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Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – March 2015

March 15, 2015 By Carol Michel 56 Comments

Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ 

Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for March 2015.

Wow.  Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in Central Indiana, the last few days have  left me nearly breathless as I run around the garden taking pictures of blooms in the front and in the back.

In the front, a few solitary blooms of Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ showed up yesterday.  I planted these several years ago and they seem to be thinning out a bit.  I hope a few more show up.

They can join this dark purple Iris reticulata, which I planted last fall.

Iris reticulata 

Unfortunately, I don’t know what variety this is because it came in a bag of “assorted irises”.

Out in the back garden, I have nice stand of Iris reticulata ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’.

Iris reticulata ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’

But the irises aren’t the star of the garden right.

That honor goes to the crocuses blooming in the back lawn and the front flower beds.

There are thousands of them.

And they are attracting bees.

I know for a fact and from personal experience if you sit for a minute or two in the lawn surrounded by all the crocuses you will not only hear the buzz of bees, you will also feel them buzzing around you.

I am amazed at how quickly both the crocuses and the bees showed up in my garden.

But they are not alone.

I’m also enjoying all the snowdrops.

Galanthus sp.

I am happy to see I have clumps of snowdrops, and not just the one or two that showed up in February.

And I’m happy to be smelling the sweet scent of witch hazel, Hamamelis vernalis, wafting across the garden.

Hamamelis vernalis

And that’s March here at May Dreams Gardens. We are off and running with blooms all over the place.

What’s blooming in your garden on this mid-March day? We’d love to have you join in for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and show us.  It’s easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what’s blooming in your garden and then come back here and leave a comment telling us about your blooms, then add the url to your bloom day post to the Mr. Linky widget below so we can easily find you.

Remember… as Elizabeth Lawrence once wrote, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year”.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garden bloggers bloom day

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cerberus German shepherds says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:16 am

    Happy Bloom Day, and thanks once again for hosting bloom day…I love your iris'. I had planted some in the past and today when I went looking for them, all I saw was a wild pig..(not joking). My crocus are blooming but I didn't get the opportunity to shoot them today while they were open…love to yours grouping up…makes me think mine will eventually become more numerous..I hope spring will stay as it has been today….

    Reply
  2. Rainy Day Gardener says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:21 am

    Happy GBBD Carol! Oh your crocus lawn project has turned out delightfully! How cool that the bee's and blooms arrived at the same time! While we've had more mild weather, the only bee's out thus far are the queen honeybee's. It's just a matter of time though. Cheers!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:52 am

    Your iris and galanthus are dutiful. I'm envious of northern gardeners and their gorgeous witch hazels–can't grow those in Central Texas! Thanks for hosting GBBD.

    Reply
  4. outlawgardener says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:08 am

    Now begins the wonderful succession of blooms that make up the carnival of the growing season! Your iris are gorgeous and the thousands of crocus in your lawn must be heavenly to experience live! Thanks again for hosting & happy GBBD!

    Reply
  5. HELENE says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Thanks for hosting the GBBD meme Carol, your spring garden looks wonderful with all the crocuses! This time of year there are flowers everywhere I turn in my garden, I just love spring 🙂

    Reply
  6. Ruth @ Camellia Rose says

    March 15, 2015 at 6:22 am

    Enjoy your lovely spring blooms!

    Reply
  7. rusty duck says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:23 am

    How quickly Spring springs in your part of the world! Love the crocuses, they always make a magnificent sight when planted en masse. It is colouring up here nicely now too.
    Happy Bloom Day and thanks for hosting Carol.

    Reply
  8. Anna says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:18 am

    Oh now your beautiful show of crocuses are what I'm aiming for Carol but I've got a long way to go 🙂 Your bees must be dizzy with delight. Thanks as always for hosting and a most Happy Bloom Day to you.

    Reply
  9. VP says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:50 am

    I love I. 'Katherine Hodgkin'. I'm meeting up with Victoria today to go round a garden which opens for the National Gardens Scheme. She also has some 'Katherine Hodgkin' spare, which she is giving to me 🙂

    I can't think of a better thing to do for Blooms Day than to meet up with a garden blogging buddy 🙂

    Happy Blooms Day everyone!

    Reply
  10. joanna uk says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:16 am

    That 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'is a wonderful azure shade of blue. I will look our for tht this autumn.

    Reply
  11. theblooominggarden.wordpress.com says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I love your early Spring flowers. Than you for hosting again Carol It is a lovely meme.

