2015 Spring Flower Pictures
I can't imagine some of the snow haters aren't ready for this one. ;-)
60+ degrees does bring them out...
Unfortunately it also brings out the munchers. I have tulip tops already feeding the wildlife!!! Better run quick over to the cbel garden and see what we can do this year.
GC 
5catmom 
White lake in Hardwick. Spring peepers and pussy willow. Ice melting. Beautiful day
A good day
Was a nice surprise to find these guys in bloom in the sunny corner of the garden last weekend.
And the daffodils have been out since Friday, and I know lots of others around have a full compliment in bloom.
Now if that stinking rotten horrible deer that left a pile of white fur when it jumped the fence and smacked its rear would only stay out of the yard, I may get tulips that actually bloom.
Im a snow hater and loving these pics. Having trouble loading my pic. Will try again later.
botheredbyuu2 
I'll take one:) The rest will follow:) After daffodils, forsythia is my favorite sign of spring:)
Blackcat 
I would think the tulips are what the bees would instantly gravitate to - but not today. A whole bunch of bees are all fighting over the bleeding heart.
Thanks Joyful!! This is right next to what has become a whole grove of poppies in the "Joyful" corner of the garden.
jrsemom 
hktownie 
And dogwood. Next week its getting warmer, should be one of the prettiest weeks of spring!
Just wondering how everyone's butterfly bushes are looking so far. Mine are starting to show a little sign of life.
Iris 
fujixt1 
Very, very, very thankful to the Jeep Girl who exchanged this tree years ago. Can't believe it's finally not only gotten healthy, it's putting up real flowers and not just some buds lucky to open half way.
This was on the ground crying to me this morning - "don't for get me, don't forget me, don't forget me!!!".
Somehow the last two years I hardly saw any. Now this year they're all over??? How does this happen?
jennymc 
Just a couple from a little bit ago........the first flowers to pop up. Was thrilled to finally see color......other then white. ;)
littlelu 
More and more things are going to start blooming now. The columbines have opened up, and irises are right there, in probably a day or two at most for me. Amsonia is not far behind, and the baptisia is probably less than a week away.
Those mini-irises do seem to come up early littlelu.
I predict a banner year for clematis.
joyful Joyful - Thanks as always because they came from you originally. Chickadee has help me fill them in too. How mine opened first, I have no idea. It was just a very happy accident this morning. I went out for something else not thinking about it at all. And there it was.
5catmom - I've hosted the plant exchange in the past but in all seriousness, the yard isn't all that big for a grand "tour". I'll keep posting pictures though. ;-)
MB 
The rain was much needed. The irises were out some, but now they are in full force including these light blue ones that actually have some scent to them unlike many others.
If you can, go to the cbel garden and catch the yellow irises provided by Hopeful In Hackettstown.
Amsonia is half out, and the baptisia is not threatening after the rain. Pictures in full bloom are probably only a week away.
The wild Phlox are blooming along the edge of the road and woods - What a beautiful color.
I saw beautiful purple flowers high in the trees at the edge of the woods - Is it a form of Wisteria? The vine grew very high and spread along the tree tops.
Years ago I bought this "dead" plant on clearance from lowes...here it is about 3 years later. Can someone please tell me what it is
Diane12 
Diane12 - Is it very short and spreading out like a ground cover? Creeping phlox. It blooms in the spring, not later in the summer like the other kind of tall phlox. Mine seems to alternate years of whether it's all over or practically dormant. This year is a better year for it.
Diane12: I think it might be creeping phlox. I, too, like to 'rescue' plants from the clearance racks at Lowes and Home Depot; some live other don't but it's sure worth the try!
Decades ago someone who lived on our property did some amazing landscaping and planting. We are still today reaping the beauty of her work.
Rebecka Thank you thank you so much. It is short and creeping. I love when it first blooms and it's a pretty periwinkle. It has taken over a mulch bed but it's the easiest thing that I've ever planted. I was at mt olive lowes last Monday and bought a bunch of $1 dead flowers on clearance that I planted once home and all but 1 have bloomed.... Love this time of the year
Thanks for taking the poppy pictures, jennymc...the Rose of Sharon Bush in the middle of the poppy flower bed, however, needs to go!
3wbdwnj 
3wbdwnj - Mountain Pinks are usually what you call a perennial form of dianthus, the same species as carnations and sweet william which is annual. They're low to the ground too, but a different plant. Does yours look like this? This is what I've heard called "Mountain Pinks" and comes in quite a few different colors. Mine has started to bloom but I was waiting until it all opened before putting out a picture.
