Lovely Surprise

We moved into our house last May, so even though we’re coming up on a year now, this is our first early spring here. I didn’t do any landscaping last year, first because I wanted to see what was already here, and then because I got laid off. Plants and landscaping materials are not cheap. Plus, there is quite a bit of greenery here already: it’s not like I was completely bereft of botanicals. Maybe this year I can start gardening in earnest. I’d really like to plant a few currant bushes, and some ostrich ferns.

I love spring flowers, the ephemeral wildflowers and the garden bulbs alike. I have long admired the look of lawns in the springtime with crocuses scattered throughout. Crocuses have slender green leaves that blend in with grass and are unharmed by the mowing that comes later in the season. And they offer such cheerful little bursts of color popping out of the drabness. I had planned on planting some in our lawn here, but I didn’t have the cash last fall, so never got to it.

There are a few little patches of snow around, and I had to scrape ice off my windshield yesterday morning, but we are moving solidly into muck season. If the sun ever comes out, this might be the weekend I rake. Imagine my delight yesterday when I noticed purple and blue crocuses smiling up at me from my very own front yard! A previous owner must have had the same idea about putting them right in with the grass. Seeing what plants appear is definitely one of the fun things about being in a new house.