Carol over at May Dreams Gardens is at it again. She has invited gardeners to post about what's blooming in their gardens on the 15th of every month.
The inspiration for Bloom Day was a quote from Elizabeth Lawrence: “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” Now, that may be true in North Carolina where Lawrence lived all her life, but in Minnesota, unless you have houseplants, having something blooming every month is but a dream. And since I am not a houseplant person, I don't have anything blooming - anywhere.
But, there is still beauty in the winter landscape. My submission for the first Bloom Day are these basswood seeds with their "helicopters." They look a little like a sort-of bellflower, don't you think? Okay, maybe I'm reaching, but it's February in Minnesota!
I agree with you. Stretch the definition of "in bloom" when you don't have anything blooming. I included a colorful rose hip in my bloom list because it was just so dang pretty. Though I'm enjoying Bloom Day, there is definitely more of interest in a garden than just flowers.
Posted by: Pam/Digging | February 15, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Yep, even in a so-called warm climate like Texas, the hardscape and evergreens and nice bark on bare branches had better be considered when making the garden.
The Basswood helicopters are arranged so prettily along the branches!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Posted by: Annie in Austin | February 15, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Pam & Annie: I'm just jealous of you guys and your flowers. Actually, there are times when I'm glad we have a season off from gardening - the "dream" season, when it doesn't matter what your garden really looks like, just what it could look like.
Pam: Your rose hip picture is great - as are the others.
Annie: I really liked those helicopters, too. They sort of remind me of a bellflower. (Okay, now that's just wishful mid-winter thinking!)
Posted by: Tracy | February 15, 2007 at 03:38 PM
I really like photos of gardens, woods, or any nature - in any season. Your photo is very interesting. I bet you have even more snowy scene pictures that you should post!
Posted by: Marc | February 15, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Yep, those look like bellflowers to me. We take what we can get in the wintertime! Thanks for participating, and I look forward to what is blooming this spring in Minnesota.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Posted by: Carol | February 15, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Great idea! They definitely look flower-y to me.
Posted by: OldRoses | February 16, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Tracy, I love the idea of the dream season --what a great way to describe winter in the cold north!
Here at Henbogle I'm enjoying the red and yellow twig dogwood, and the dried hyssop, and my living "blossoms" my hens, aptly named Hyacinth, Iris, Poppy, Zinnia, and Marigold!
Ali
Posted by: Ali | February 22, 2007 at 09:18 AM
Marc: Actually, this has been a dismal year for winter pictures until the last two weeks. We didn't get snow until January 1st, and after that we didn't get much at all (a snow drought). However, we've had about 24" in the last 1.5 weeks, so the pictures are starting to pile up.
Carol: I hope it's okay that I fudged the rules! I thought they were pretty, though.
Ali: Yep, it's all garden dreaming now. The reality comes in about 4-6 weeks!
Posted by: Tracy | March 03, 2007 at 05:44 PM