Columbine Olympia (Aquilegia ‘Olympia’) also called Lapland’s Aquilegia is always the one that blooms first. Way too earlier than the other aquilegias.
Even though it is a low growing variety it has big blooms and lots of them.
I only have this one plant and have been trying to grow more from the seeds but without success this far.
Columbus (Tulipa ‘Columbus’) sure is a very beautiful tulip. This peony tulip has glowing reddish pink color and has a decorative white edge.
This spring has not been a good one for them. The strong rainstorms have beaten the blooms and it has not been an ideal year.
The blooms are also a bit smaller than previously but I guess I am to blame for not giving them enough nutrients.
It will still be few months before dahlias start to bloom up here in the north.
Luckily there are fully grown available in the stores. Bought two of them to the balcony to brighten the day.
Have to admit that only planted few roots this year. Simply do not have good space for them available this season. Last summer was not good for them and most did not have enough time to bloom.
The speed is now staggering. With in a bit more than a week everything has changed.
Suddenly all trees now have leaves and it seems that everything is blooming. Change happens fast up here in the north because summer is short and over in a blink of an eye.
Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) also opened its blooms. I bought it last year from Ikea and was a bit unsure how it will turn out but it seems that all is well.
It has been cooler and rainier up here in the north for the past week and it seems to continue like that.
The good thing is that it keeps the soil moist and gives a better chance for sown seeds to germinate.
Monal (Narcissus ’Monal’) which I planted last year made it through the winter and is now blooming by the lake. It has been a good year for the daffodils and have not lost a single variety.
The Tuolumne Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium tuolumnense) is one of the spring flowers I have.
It seems to like the place which it has been planted to even though the soil is poor and it needs to compete with the grass.
The plant is originally brought to Europe from California but seems to do well up here in the north.
I bought yet another birdhouse and it was immediately occupied by a European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). It have been fun watching them to build a nest with huge enthusiasm.
Though I suspect that they are nesting for the first time since building the nest has not been a very efficient or organized. They are desperately trying to fit too large objects to the birdhouse and seem to get a bit frustrated when that does not work.
The Snowboard (Narcissus ‘Snowboard’) which I planted last year is now blooming. And it is a beautiful white daffodil.
Summer’s first thunderstorm is now on us which leaves good time to write blogs.
Daffodil (Narcissus ‘strike’) is a good looking flower. The structure of the flowers is interesting and a bit unusual.
I just love the different varieties that are available each spring. When it comes to daffodils they are so many.
It is a rainy day up here in the north and time to relax a bit. Past few days have been hectic but most of the spring tasks are now done.
Kiss Me (Narcissus ‘Kiss Me’) has also started to bloom.
I like the gentle yellow color it has and it seems to be a reliable bloomer each year.
