Blooming March
Trillium kurabayashii
This has to be my favourite woodland plant. 100% increase in flowers over the last year. That means a sum total of.. two. It may take a while to build up a decent clump, but definitely worth the wait.
![Forsythia 001 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Forsythia-001-Wm1.jpg)
Forsythia
For those of us in the UK, this last week has brought Spring sunshine and much needed warmth.
![Narcissus 001 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Narcissus-001-Wm1.jpg)
Narcissus
Everything has come on in leaps and bounds and suddenly the garden is full of daffodils. It is still the miniatures and the species that I look forward to most of all but whatever this (inherited) hybrid is it does have its charms.
![Hellebore 019 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Hellebore-019-Wm1.jpg)
Hellebore (Harvington Reds)
This will surely be the last month I will be showing hellebores, but they haven’t done badly since we started in December. New leaves are now emerging on most of the plants, I hope it means they are establishing themselves on the woodland floor.
![Epimedium 003 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Epimedium-003-Wm1.jpg)
Epimedium x versicolour ‘Sulphureum’
As the hellebores fade, my growing collection of Epimedium have begun to throw up their delicate yellow sprays.
![Muscari 001 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Muscari-001-Wm1.jpg)
Muscari
Grape hyacinths
![Primula 003 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Primula-003-Wm1.jpg)
Primula vulgaris
Wild primroses now carpet the garden. And grow up in the lawn..
![Camellia 004 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Camellia-004-Wm1.jpg)
Camellia (inherited, variety unknown)
![Saxifraga Touran Lime Green 002 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Saxifraga-Touran-Lime-Green-002-Wm1.jpg)
Saxifraga Touran Lime Green
![Erica 004 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Erica-004-Wm1.jpg)
Erica
I’m not a great fan of heathers, but love the depth of colour on this one.
![Butterfly on Erica 001 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Butterfly-on-Erica-001-Wm1.jpg)
Butterflies have no such concern for fashion.
If you look closely you can see this one feeding, drinking up the nectar with its long proboscis.
![Chaenomeles 001 Wm[3]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Chaenomeles-001-Wm3.jpg)
Chaenomeles
![Mahonia 003 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Mahonia-003-Wm1.jpg)
Mahonia
And finally, as has become tradition, this month’s purchase..
![Tulip humilis 'Helena' 001 Wm[1]](https://www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Tulip-humilis-Helena-001-Wm1.jpg)
Tulip humilis ‘Helena’
A diminutive species a mere 15cms high.
Another bulb. And another cage needed to defeat those wretched mice..
Linking to Carol and Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens, where you will find other March bloomers from around the world.
Jessica a lovely collection of beautiful blooms, Frances
Thanks Frances. Spring has come in with a bang over the last few days. I just hope we’ve seen the end of winter now.
That trillium has both stunning foliage and flower colour Jessica – I could look at it all day 🙂
It is a beauty for sure. I’d have more if I wouldn’t have to rob a bank first.
We had an identical Camellia to your reddy/pinky one but it seems to have died. The butterfly is a Comma (from the white mark under the wing)- a success story because their numbers are growing. They hibernate as adults and wake up in March, hence the appearance of your one now:-)
I knew I could rely on you for butterfly ID. Thanks, I didn’t know what it was! The garden seems to be full of butterflies all of a sudden, lots of yellow ones too 🙂
The yellows will likely be boy Brimstones (they also hibernate as adults). The original ‘butter-fly’ 🙂
Thanks CT! There do seem to be many more around this year, I guess the mild winter has helped them. Can’t be bad.
What a lovely selection of spring blooms! Trilliums are so slow to bulk in our garden but worth persevering with seeing their beautiful forms in the spring.
I bought a white one at the same time, but alas that did not survive. I’m thinking of having a go from seed, although I gather they’re tricky.
I like heathers in the right place but I haven’t a right place in may garden
The ones I inherited tumble over the top of walls and look OK, I shall definitely keep them. Although they need a bit of remedial pruning as they’ve got rather untidy.