    Reply
  12. Rose says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Love all your iris reticulata, especially 'Lady Beatrix'–my favorite shade of blue. You're way ahead of us here, Carol; I'm still waiting for a single crocus bloom.

    Reply
  13. Erica Smith says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    Wow, you have a lot of flowers! I am still in snowdrop-only territory, alas. Thanks for hosting – it'll be great to browse everyone's blooms!

    Reply
  14. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Oh Carol…how your gardens are so alive with spring delight! The crocus and iris are wonderful as your garden comes out of its sleep. We are trying to catch up with you here on Long Island and the bulbs are now just breaking ground and showing themselves. Your gardens and photos give lots to look forward to. Thank you for hosting and Happy GBBD!

    Reply
  15. bookworm says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Happy GBBD, Carol. Nothing blooming outdoors yet in my area of upstate New York (that I know of). Your post gives me hope for spring. Alana – Ramblinwitham.

    Reply
  16. Beth at PlantPostings says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Thanks for hosting, as always, Carol! Yay for spring-flowering bulbs!

    Reply
  17. Rock rose says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Spring is such a beautiful time. Something new to see everyday. Thanks for hosting Carol.

    Reply
  18. Unknown says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:01 pm

    I'm sure these beauties popping up all over the place are a welcome sight. Glad to hear the bees are also enjoying it!

    Reply
  19. WashingtonGardener says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    Your iris are much ahead of mine! Cannot wait to have some blue in my garden and for spring to finally get here. Happy gardening all!

    Reply
  20. Kris Peterson says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    I'm glad to see you've broken free of the deep freeze and that spring is taking hold! Thanks, as always, for hosting, Carol.

    Reply
  21. Les says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    And like a light switch flipped on in a dark room – suddenly it is spring. Happy GBBD to you Carol, and thank you once again for making it happen.

    Reply
  22. Pauline says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    So glad that spring has arrived for you, your bulbs are so beautiful, I'm not surprised that the bees are enjoying your crocus, having so many must keep them very happy!

    Reply
  23. Unknown says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Your irises are looking great! I'm still waiting on mine to bloom and I'm being extra patient since all of mine are pass-alongs that I got from neighbors and planted last year. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  24. ks says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Happy Bloom Day to all, hope our friends in the snow belt dig out soon !

    Reply
  25. Covegirl says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    Lovely Iris and crocus!

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Spring just bursts out suddenly, doesn't it? It's the time when gardeners spend their time with their noses pointing to the ground, though, as all the flowers are about six inches above it. Super irises – love Katharine Hodgson. I was told that they wouldn't like our heavy clay soil, so we've got hellebores at the moment and the glorious scent of daphne.

    Reply
  27. danger garden says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Spring in Indiana is shaping up nicely, and your iris have me seriously considering adding a few, thanks!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Thanks for hosting. Doesn't Lady Beatrix Stanley look stunning?

    Reply
  29. Pam's English Garden says

    March 15, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Happy Bloom Day, Carol. Sorry I don't yet have any blooms to show, but I entered anyway. Your flowers are a salve for sore winter eyes. P. x

    Reply
  30. Nina says

    March 15, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Love the iris reticulata – must remember it for next year. Have linked (I hope)to my UK zone 8b garden with hellebores, narcissi and bergenia

    Reply
  31. LINDA from Each Little World says

    March 15, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    Very springlike weather, but not much actually happening yet. Certainly nothing like your garden this month.

    Reply
  32. Megan says

    March 15, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Loving the Iris reticulata 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
    Happy Blooms!

    Reply
  33. Unknown says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Oh yum yum yum! Gorgeous flowers ! The Iris Reticulata are gorgeous and I don't know 'lady Beatrix Stanley' but I will certainly be looking out for her as she is a beauty!

    Reply
  34. Jean Campbell says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    The Irises are beautiful. I've always wanted a bunch of Tommies planted in a heart shape in the lawn but it hasn't happened. I am inspired. Thanks for Bloom Day.

    Reply
  35. Angie says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Pretty little spring blooms. I smiled at the thought of sitting on the lawn right now, do that here and I'd end up with a rather soggy bottom!
    Happy Bloom Day and thanks for hosting Carol.

    Reply
  36. Stickfigure Gardening, Leonardo de Stickfigure says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Hello to another Bloom Day and all the nice pics from fellow garden bloggers. I really enjoy looking at all those beautiful flowers of yours.

