9) are favorite early bloomers for me. They don’t persist well in heavy clay soil, but this garden is very sandy, so they seem happy. This one was part of a mix of different varieties and so I’m not sure of the cultivar name, but it sure is pretty!
I always forget just how early Pulmonaria (Zones 3–8) are. I always think of bulbs as early bloomers, but this little perennial starts so soon, with plenty of more blooms to come.
And this is maybe my favorite early bloomer of all—snow trillium (Trillium nivale, Zones 3–8). It isn’t quite open yet, but it will be soon! I love this little plant because it is so early, AND it is native, a key food source for native pollinators coming out of their winter hibernation.
Any signs of spring in your garden? Send in photos! We’d love to see them here on the GPOD.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.
Comments
Joseph, I really enjoyed your posting of those plants. The pink Helleborus is a show-stopper! I did not know there was such a thing as a larger Snowdrop but will try and buy that. The Reticulata Iris is stunning — but nothing could come close to the Pulmonaria, with the colours of pink and blue. Thanks for showing us your spring garden. Such a happy time of year.
The Iris reticulata is a beauty! Spring is springing early this year!
I enjoyed seeing your early spring flowers. You are about a week ahead of me in central Michigan. I have snowdrops and crocus in bloom. Really like the little iris.
The Iris reticulata is lovely and the snowdrops look great!
I love the Trillium nivale and Iris! Your early spring garden is inspiring!
I really like the pale color of the Iris reticulata!
That pink hellebore is so very beautiful - thanks for sharing your Spring garden!
Love them all- thanks for the dose of Spring tonic!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in