Your knowledge of flowers really impresses me.
Thanks Cumbrian. I am only just learning about woodland plants, but they are fascinating. It’s their best season right now, before the canopy closes over and robs the understorey of light.
The trilliums seem almost prehistoric I don’t know if it is how they look or their name. The colour of that camellia is beautiful. I have forsythia in the garden… used to hate it but love it now for bringing indoors with a bunch of daffs I have a couple of bunches around the house this morning x
It’s not one of my favourites I have to confess. I just loved the yellow against the wonderful blue sky when we took the picture. I have removed one forsythia shrub already. The survivor stands where a sitting area will one day be..
Lots of lovely blooms, especially your Trillium. We used to have forsythia, but dug it up when the bullfinches were eating all the flower buds, now we just enjoy everyone else’s!
I’d much prefer to have the bullfinches to the forsythia.. so hope they didn’t get the hump!
Finally some well deserved warmer weather for you. The trillium is gorgeous, please show us when it opens. I’ve got bloom envy with all your gorgeous blooms for spring.
All your Spring delights are still to come. Soon… I hope!
I am amazed how quickly the forsythia has emerged in my neck of the woods this year. One day, tight buds – the next day – ‘Pouff! Voila!’ Mind you, we’ve had some smashing sunshine this week. Positively tropical!
It was very warm indeed today. My gardening trousers are falling apart at the knees. Was tempted to get the scissors out and turn them into shorts..
Your photographs are wonderful. The colours on the trillium leaves are amazing!
Thanks Francesca. Those leaves are just wonderful, and look perfect against the brown detritus of the woodland floor. A couple of years ago I never imagined I could get so excited about shade!
I have the same Narcissus as you, I just call them ‘Scruffy Daffs’, I have no idea what they really are. If you can’t eat it I don’t bother to learn it’s name …. I’m a veggie grower through and through 🙂
Scruffy Daffs sounds good to me!
I love all your photos, but especially the top heather one. Do you use a tripod to get such a sharp image?
Thanks Annette. Yes, always use a tripod when we can. Some of these images still took many attempts, low light and breeze being the main issues.
Oh my, such wonderful images. I am very envious – both of your blooms and your photography. Just lovely.
Thank you Dorothy, and welcome to rusty duck.
It’s been a harsh winter all round. We are all ready for a bit of Spring weather now. There’s been an explosion of new growth here in the last week, but it’s way to early to say there will be no more frost.
That Trillium is really stunning! I love the heather too, but for some reason they don’t do well for me. Happy GBBD!
The heathers have been blooming for a couple of months now. It is nice to have the colour in the winter I must admit. I am trying to reduce their height, little by little, they have become rather straggly.
Beautiful photographs! I can remember the first time I ever saw a trillium – what stunning plants they are.
That warm snap bypassed us entirely – we had very cold fog for two days, while two miles up the road – sunshine! Today I have washing out, and actually drying – feels miraculous.
Thanks Rachel. It’s been wonderful today. It’s amazing how soil can go from being totally waterlogged to solid and cracking up in such a short space of time. I could have done with a couple of 48 hour days in the middle of last week. The perils of gardening on clay.
The only word for this…is…spectacular!
I do envy your spring blooms….very beautiful!
And…yes…please follow the trilliums progress…I have never seen such great foliage on one…but, would love to see the flower…
Enjoy your weekend…we are melting….AGAIN!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Well, I just hope you stay melted now! Thanks Linda 🙂
Oooh! Lots of colour, very inspiring 🙂
Thanks Cherie. What a difference a week makes.
Trilliums are very other-worldly aren’t they. A lovely collection is spring flowers.
They are. It really needs a big clump of them to get the full effect, which I saw in a garden in Cornwall last year. One day..
Lovely spring flowers and excellent photos. Is that gorgeous Trillium really early or does it always bloom at this time of the year? Mine are no where near ready to bloom.