    Reply
  37. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    Dear Carol, thank you very much for 'inventing' GBBD! There are bloggers in Germany, too, that blog on Blooms Day. And I have just joined this group.

    Reply
  38. Kathy says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    I had a 10-inch wide strip of bare soil and crocus shoots were poking up in it, but we got another inch of snow today, so my little patch is buried.

    Reply
  39. Danielle Bedics-Arizala, The Magic Garden says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    The Lady Beatrix Stanley iris is amazing. Thank you for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

    Reply
  40. Amy@SmallSunnyGarden says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:10 am

    I. "Beatrix Stanley" looks particularly lovely! And those crocuses are heartwarming. So glad to see spring is finally moving northward… Enjoy 🙂

    Reply
  41. Anonymous says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:31 am

    Carol, I'm envious of all your blooms. My Maine garden still sits under more than a foot of snow (and more fell today). I hope to see Iris reticulata and crocus blooms in my garden for bloom day in April. -Jean

    Reply
  42. MulchMaid says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:47 am

    So glad to hear you are finally having a spring! The weather has been much more clement out here in Portland, so many plants are a full month ahead. Thank you for Bloom Day!

    Reply
  43. Toni W says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:39 am

    Beautiful crocuses and witch hazel. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  44. John says

    March 16, 2015 at 3:40 am

    Wow! I'm very impressed that you are so far ahead of our Maryland garden. We're just now seeing a few crocus and no iris in bloom yet. And we're supposed to be a 7A garden!

    Anyway, enjoy the springtime — we earned it.

    Reply
  45. Andrea says

    March 16, 2015 at 7:26 am

    We have blue iris growing here in the tropics, looking the same but long stalks and lots of leaves unlike those in the temperate climates like yours. I wonder if that is another species or variety. The shorter ones like yours are much better.

    Reply
  46. Hannah says

    March 16, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Your Irises are lovely, I don't grow reticulata so it will be a while until my bearded irises bloom. Spring arrived early on the west coast so I'm getting blooms on the trees 3 weeks or more early. I'm not sure the bees are out enough for pollinating, though. Happy Spring!

    Reply
  47. Unknown says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Southern Indiana finally has some spring like weather. Plants are responding accordingly. Almost makes me forget this past winter… almost.

    Reply
  48. Donna says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:15 am

    How wonderful for you Carol to have all the blooms….here in the NE we are still cold, snowy and covered with at least 2 ft of snow still….spring blooms will be delayed by weeks it appears.

    Reply
  49. Lady of LaMancha says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    LOOOVE your iris reticulata. Never knew there are so many varieties. I really need to give those a try.

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  50. Wife, Mother, Gardener says

    March 16, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    You have so much blooming, Carol! It gives me hope that we are not too far behind…

    Reply
  51. Christopher C. NC says

    March 17, 2015 at 12:08 am

    Would you believe I was so busy in the garden on a sunny spring day I plum forgot it was Bloom Day until this morning.

    Reply
  52. Dee Nash says

    March 17, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Just got my bloom day post up. Carol, I loved your description of sitting near the crocus flowers and hearing and feeling the wings of the bees. Wonderful!~~Dee

    Reply
  53. Eric Teske says

    March 17, 2015 at 2:38 am

    I've got squat! Do bulbs come in slower their first year? I have some crocus shoots about an inch tall in Indiana and now I'm super jealous of everyone's blooms! 🙂

    Reply
  54. Linnae says

    March 17, 2015 at 4:03 am

    Happy Bloom Day! This is my first spring with Iris reticulate, and I am loving them! It probably helps that purple is my favorite color.
    I hope you can get a picture of your whole lawn–I would love to see the ocean of crocuses!

    Reply
  55. Anonymous says

    March 18, 2015 at 6:16 am

    Oh, to have a lawn of blooming crocuses! How fantastic!

    Reply
  56. Unknown says

    March 21, 2015 at 3:57 am

    I love the crocuses in your lawn, we used to do the same thing when we lived in Los Angeles, 30 years ago. Now we are lawn-free and loving it!

    I've been planning to join the monthly Bloom Day for close to a year, and have finally dragged myself out of the garden and kitchen long enough to get a post up. I'm looking forward to visiting the other participant's gardens and making a new friend or two.

    Many thanks, Carol, for hosting!

    Victoria
    http://www.gardencooktravel.com

    Reply

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