No they do not look like those but I have seen those. Will post a pic later when I leave The Pit. :)
P.S. If anyone would like that lonely little Rose of Sharon Bush in the middle of a poppy patch...Please let me know and it's yours.
Also have loads of packasandra (sp;)...great ground cover if anyone needs some...
3wbdwnj - Definitely what I call creeping phlox. But it's what it is, and a name is just a name no matter how sweet despite where the skunk pees. (sic)
Did I really just say that??
[Due apologies to Mr. Shakespeare]
My dark burgundy irises are out... (he says, clearly changing the subject)
speaking of Iris - it's starting prime season at the Presby Iris Gardens in Montclair
http://presbyirisgardens.org/wordpress/
Thanks again, Jennymc, for posting the bed of poppies They are exceptionally beautiful this year and just in time for Memorial Day!
ladeevee 
Here's another variety in the same zone. The third one I have is slow to open this year.
My amsonia (blue star) has been slowly opening stem by stem and is finally full enough for a picture.
The baptisia is a good 4 feet plus again, but doesn't quite match the 5 feet from last year. This probably will get even fuller in bloom over the coming week or two. The winter was so harsh on the butterfly bush next to it that it's not even a contest at the moment of which one will be taller.
Is it me, or is it pretty well summer?? I'm already seeing buds on the coreopsis (broad leaf kind, not thread leaf), two different salvia are beyond buds and almost opening, and even some butterfly weed looks like it might be budding. Balloon flower and heliopsis are well ahead of schedule.
GC, how wide does baptista get? Mine is on its second year and still pretty small. Its only one plant but I hope where I've put it isnt too small!
3wbdwnj - I have a particularly tall variety called "purple smoke". It's supposed to get about 4' tall which is big for baptisia by itself, but mine is extra big. I tie it up so it doesn't flop over. If it did, it may well be 4'. Tied up, about 2 1/2' or so.
Other kinds of baptisia that are the normal 2' or 3' tall probably are not that wide. If yours isn't the purple smoke then it may well be the size it's supposed to get in the second year. A neighbor a few houses over has a yellow one that's about 2' tall and it's maybe a foot wide. Quite a contrast in size to mine.
Thanks for the info, GC. I'm not sure what variety I have as I picked it up at the MWA last Spring when they sold their perennial divisions. The tag was lost so hoping it doesnt get too big. I'll post a pic soon.
Iris ,It looks like rhubarb. The stalks are edible and have a sour taste but the leaves are poisonous. You can make a rhubarb pie!
janster Janster..I know I didn't plant rhubarb there, I know better 'cus once you plant it, you never get rid of it! I LOVE strawberry rhubarb pie, my favorite!
Yes... and mint can spread quickly.. so be prepared. Speaking of mint. Someone mentioned Pineapple Mint for tea...has anyone grown it or used it for tea and your thoughts?
Thanks Grascal. I would be interested in mint drying technique that people have used. I can look up myself but if someone has a good method let us know.
We plant pineapple sage every year. We love it because it smells so good and it flowers late October! GC: here is a pic of my Baptistlia.
Mint will not only spread, it will push other things out and take over like a ground cover. It's also tough to get rid of if you don't want it any more. Good to grow in a container though.
iris - I was thinking rhubarb as well but wasn't sure based on what looks to be pretty darn big leaves. There is a whole family of tropical plants with similar leaves, but I can't imagine them wintering over last year even if it escaped from an indoor pot.
Your baptisia looks more like what I think most varieties are like for their size.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, are we totally sure it's not summer? It may be a bit sheepish and looking a bit dry, but here is the very first firecracker red day lily to bloom.
3wbdwnj - "baptisia". That definitely looks like the regular kind, not my giant variety. I wouldn't worry about it out growing that spot.
Plus a big big thank you yet again to Hopeful in Hackettstown for this yellow one. Also nicely blooming over at cbel's garden.
Last pic of the day, the cranes bill geranium is now out.
Are we 100% without a doubt and clearly absolutely positively sure beyond question that it's not summer yet? The stinking mercury is telling a whole different story. :-(((
Iris - congratulations, poppies are not easy to transplant. At this point, mine are all almost nearly faded until next year.
