the hardy primulas

have given me hope on this gray January day.  Or maybe it was the break in the weather ~ when our temperatures rose into the 40's and melted enough snow to make them visible???  No matter which, I'm currently floating around on a little nirvana cloud having seen the first signs of spring in the garden.  Compliments of the primula family.  I have quite a little collection of them and right now I'm mighty happy about that accomplishment.  Primulas vialli, japonica & polyantha are all still buried under a blanket of snow.  However, I discovered Primulas denticulata, auricula and veris are not.  In fact, one of the primula auriculas is about to bloom??  Can that really be so?

Please tell me I'm not seeing things (or seeing only what I want to see!) That IS two buds about to unfurl, don't you think???  Even if they don't open until Feb 1st it would be the earliest date ever in my garden and that's astounding.  Considering how harsh (and long) our winter has been to date.  Wonders never cease.  Primula denticulata buds are popping up too where the snow has receded.

I feel like I've received a BIG unexpected bonus since I didn't anticipate finding any life in the garden just yet  ~ I had simply walked out to appreciate the little patches of green grass starting to peek thru the holes in the snow (even grass is a big deal when you haven't seen it for three months!)  When I happened upon the primula auricula bud, you have to know what happened next, because I'm sure you do it too ~ every patch of ground that wasn't encased in white was examined!  :-) 

That's when I discovered Primula veris (started from seed last spring) still very much alive and ready to spring to life on the first warm day:

I'm hoping they'll bloom for me this spring ~ they're one of my very favorite wildflowers:

 

See why?  The flowers are so dainty and pretty floating above the graceful stems.  That's not all tho, look what else I found:

 

A little columbine!  Woo hoo.  I think spring is about to be sprung!  Think it's too early to get out my gardening clogs??!!

Comments

[MNGarden]

When the temp zoomed up to 53 degrees it felt like spring to me. Looks like the plants felt it also.

[RainGardener]

Hooray Kathleen - how exciting! Sure look like little buds to me.
I just realized the little violas or johnny jump ups that bloomed all last year even through a few feet of snow are not showing off this year. Maybe they do better in snow than rain!
I have, however, seen buds and one Hydrangea has loads of new leaves on it. Whoopie!!!

[Sweet Bay]

Buds already? that's amazing! Is your Primula veris fragrant?

[Janet]

Nice description of some of the Primula family. I have some of the tall ones in my wildflower garden. Tiny signs of spring are wonderful aren't they?

[Catherine]

I'm so glad you're seeing signs of Spring! I remember you mentioning starting those Primroses last year, I can't wait to see them in bloom too.

[tina]

Nope, not too early at all. Get those clogs out and get ready to get busy!

[Joy]

Kathleen .. aren't we in the same grow zone girl ? how come you get to see this and I have no hope at all for weeks and weeks yet ?? how is your Maypop ?? .. I do love the primula and columbine (columbine is so delicate and pretty too !) .. I just know I won't see anything like this in my garden ;-( BIG sigh !!

[Marnie]

Wow! It is awfully early.

It's anybody's guess what's going under all the snow here. We just can't get rid of it.
Marnie

[Noelle (azplantlady)]

Don't you just love how there are signs of spring in the middle of winter? As long as you know where to look that is :-)

[Helen]

I am looking forward to seeing my Primulas appearing again

[Frances]

Oh I'm so happy that you have those signs of spring, Kathleen! What a nice collection of Primulas. We got one auricula to germinate out of two packets of seeds. It is soooooo tiny, I hover over it with good thoughts, grow grow grow...
Frances