The Emergence of Spring at My Farm

March 3, 2017

It’s wonderful to see the gardens transform this time of year.

Here at the farm, we had a brief stretch of warm, springtime weather. Earlier this week, beautiful blooms began erupting with vibrant color. It’s always nice to see nature come to life again - crocuses, snowdrops, daffodils, and even my beautiful tulips are now peeking through the soil. Soon, the grounds will be covered in carpets of colorful warmth - I can't wait. Here’s a glimpse of the flowers that are blooming in my gardens now… what flowers are blooming in yours?

Enjoy these photos.

: Crocus is among the first flowers to appear in spring, usually in shades of purple, yellow and white.

: Here are some white crocuses. They only reach about two to four inches tall, but they naturalize easily, meaning they spread and come back year after year.

: Here are purple, white, and yellow croci. Crocus is a genus of flowering plants in the iris family made up of about 90-species of perennial plants.

: Snowdrops are another sure sign of spring. Snowdrops produce one very small, pendulous bell-shaped white flower which hangs off its stalk like a “drop” before opening.

: There are bunches of snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, in various beds around the farm. These flowers are perennial, herbaceous plants, which grow from bulbs.

: The daffodil border that stretches along one side of my farm has been growing rapidly. There are several varieties planted here – all in large groupings, providing a stunning swath of color when in bloom.

: The original daffodil border was begun in 2003. It now stretches all the way down from my Summer House, past the stable, and ending at the Japanese maple grove.

: In my daffodil border, I planted early, mid and late season blooming varieties so that when one section is done blooming, another is just opening up.

: Eranthis, or winter aconite, is a genus of eight species of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae – the Buttercup family.

: Winter aconite produces such cheerful yellow flowers that appear in late winter or earliest spring. And, they are deer resistant.

: These are ‘Natascha’ miniature iris – a lovely ice blue in color. They bloom in early spring and grow to about four to six inches tall.

: The blooms have a very light and subtle violet-like scent. Irises come from a vast genus of plants, but nearly all show the recognizable iris flower form – three standard petals and three hanging outer fall petals.

: Remember my amazing bed of tulips? This year’s tulips are already peeking through the soil and mulch top dressing. I can’t wait to see all their beautiful colors.

: These tulips are already several inches tall.

: The witch-hazel is also blooming nicely. It grows as small trees or shrubs with clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers.

: Witch-hazel is great for splashes of winter color. They’re very hardy and are not prone to a lot of diseases.

: Witch-hazel is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae. Most species bloom from January to March and display beautiful spidery flowers that let off a slightly spicy fragrance.

: Most are familiar with witch-hazel as a medicinal plant. Its leaves, bark and twigs are used to make lotions and astringents for treating certain skin inflammations and other irritations.

: Witch-hazel works well as a natural remedy because it contains tannins, which when applied to the skin, can help decrease swelling and fight bacteria.

: Witch-hazel flowers consist of four, strap-like petals that are able to curl inward to protect the inner structures from freezing during the winter.

: We planted this young witch-hazel specimen just last year.

: And look at what’s perched in this witch-hazel – a bird’s nest.

: This is red sedum. Sedum does really well growing along stone walkways and even between the crevices in stone walls!

: I first planted sedum in walls many years ago at my home on Turkey Hill in Connecticut. Most sedum has a trailing nature – I love how it cascades down the side of this wall outside my Winter House.

: Here are some hellebore flowers beginning to open. Hellebores come in a variety of color and have rose-like blossoms. It is common to plant them on slopes or in raised beds in order to see their flowers, which tend to nod.

: Hellebores are members of the Eurasian genus Helleborus – about 20 species of evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. They blossom during late winter and early spring for up to three months.

: Hellebores are widely grown for decorative purposes because of their love for shady locations and resistance to frost.

: The tree peonies are also beginning to bud. Once these are in bloom, they will have an abundance of flowers.

: This is Petasites growing behind my tropical greenhouse. Petasites is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. They are also known as butterburs and coltsfoots.