Hola, Spring!
Doesn’t this senorita look ready for spring? Maybe that’s because she lives on my back porch (poor thing) and sees that the garden is waking up.
The Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana ) is awake. Hundreds of tiny, white buds are unfurling along the bare branches.
Hola!!
Beneath the plum, summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum ) have pushed up through last year’s leaves, and the first white-and-green buds are swelling. I planted these bulbs last fall. Not all bulbs grow well in hot, dry Austin, but the Southern Bulb Co. promised that these would.
Purple oxalis (Oxalis triangularis ) remains evergreen (everpurple) through the winter, but now that spring has sprung, its delicate, violet flowers have reappeared. This is a sweet plant for shade and semi-shade that manages to pack a punch against spring greens with its deep-purple foliage.
When you lean in to admire the fragrance of Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens ), don’t forget that a bee may be busy in there.
Ah, the passion of spring! This passion flower (Passiflora incarnata ) tendril searches for something to embrace.
Say “Adios!” to winter. Spring is here!
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Lucky you! Spring already? It’s impossible for me to imagine it ever arriving at this time of year.
Then I hope you enjoy a taste of spring here at Digging, Jane Marie. Thanks for dropping by. —Pam
What lovely photos of the lovely mexican plum, my neighbor in Houston had one and it was the gorgeous. It seems that your summer snowflake is more of a spring snowflake, not sure of the difference. Your pretty senorita really says Texas!
Frances at Faire Garden
I’ve wondered about that bulb’s name too, Frances. It seems a misnomer to call it a summer snowflake in February. —Pam
Where did you get that picture of me? ;^) (I don’t have green eyes.) Oxalis is 1 plant that I wish were hardy enough to grow in Zone 5. The foliage is so great, the flowers are merely an added bonus.
MMD, I think you’re the only person who’s ever told me she wished she could grow oxalis in her zone. Most gardeners swear it’s a weed in their parts. However, this one is very well behaved in Austin. —Pam
Your garden is waking up all refreshed. Mine just got slapped down with more cold and snow! The good news, for me, is that you share your garden with us through your blog. It warms me up just to look at your pictures.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Not more snow! Well, then I’m doubly glad to share these early-spring images with you, Carol. —Pam
I just love your photos!
Thank you, Marie. I’m happy to hear from a Norse blogger. You have a beautiful landscape there. —Pam
Yep, we got more snow today! After seeing your lovely spring blooms, I can just close my eyes and imagine the warmth of sunshine on my face.
My husband is in your city on business this week. I wish I could have gone with him to see spring for myself.
I wish you could have too, Robin. I hope your husband enjoys his visit and gets to have a little fun while he’s here. But not too much, or you’ll really wish you could have joined him. 😉 —Pam
OMG just what I needed to see today. We are in the “feels like” zone today. Feels like 11F. UGH
No spring here. I am just hoping to see the Lunar Eclipse tonight without snow clouds that are
supposedly accumulating. On top of your gorgeous blooming pear you have bees in the garden too.
All I can do is drool. Love this peep at spring.
I just went out to look at the moon, but we’re nearly socked in with clouds. I took a few photos but am not expecting much. Good luck with your moon-watching! —Pam
There’s something about that senorita that reminds me of you, Pam. I think it’s the smile . . . We got snow yesterday, and if Carol got some today I’ll probably get it tomorrow. Today it was sunny and hovered around freezing. Boy, sunshine makes such a difference!
How flattering, Kathy, mi amiga. Snow yesterday and tomorrow? Well, if it has to be cold, I wish you many sunny days until you’re here for the Spring Fling. —Pam
Great cheery post! I love the bulbs – it’s great when they grow here, isn’t it? Your Senorita looks ready to welcome Spring Flingers to your garden!!! I’d say the Passionflower tendril is looking for something to choke, though! That’s my experience with them!
Yes, she’s ready! Bienvenidos! Your comment about the passionflower cracked me up. So I need to watch out for this one, huh? —Pam
Adios to winter in Austin, for sure…but not here! We’re back in the deep freeze after a brief respite but I’m okay with that, because I know it’s far too early for us to be thinking spring except in the very basic sense–that we can start planning in earnest for its eventual arrival.
Jodi, I’ll hope you’ll pop by whenever you need a taste of spring to get you through the last weeks of winter in Canada. —Pam
Pam,
We have hellebores and daffs blooming but i think more may be going on. It’s time to put on the wellies (it’s wet in my back yard) and check out what else is emerging.
As always a joy to visit your garden.
Gail
Thanks, Gail. I hope you made springtime discoveries in your garden too. And please send a little of that rain this way. —Pam
I think you’ll find that the Leucojum aestivum are very dependable here in Austin. Mine have come back every year with almost no care from me at all. In England they are reputed to like “mucky” soil. That must be what makes it possible for them to survive in our black clay gumbo.
I’m happy to hear that any bulb loves our black gumbo. First oxblood lilies and now summer snowflakes! —Pam
Say “Adios!†to winter. Spring is here!
OUCH! It was 3 below F. last night. The good news is the full moon was out so I expect to see a warming trend very soon. Meanwhile I’ll just enjoy your Spring vicariously. I won’t let the plum photos ‘Prunus’ my spirits, they offer proof that spring is headed north.
Please do come back whenever you need a breather from winter. Soon enough, I’ll be wanting a breather from summer and will be envious of you northern gardeners. —Pam
I saw your flowers and just took a deep breath. We have icy roads today, but I’m burning a Fresh Cut Roses Yankee Candle to keep myself in the floral mood.~~Dee
Spring can’t be too far off for Oklahoma, can it? Sending warm thoughts your way, Dee. —Pam
spring?
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great. isn’t it refreshing and adding wings?
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for us in Poland still some time to wait, however winter is extraordinary light this year.
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greetings,
Hi, Ewa. I’m glad that you’re enjoying a warmer winter than usual, unless you count on snowmelt for your water supply, in which case I wish you a big snowstorm before summer. 😉 —Pam
Ah Corona! What a beautiful advert tray for your porch, Pam. Very bright & cheerful. Great photo of your passionflower. I’ll have to go check to see if mine is setting out tendrils yet.
Isn’t it fun? I found it Tesoros on South Congress. —Pam