Harbingers of Spring

In a nursery situation, the arrival of spring is typically somewhat ahead of "mother nature". I always find it thrilling to see the Hellebores and Primroses begin to strut their stuff.

Here's a couple of cool plants to whet your appetitie for the season that lies just ahead of us.

The genus Primula, or Primrose, is one among a few that originally initiated my interest in perennials. Its abundance of forms and brilliant colours intrigued me.

Here's a form of P. x pubescens, albeit out of "forcing" conditions for various trade shows we participate in during January through March. This is the plant that caused the "craze" during the Victorian age in England. For more details, see my article in a 2005 issue of The Epic Gardener.



















Here's P. 'Silver Lace Black' already showing some blooms. A January-thaw encouraged this early display.














Here's to dirt under your nails.