March Snow

Under a perfect mantle of snow little iris, Spring tulips, daffodils and honeysuckle wait their turn at the light.

Black Jade

Black Jade is a miniature rose both small in size and in leaf and bloom. She is fragrant and very hardy.

Spring is on the Way

Winters in Colorado

Just Joey

Winters in Colorado can be formidable; although, they are not nearly as wet as they used to be.  Still, deep and prolonged cold is to be expected.  This November, for instance, has been the coldest in 200 years. 

As a gardener I know that unseasonably warm temperatures throughout too much of the late fall and winter are not good for most ornamental perennials grown in climates like mine.  However, this year my roses went from 55 degree days to below zero nights in a week’s time.  That is extremely hard on even established roses.  I am concerned about two new roses freshly planted this past spring.  They are Just Joey and Smoke Ring pictured here. 

When the dark and cold of winter set in I think about the many plants nestled below ground that need the cold for proper development.  Bulb plants like daffodils, lilies, tulips, and some iris require the cold of winter to mature and produce lovely shows for the next season.  

Smoke Rings

A Lovely Show

Simplicity is the glory of expression. ... Walt Whitman

Fall Crocus

These are fall crocus.  On their stamen - golden tendrils and tops in the center - is the exotic and precious spice saffron.

Addendum:

In some of the literature that I have read it is said that the saffron is on the stigma.  It is very hard to see so I am attaching a diagram of the flower as a link.

Flower Anatomy

Moving Toward Fall