The solstice passed & each day is just a little brighter than the last. With optimism I step outside searching for signs of the new year…
JOY !! Snowdrops in bloom 🙂
If these little bulbs can thrive during the cold, cloudy winter, then so can we.
Happy New Year!
P.S. Ok, to be honest: these blooms are not from my yard. I searched & searched but found no signs of them yet. BUT – – Just 6 houses down the street, there they are! Talk about micro-climates. 🙂 All the more reason to go for a walk, eh?
A couple of years ago, in March, I started noticing patches of tiny blue flowers along the roads of older neighbourhoods. Flowers flourished in areas that hadn’t been manicured for a very long time.
I soon realized these blooming meadows are the naturalized dreams of gardeners past. I’m charmed by that romance.
These hardy bloomers are Glory of Snow, or, if you like unpronounceable names: Chionodoxa. Try to say that easily the first time around! 🙂
Glory of Snow originated in Turkey & Greece – along the Mediterranean. I’ve heard southern Vancouver Island compared to a Mediterranean rain forest, so it makes sense these plants survive well here. What surprises me more is that they’re hardy to zone 4! They can withstand a whole lot more cold. Do these grow in your neck of the woods??
photo by SVSeekins
Aside from naturalizing well, these plants are also valuable to me because they’re:
winter blooming
drought tolerant
low maintenance
Once planted, just leave them to their own devices. How great is that? I’ve even seen them surviving in shallow crevices of rocky outcroppings.
photo by SVSeekins
They seem perfectly happy in lawns, too, although I’ll bet they do better if the grass isn’t cut until late April when they’re done for the season. That would mean it’s more of a meadow than a lawn. C wouldn’t go for that. He likes lush but trim. That’s why I’ve added Glory of Snow as under-story plantings in our shrub border instead.
The best patch I’ve ever encountered is around Dunlop House Restaurant, a heritage building on the grounds of Camosun College, and their Hospitality Management Program facility. C’s mum took us there for supper the other night. The meal was lovely, and the meadow: spectacular!
Drivers are warned to be aware of a mob of Galanthus near the intersection of Fort Street and Leighton Road.
photo by SVSeekins
Please contain your excitement. It is dangerous to drive while craning your neck, trying to get a better look.
Pull into the next available parking spot.
Walk back to get a good eye full.
Do your happy dance.
Then continue on your way to spread the news.
Although this may be an unusually early & large riot, expect to see more popping up around the city in the coming weeks. Continue to use caution while driving past these harbingers of spring.
Garden Variety Life 