I looked back at last year’s March Bloomers and it was out then too, so it must be its normal time.
Beautiful photos of your spring flowers. It’s good to hear that so many are spreading, too. And the photo of the comma is wonderful.
Thanks Wendy. I snapped many photos of the comma. It seemed quite happy to carry on feeding, even with my camera lens stuck in its face!
Trilliums are so exotic looking, wonderful. I love the camellia as well. I’ve got a couple of tiny plants that I’m hoping will do well, both white. You always have such a beautiful selection of flowers, at all times of the year. Your garden really is so full of interest.
If you stood and looked at the garden your overall impression would be of green. And brown. And weeds! The jewels are there but there’s a lot more work to do. I have tried taking cuttings from camellias, to increase my two plants. Dismal failure so far..
Great photos, Jessica – I really need to pull my photography socks up!
Thanks Cathy. I think it’s because I changed the format of the blog and made the photos bigger. Perhaps too big now, there’s no half way house unfortunately.
I read every single word, studied every image – apart from the first one that is! I think I’ve lost my one and only – no sign of it 🙁
Good to see that everything is moving in the right direction Jessica. That’s a very pretty Epimedium – one I’ll need to look out for. Happy Bloom Day 🙂
I lost a white Trillium, despite having protected it (above ground) with a chicken wire cage. A real bummer because it was lovely. And expensive.
Epimediums were my obsession last year, still are. Hard to resist when I see them at plant fairs.
i can’t believe all that beauty is around you already!!! my hellebores are just barely peeking out of their dead debris. In fact, I’m so starved for spring blooms that i broke down today and KNIT some. (That’s desperate, my friend!)
Given how skilled you are I’m sure they are perfect. And practical too… nothing eats them (well, maybe Freddy) and you can enjoy them all through next winter!
Oh your garden is full of beautiful flowers. Like you heathers are not my favourite but the bumble bees love them and it was a source of food before other things had really started.
The bumble bees do love them, they were buzzing all round when I took the picture.
Fabulous photos ! I love the forsythia against that blue, blue sky! The Trillium is spectacular, there is something very special about them as they are so fleeting.
I love trilliums. Maybe if I were to get one new one a year that wouldn’t be overly excessive?
It looks as though spring has arrived in your garden! The colors look so fresh, especially the forsythia and narcissus. I don’t know if triillium would grow here because our climate is so dry, but I love the woodland look of the plant. Bulb season is just finishing up here, and I’m anxiously waiting for the roses and clematis to come in to bloom. Happy Bloom Day!
You are well ahead of us Dorothy. I’ve only just pruned the roses, so it will be awhile yet. I shall look forward to seeing yours!
What a wonderful collection of blooms for March. I love native primroses, so delicate looking, simple and pretty.
They are beautiful aren’t they. The Devon banks are beginning to turn pale yellow now!
Everything looks beautiful! Here’s hoping for a trillion trilliums next year! xx
Thanks Amy. I’d happily have a trillion trilliums, but the garden might look a bit boring for the rest of the year!
One bonus of catching up with posts later on is that I get to read all the comments as well – interesting to read that you use a tripod to get your splendid photos – it takes perseverance to get really good shots, a quality you’ve obviously got in spades! Epimedium flowers are so tiny but really pretty, never noticed that until recently … and, whooops!, there’s a plant fair coming up at Wisley soon!
Oooh, I do miss living close to Wisley. Luckily there’s a Spring plant fair at Rosemoor too..
I don’t enjoy the faffing about with the tripod, especially if you have to get to inaccessible places, but it does make a difference.
Sp pleased you’ve increased the picture size; it makes such a difference. They look absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Very envious of the Trillium and if you’re very lucky you might have three next year. x
Last year the Trillium kept going quite a while.. you may get to see it? Although Ptolemy has found it already, so maybe not. It could work for you, they like shade.
Lovely pics. I have a trillium which has managed two flowers over three years, very slow but still a thrill
They do seem to be very slow growing. I am tempted to try seed. It may also take a while, but the chance of building up a decent clump.
