Late yesterday afternoon, we had to rush our sweet kitty Regis to the vet for emergency bladder stone surgery:
shown above wrapped in a pink boa
Thankfully, he is recovering nicely today (tho still in the hospital) so now I can share some far less stressful news. Blooming a full ten days earlier they did in 2010 ~ the winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis)!
If you don't have this tiny bulb planted in your garden, I highly recommend adding it. Last year, it even beat the snowdrops to bloom!! I discovered it while searching for early bloomers several years ago and am so glad I did. Anything to add color to the winter landscape and speed up spring, right?
This little bulb is an heirloom, dating back to the 1500's. It's kind of cool to think I have something growing in my garden that's been around so long.
One thing for sure, now that I know about it, I'll never be without it.
VERY pretty!
Posted by: Victoria | February 23, 2011 at 02:20 PM
I hope to see my aconites soon and I hope they have naturalized a bit more...I did not realize they have such history...I think I love them more now
Posted by: Donna | February 23, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Poor kitty, glad he is doing better.
Pretty yellow, pure and sunny!
Posted by: Janet | February 23, 2011 at 07:52 PM
So sorry to read about Regis. I hope he recovers quickly...that is very stressful. Gorgeous blooms and very welcome this time of year
Posted by: Dana | February 23, 2011 at 08:19 PM
I'm glad the kitty is healing nicely. What a stressful time for him and you. I like the aconite blooms. I notices one blooming in my garden recently. I'm wondering where all of its friends went to:( I hope they show up.
Posted by: tina | February 24, 2011 at 06:24 AM
I love Eranthis and have got a pale yellow one this year to add to my more traditional variety
Posted by: Helen | February 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Kathleen, I am so sorry your sweet kitty has been ailing. We love our fur babies and it's so hard when they're starting to feel ill and can't tell us where it hurts.
The Eranthis is lovely and how nice that you have its sunny blooms to cheer you all up, just when you needed it!
gail
Posted by: Gail | February 24, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Poor Regis! That can be a very serious condition. He looks like a doll with his pink boa.
You've reminded me that I must order aconites. Those shiny yellow petals are so cheery. And the more early blooming things the better!
Posted by: Sweetbay | February 24, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Hey Kathleen, in your post from January 31st, 2010, I see a white terrarium type plant case sitting on the floor, and I am looking for just such a case. But I don't even know how to search for it, because I can't figure out what to call it! Where did you get yours?
Posted by: RobinL | February 24, 2011 at 07:43 PM
An heirloom bulb from the 1500s -- how wonderful! The flowers and your photos are so pretty. Who can be blue with that cheery shade of yellow around?!
Posted by: PlantPostings | February 24, 2011 at 08:26 PM
very beautiful. There is similar kind of aflower in Japan
Posted by: minor | February 25, 2011 at 04:08 AM
Eranthis sounds like a winner! I hope your kitty is feeling better! I’ve awarded you the Stylish Blogger Award – you can visit Garden Sense to learn more. If you’d rather not participate, no problem. But I hope more people will discover your great blog!
Posted by: Garden Sense | February 25, 2011 at 06:26 AM
Glad to read that Regis is doing better. I love the images of the winter aconites - I always wondered what they were called!
Posted by: Kala | February 25, 2011 at 01:10 PM