Dwarf irises

After the crocuses, the Iris reticulatas are the next flower to bloom. These are great little flowers that get better every year. We planted the bulbs about 5 years ago and now we have several sizable colonies growing in the front yard.

This sky blue variety, Iris reticulata 'Harmony', is starting to collect snow flakes during the ides of March. It doesn't mind the snow at all.

Lisette doesn't mind the late winter snowfall either.

These little gems were completely covered a deep blanket of snow, but as soon as it melts they look as good as ever.

I believe this purple clump is the most representative of the species, but they are several varieties, including white ones. They bloom for about 3 weeks and they definitely get me excited for spring!

Sites of spring

I love crocuses. They are such lovely little flowers. After you plant the bulbs in fall, you don't ever have to worry about them again. Every year they multiply and bloom in bigger clumps. They're so endearing because they're the first flower to bloom in spring.

Usually they will bloom in late February, but this winter was harsher than most, so they didn't come up until now.

They orange crocuses are especially fun; their color is so vibrant contrasted against the plain brown earth and the tawny dead leaves and foliage. They also have this great dark green pine needle-like leaves.

This early-rising honeybee is happy to have some nectar to sip and some pollen to collect.

Here's a purple Iris reticulata that's already in bloom. The rest of them will come up in full force later this month. Spring is on it's way!

Rebloom

Last winter we bought an amaryllis bulb as part of Ian's life science curriculum. It grew tall and bloomed right away. We've kept it on the kitchen window sill since then and watered it now and then.

I wasn't completely sure how to correctly care for amaryllis bulbs so we were very happily surprised when a little green shoot started popping out of the dry bulb a month ago, and quite pleased to see such a lovely bloom this month.

Having flowers in winter seems so hopeful. We have a little bit of iris reticulata and crocus foliage poking out of the ground right now, too. It feels like spring is around the corner and we've just about made it through winter.

Hmm... I better get my seeds started and a few more ski runs in before it's too late!