Signs of Spring

It has been a cold, dreary beginning of April, and the weather report suggests that there is no relief in sight.  But cold or not, snow or not, nature is giving tiny glimpses of what is to come.

Iris reticulata cultivar

Another Iris reticulata

Crocuses

Of course, my houseplants can usually be counted on to help chase away the "where the heck is spring already?" blues. Below are a few plants in bloom that make a cheery contrast with the grayness outdoors.

Phalaenopsis Bella TN324 (That's what the tag says)

Columnea variety

Ludisia discolor in bloom, along with the Phalaenopsis from the photo above

Hoya carnosa inflorescence

Hippeastrum 'Red Lion' with a NoId Hippeastrum on the left

Anthurium NoId

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

So where the heck is spring already?

Outdoor Garden, May 19-24: Irises

The bearded Irises (Iris germanica crosses and cultivars) have been putting on quite a show, first the yellows, then the blue/dark blue bi-colors, then the dark purples, and finally the pale purples/lavenders. Here they are in my garden over the past week:

Circle around our street tree, May 19. The yellows had been opening up for about a week at that point.

Same circle, today. The dark and light purples are making their appearance.

Bi-colors by our Birch. (Betula species)

Bed near the front door May 19. Yellow Iris with Alliums and Clematis.

Same bed from a different angle, today. The dark purples are now dominant.

Dark purple, close up. The light hit the flower so that the richness of color can be seen.

Pale lavender Iris, close-up.

I think I also have a few whites near the birch tree that haven't opened yet. They were planted there when the tree was smaller, and there was no shrub bed nearby, so they are kind of hidden. I'm going to be a busy plant lady doing divisions this summer, I think.

As always, click the photographs for larger views.