
Though the first half of February has teased us with some sunny, mild, nearly spring like days, it is still winter here, so the floral action is almost all inside in my USDA Zone 5 garden.
One of the stars right now is my row up of hyacinths ‘on vase’, just starting to bloom.
Because of their strong floral scent, you notice them as soon as you enter the house.

In the sunroom Narcissus ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ has started to bloom.

Other blooms in the sunroom include:
Ludicia discolor - Jewel Orchid
Stenosarcos 'Vanguard' - Hybrid variegated leaf orchid,
Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’
Euphorbia milii, Crown of Thorns
Oxalis regnellii triangularis
and more Hyacinths
It’s nice to go in there and enjoy the plants.

Elsewhere inside, the Amaryllis, Hippeastrum ‘Blossom Peacock’ (pictured) sent up a second bloom stalk, as did Hippeastrum ‘Green Goddess’ (not pictured).

The third Amaryllis that I purchased at a big box store had just one bloom stalk topped with a quartet of muddy red blooms. While I know it is easy to pick up amaryllis bulbs at the big box stores, and I often do, I encourage those interested in something different to check out specialty bulb growers.
Outside, a lone snowdrop (Galanthus sp.) presented itself on Thursday and is still blooming valiantly, even though it is alone and it is cold out there.

I hope, I know, it will soon be joined by Crocuses, Irises, Daffodils, and more Snowdrops.
And I’ll be outside with it more in the coming weeks, too, as winter loses its icy grip and spring takes hold in my garden, a place I like to call May Dreams Gardens.
*****
This February starts the third year of Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, a tradition of posting on our blogs about what’s blooming in our gardens on the 15th of each month. For those who have kept up with this tradition from the beginning, you now have two years of bloom day posts to go back to and compare your blooms from one year to the next.
All are welcome to post for bloom day, whether this is your first time or your 25th time, whether you have a garden blog or some other kind of blog.
It’s easy to join in. Just post on your own blog about what's blooming in your garden right now, outdoors or indoors. You can include pictures, lists, common names, botanical names, whatever you’d like to do to showcase your blooms.
Then leave a comment and put your name and a link back to your bloom day post in the Mr. Linky widget, so we know where to find your blog and can visit to see and read about your bloom day blooms.
“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence
Comments
My post is up: http://tinyurl.com/ae37ph
Paula
This month again everything is covered with snow outside, but indoor blooms cheer me up a lot. My Hardy geranium brought home for winter is in bloom again.
To see my post, click my name above.
Ewa
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago!
Never seen such a sweetly coloured double one.
Snow, ice, gales, sleet and rain, but still always something nice if you look out for it. Thanks Carol, for making me brave the freezing temperatures. I enjoyed it once I was outside.b
My FEBRUARY SNOWBALLS are HERE.
We've had major snow and frosts the past week, but today's Blooms Day shows just how tough our late winter flowers can be.
But my blog is in Dutch... and I don't think many of you read that language very fluently, so from this month on, I will publish my post on GBBD both in Dutch and in English...
http://www.annetanne.be/kruidenklets/2009/02/15/garden-bloggers-bloom-day
Frances
Bloom Day - Paper Anniversary
Thank you for three years of trying to keep us all somewhat organized.
I appreciate and so enjoy reading your blog and seeing all those wonderful pictures.
Maria
Congratulations on your third anniversary of GBBD! I realized I just completed a year's worth of Bloom Day posts, and I want to thank you for hosting this every month. It's such an enjoyable meme, seeing everyone's blooms each month, not to mention a great way to keep a record of what is blooming when.
I love your post. Makes me want to do more indoors.
http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2009/02/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-february-2009.html
Thanks to both of you,
P x
My February post is up.
My rather lame post is up. Your flowers are much nicer to look at than my animal footprints in the snow. When is spring?
I love all your blooms, but I think that lonely outdoor snow drop is my favorite. I hope the ones I planted in the fall didn't get eaten by the squirrels that were watching me plant them.
Thanks for BloomsDay! Such a wonderful idea, and so helpful to me because it reminds me to make a record of what's out NOW! Zone 7 is really cooking now!
Happy Bloom Day Anniversary!
There's not much floral action in my Austin garden but there's a post at Annie's Addendum.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Isn't it wonderful that you've had such success with this meme? Congratulations on a 3-year run! I cannot imagine it not being carried on for a long while... as long as you are able to continue it. :-)
Ann
I am so jealous! You have a sun room! The row of hyacinths being forced is so neat. And that amaryllis is just gorgeous! I have a burgundy oxalis very like the one in your picture, I love it because it performs so beautifully all year on the light shelves in the dining room.
Thanks for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Carol. I love having the chance to visit all the other gardeners. It truly is a blessing that there is a place we can reliably come and find each other's posts!
Jan
Always Growing
Jan
Always Growing.
Somehow I've never thought to grow them myself but after seeing yours I feel I need to give them a try.
I have been growing more indoor amaryllis. I bought three this year and I think the last one will open tomorrow--not in time for GBBD.
Here's to your lone snowdrop. Surely it's a sign that your spring is almost here.
Lucky you to have so many lovely hyacinths. I don't have any this year, sad to say.
I adore the 'Grand soleil d'Or'. They'll go on my wish list!
Your Amaryllis is glorious! They're such a treat in winter.
That's one brave little snowdrop :)
Happy Bloom Day!
My Bloom Day post is up. I just got home from Florida tonight, so it's a short one, and different than any previous Bloom Day post I've done.
I HAD to look at these blooms all week. LOL
That's a lot of Hyacinths you have... I have some bulbs in the ground that I planted about 3 years ago. They keep trying to come back each spring but they barely make it. They are putting up leaves right now but the blooms will be weak and limp. I will dig them up this year and store them to see if I can revive them next year in a vase. I guess it never hurts to try.
Your February blooms are just gorgeous. Thank you for inspiring us to enjoy blooms twelve months of the year. I'd never have thunk it in frigid Chicago winters, but it can be done.
Life's just that much nicer with something blooming all the time!
You may know my Mother, Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. She's inspired me to become a gardener too. Must be in the genes :-)
This month flew past and I completely forgot it was the 15th until last night.
You have a lovely array of bulbs and sun room plants. I just don't have the patience for indoor plants so I admire those who do.I particularly admire your Amaryllis Blossom Peacock - what a fine name :)
K
I've learned my lesson. Next year there will be hyacinths and Grand Soleil at the very least at my house.
I think I've visited every blog... I saw lots of blooms outside in gardens to the south of me, and I saw many gardeners like me who have blooms inside and are wistfully looking outside for signs of spring. If I didn't comment on your post, let me know, I tried to get to all of them listed on Mr. Linky.
March ought to be good!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I grew my first ever amaryllis this month!