A Moody Kind of Spring

One minute it's hot, the next it's cold. Welcome to spring in Ohio. Overall, it's been a little colder than usual. But it's hard to compare, because we tend to think about that crazy, warm spring we had last year. That definitely was not the norm. Since I can't depend on the weather to be reliably warm, I make sure to take advantage of the nice days. In other words, housework takes a back seat to yard work and garden exploring. But you know what? That's pretty much always true with me.

Spring is so downright colorful, isn't it? The world blooms in candy colored flowers, with a new sweet surprise showing up every day.

One of my favorite parts of spring is when the fall planted bulbs pop up. Often times, I forget planting them till they appear. And it's always a delightful surprise. I call these checkered lilies, but I know they are really a Fritallaria meleagris.

Pulmonaria saccharata ' Mrs. Moon' is more commonly known as Lungwort. It doesn't make a very big showing, but the spotted foliage and the multicolored flowers make it fun to enjoy. The rest of the summer the foliage fades into decline, but it's small and barely noticeable. 

 I love plants that give me freebies. In other words, plants that seed themselves around are most welcome. Jack Frost brunnera is one of those. I assume they are related to forget-me-nots since they look so similar. Note to self, move this back further into the shade so they don't burn up in late summer as usual. 

 I'll gain more freebies from my hellebores. Seedlings are everywhere this spring, but so tiny that I have no idea which variety is which. I guess I'll find out later on. I'm not sure why this one decided to face up, since most of them face down towards the ground. 

 Of course much of my spring color comes from the addition of candy colored pansies. It's a flower I just can't do without in spring. By spring time, I'm dying to see some color but the frost free date is still too far away for safety. Enter the common pansy, who doesn't mind a bit when the nights get chilly. They just bloom on and on till it gets too hot out. By then, I'll simply swap them out for brightly colored summer annuals. 

 And so it goes. Spring is so easy to love, even though she can be a bit moody. The flowers are ever so welcome after a cold, gray winter, and the green leaves and lawns are a balm for the eyes. Welcome anyway, you moody Miss Spring!