Blooming in My Yard: February 22-28, 2015

Winter has been busy but I couldn’t let another week go by without featuring some of the plants in the yard this past week.

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

The first azalea (Rhododendron spp.)  is in bloom, though not peaking yet. It’s a beautiful hot pink color!

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are classic spring harbingers in nearly every state I’ve resided.

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

Though most of the current flowers are in the top 1/3 canopy, lower hanging blossoms are beginning to open on the tall hedge of Loropetalum chinese.

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

The first couple of yellow blossoms of Gelsemium sempervirens have opened on my patio.

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

My Daphne odora opened flowers a couple of weeks ago. I love to smell its fragrant blossoms.

Toad in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

Okay, yes, I know…NOT a blossom. But I could not resist this little toad. Toads have little burrows/holes all over my yard and garden. I love to find them. This particular little dude was hanging out under one of my flower pots. I consider it great luck and a good indicator of environmental health to have many frogs and toads.

Blooming in My Yard, final week of February. TheGardenMaiden_copyright_2015

Finally, for this post, a photograph of one of my spring bulbs: a hyacinth. I don’t have any idea which variety, but I was happy to find two of these in a flower bed in my backyard last year.

For many of you I know that spring cannot come soon enough. And although we are fortunate to have mild winters down here, I too, am looking forward to a warmer spring.

Last night and tonight I’ll sleep with the windows open and enjoy a serenade from the nightly frog chorus across the highway.

Yours in Gardening!

The Garden Maiden