Fishtail Cottage Garden 2/16/15

I cannot believe that I am sitting here mid February and writing my first garden blog post for 2015!  Our winter has been so mild compared to most of the country, and I am already seeing several blooms appear in the garden beds. It isn’t uncommon for our bulbs to start to show some greenery popping above the soil, but actual blooms this time of year, is a bit early!

The Hellebore are usually the first to make an appearance – which gets the butterflies in my tummy excited for spring! I planted several new varieties in my garden about three years ago and this year is my first time seeing blooms on these plants! If you are new to the Hellebore aka “lentil rose”, these gorgeous plants take approximately two to three years to get established before blooming – also they do not like to be moved once they are planted! They need last years leaves to be removed (about this time of year) to keep disease away and will reseed themselves if left alone.  I generally cut back spent blooms in my garden to keep the area looking clean, but leave the new growth alone as a filler in the garden!

Also blooming this week – is the kaleidoscope of spring crocus! This flower is usually the first to bloom in my garden but this year, it’s amongst several this week!

One of my favorite spring bulbs is the snow drop – I love the unique blooms it brings to the gardens!!

Love seeing the cheerful blooms of Narcissus too – they are smaller than a daffodil, right now here at Fishtail Cottage, I only see the greenery appearing of the daffodils…

Daphne has also began filling the garden with it’s unique and beautiful fragrance! The smell of this bloom is unlike any other, I first planted it because I loved the variegated leaves and the blooms lasted a long time in the spring.  This plant has not disappointed me at all!  The Daphne also does not like to be moved once it’s been planted…so make sure you think about how large it will grow – before planting!

The last of my bloomers I am sharing this week is two of my camellia's that opened up.  Both are close to the house which may be why they opened so early this year!  Camellia is of my favorite evergreen’s I planted in my garden! I planted several different varieties, some even bloom in the dead of winter!

Thanks so much for coming over and taking a peek at my garden blooms this week!  Curious where you are located and what you have blooming (if anything) right now!  I love hearing from my gardening friends all over the world! xoxo, tracie

ps – make sure to follow me on Instagram to see daily garden photo’s!