1st Spring flower of 2011 A Yellow Crocus

The 1st spring flower of 2011 has opened up in the bright sunshine along the southern side of the house foundation today, despite low temperatures in the single digits and low teens the past few nights. The only protection I’ve been providing are some old blankets laid gently over the top at night. My flowers did not come out unscathed from this cold snap. On March 22nd 23rd they were buried under 8 inches of snow without protection and a low of 8.F, I thought for sure they were done in for the year, but the sun quickly melted away the snow away from the house, and they looked well, so I began putting cover over them at night. This is not the earliest Crocus bloom I have even had on my property, last year I had Crocus blooming by March 24th, and the only reason for the early bloom this year is because I planted earlier blooming crocus. I also have white colored crocus and purple crocus which is near blooming on the same side of the house. It is just Yellow is known for being the earliest.

Daffodils March 27th

These daffodils have been progressing very nicely even with the cool sunshine we’ve had the past few days the south side of the house can warm up much warmer then anywhere else in my yard. To show an idea how much later they are this year. Last year this time, this same patch of daffodils was 2 days away from blooming, and this year they are only 2 inches tall and are not even close!

Another view of some daffodils down the line slightly.

I will admit it is odd having daffodils this tall with 8 inches of snow on the ground everywhere, but it is a nice reminder that Spring is still on the way! With a warm up expected in the next few days I’m sure these will be progressing even more. I say bring on spring and warmth, I am more then ready!