Your spring garden looks lovely, Your two Trillium kurabayashii are beautiful, a bit of patience and they will soon get lots of babies 🙂 I bought a Trillium grandiflorium a few weeks ago, I hope it will spread a bit quicker than my cuneatums have done, but in 10 years I now have a good size clump.
Your double narcissus are lovely, every year I see them on people’s blogs and think I will buy some in the autumn – and then I forget about it.
Thanks Helene. I am the same with dwarf irises, every year I forget!
Oh, trillium…my absolute favorite. Ours, too, seems to take forever to establish, but I love them so much. We seem to be about on the same schedule with our blooms, and I’m anxiously awaiting the species tulips I planted in the fall. Beautiful photos! Happy Bloom Day to you!
Hi Julie, thanks and welcome to rusty duck.
I have a feeling there will be more trillium introductions, they are rather hard to resist!
Lovely shots! That trillium is very nice. Love the foliage on that one and the deep color on the flowers are so decadent. Still snow lingering here and unusually cold. The birds have begun to come back.
Soon it will warm, I hope.
The birds usually gauge it pretty well, I hope you get some warm weather too. Soon! It’s been a long hard winter for you guys.
Wonderful spring impressions – I love the trillium, whereever I see it.
Sigrun
Hello Sigrun, thanks and welcome to rusty duck.
I think trillium and hellebore are the highlights of my year, perhaps also because they arrive at the start of it and there’s so much more still to come!
I’ve enjoyed catching up on developments in your garden in early March. I’m envious of the variety of plants and quality of photographs. So much to appreciate this season with the promise of more to come, despite battles with your visiting creatures!
Thanks Linda. It’s my favourite time of year for just that reason. The promise of more to come, not the creatures!
O wow, so much bloom in your garden already! So great you have Trillium. That blue sky was really something after the grey and wet winter wasn’t it? I enjoyed it as well. Saxifraga in bloom already? Amazing! Love the variety in your garden. I wish…. but I have to do with what wants to thrive here and that isn’t much I’m afraid. Still I’m very happy with every little flower that appears 😉
Marian
It’s been an awful winter Marian. Mild yes, but very grey and wet. And stormy. Every little bit of blue sky helps a lot! It won’t be long before I am envying your roses again. They don’t do well for me at all.
What a woodland delight you are building…so many gorgeous blossoms to delight my tired eyes….just shows how a little sunshine brings them on. Oh you poor thing, fancy having to build cages for your bulbs….those mice eh….xxx
Those WRETCHED mice..
Hi Jessica -my woodland walk at the cottage is definitely a few weeks behind you. Probably because we are so much further north. We were up there this last weekend and I have a few primroses, daffodils and crocus out but everything else is just on the verge of opening up or just pushing through the surface. I spent all day Saturday grovelling around in the undergrowth uncovering lots of new shoots and reducing the amount of pink campion (and yes sometimes you can have too much!)
You have lovely pictures – my Camelia is an unknown pink one too!
Pink campion is very good at seeding itself around… I’ve removed loads!
That trillium is exquisite in every way! I just love it. Thank you for the beautiful spring flower photos. It gives me hope! This has been the longest, coldest winter in decades and it’s hard to believe spring will ever come. -21C this morning, and another 10 cm of snow on the way tomorrow. Much as I like winter, I’ve had enough. This post was a breath of fresh air!
I’ve only experienced that sort of temperature while on holiday in Scotland one year (-24C) and I know you’ve had it a lot lower than that. It’s time for Spring now. I hope your garden plants are similarly tenacious.
I really like the detail in your photographs. That Saxifrage is a beauty and I’ll have to look for it. The full screen display is great for showing off the flowers.
Hi jw, thanks and welcome to rusty duck.
The Saxifrage is a plant best appreciated through close inspection, I love the red flecks in the buds which I hadn’t noticed until this year. By lucky chance I put it on the top of a wall, at eye level, and I go back to it time and again!