Early Spring Flowers

It's early days yet in this chilly, slow spring, and spring bulbs continue to dominate the landscape.

Patio bed in early May: Narcissus and a few early tulips coming along

But a few very early blooming perennials are starting to wake up. Here is Erythronium 'Pagoda', the dog's tooth violet. This is its first year in my garden, and I am hoping it will be happy and increase over time. It's an elegant, delicate flower.

Erythronium (Dog's Tooth Violet) 'Pagoda'

Anemonella thalictroides (bloodroot) is also in full bloom now. A gardener could easily miss this tiny wildflower if she steps past it too quickly, but close inspection is rewarding. The plant blooms very early and then goes dormant in early summer.

Anemonella thalictroides (Bloodroot)

Closeup of Anemonella thalictroides (Bloodroot)

Several hellebores, stalwarts of the early garden, are looking fine. My favorite so far is 'Ivory Prince'. It has gorgeously silver veined blue-green foliage, which complements the red stems and pink and cream flowers just perfectly.

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ivory Prince'

Helleborus x nigercors 'Valentine Green' is just beginning to bloom. The flowers are so far more of a pale cream than green.

Helleborus x nigercors 'Valentine Green'

This unknown double orientalis type of hellebore (might possibly be 'Sparkling Diamond', but not sure) was the earliest to begin blooming. It should continue for another few weeks at least.

Hellebore, possibly 'Sparkling Diamond'

Pulsatilla vulgaris (Pasque Flower) is another very early bloomer to light up the spring. This is a pale purple one.

Pulsatilla vulgaris (Pasque Flower)

 Finally, the earliest of my shrubs to bloom is the haskap. I've seen plenty of big, fat bees buzzing around it - hopefully they are pollinizing it well!

Haskap (Honeyberry)

 It's been a very slow spring - ordinarily most of these flowers would be in April rather than May. Hopefully everything else won't start blooming at once!