Iris...you made my day to see your Poppies survived. If you will recall, at the time you transplanted them we did not know if they would...
I've seen a lot of other people's salvia in full bloom. This one of mine is finally at a point to take a picture.
Today after all the heat of the past couple of days I'm seeing penstemon just opening today, butterfly weed that has gone from buds to orange colored buds probably opening in 2-3 days, and both kinds of coreopsis with buds some looking like they may open in no less than a week.
All that early yet I've got peonies not open while there are loads of them in town that have been open a couple of weeks. How does that happen?
mohepinoke 
That's a beautiful Peony, Iris - It looks like a double petaled Peony. I saw a Peony bud last night and was surprised to see it had opened today. This Peony plant is by Joyful's house.
"Fleabane" - I'm not a fan to say the least. Some call that just a wild flower, I call it weed and treat it accordingly. I've received that mixed in with other plants I transplanted and was not amused. ;-)
iris - Still waiting on mine. However, it looks like my fox glove is really close to opening and that blanket flower is going to be any day. While one or two things are on time or even late, everything else is well ahead of schedule.
littlelu - It would be easier to tell for sure by looking at the flowers and leaves closer up. But I think it might be a white version of the cranes bill geranium. I posted a picture above of the blue one I have. The veins in the flowers would be a clear sign that's what it is.
littlelu: Looks like your peonies are about the same color as mine and blooming about the same time as well. That color pink is so pretty. Thanks again to Jennymc for posting pictures of my plants and flowers on HL.
Iris, that plant above with the large leaves looks more like burdock to me than rhubarb.
If you keep it may form little round burs that stick to everything... then you'll know.
http://www.ediblewildfood.com/burdock.aspx
We love rhubarb too, my mother in law grows it. I have great recipes for rhubarb squares and strawberry rhubarb pie if anyone would like them.
Mindy's Mom Very pretty Mindy's Mom. I would show mine but who wants to see dead flowers.
UGH!!!
catlover1 hktownie: thanks for investigating this weed. I hate those velcro balls, my dog, Sophie, is always getting them stuck in her long fur! I would love those recipes too!
shady Sorry to add recipes to a flower thread!
This is the link to the pie recipe we love-
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/strawberry-rhubarb-pie-recipe
And here are the rhubarb squares, this came from my mothers recipe box so I don't know the original source.
Rhubarb Squares
Set oven to 350
Crust:
1 c flour
1/3 c confectioners sugar
1/3 c butter
Filling:
1 c sugar
1/4 c flour
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
3 c finely chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb (about 1 pound)
For crust, combine flour and conf sugar in a bowl, cut in butter. Press into bottom of 11x7x2 inch pan to form crust, not too hard since you will want to get it out again. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
For filling, combine sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla, stir in diced rhubarb. Pour over warm crust, bake at 350 for 35-40 min longer until wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve with ice cream. Can also serve with strawberries if they are in season.
Yield 16 squares
Store in refrigerator
With the off again, on again rain the peony *finally* decided to open after taking its good old time...
Many other things are now out, a few coreopsis just not enough for a good picture, penstemon, and I really think it must be summer already with lavender. But I got a very pleasant surprise when this showed up.
I had planted it two years ago, didn't flower the first year and didn't see it the second. I thought it was gone. But hold and below, all of a sudden today this tall plant has several stalks, more buds, and this one is wide open. It's maltese cross.
GC thanks for the info on my flower. I will get a close up tomorrow and post it. I think it is just like your blue one, just white.
littlelu - Peachy. There's a house across the corner from me that has several roses just starting to come out. Too much work for me, they need constant clipping and trimming and watering and watching for insects and spraying for fungus and, and, and ...
If you want another picture to compare the white flower, have a look at this and see if it's similar.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/images/products2/PL/20/00/00/43/PL2000004399_card_lg.jpg
In the meantime, here's what the penstemon looks like.
Tomorrow is a great day for gardening - Donaldson's "Perennialfest" 10-6 and Well Spring's Open House 9-5. Celestine's Food Truck at Donaldson's. Cooking Thai with Jay from Pandan/Topo at Well Sweep
Here is the current state of the foxglove.
Joyful, I want to thank you for all the packasandra. here is a before picture of the area. I'll post a picture tomorrow after I finish planting. Thanks again!
You are very welcome, Shady....so nice to meet you. Does not look as if you picture came through this morning of the before area, but will be anxious to see how the area looks after you finish...
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