Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - January 2017

Welcome to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for January 2017.

Many people think of January as the beginning of another year of bloom day posts. Actually January is the end of a year of bloom day posts since we started this tradition back in February 2007.

That's right. February 2007. That means those who have joined in from the beginning now have ten years of bloom day posts. Ten years.

And many of you said you were terrible at keeping records of  what is going on in your gardens. Now you can no longer make that claim. Now you have up to ten years of records, depending on when you joined in.

Wrapping up this tenth year of bloom day posts, here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, we are so far being spared the ice and snow that is gripping much of the U.S. to the west of us and to the north of us.

So far.

I am actually writing this post on the 13th, just to be sure there is a bloom day post on schedule. I realize that by the 15th, I, too, could have ice on my garden. I hope if there is ice, there isn't a lot of it.

I walked around my garden and saw many shoots poking up out of the ground. "Is it time yet?" Not for many of them. Above is a snowdrop sprout.  It could bloom at any time and likely will bloom before the next bloom day posts.

I'd prefer these crocuses wait a bit.

For those concerned with the corm being exposed, rest assured I threw a handful of dirt and mulch on it after I took the picture.

I think these reticulated irises seem a bit rambunctious for this time of year.

At least I think those are the reticulated irises. If not, well, it will be a nice surprise to see whatever they are once they are blooming.

Nearby the witch hazel's buds (Hamamelis vernalis) are puffing up.

Not too exciting yet, but in a few weeks perhaps we'll see some color on them.

We might also see a few of these Helleborus niger open up, too.

I think I've shown these buds in previous bloom day posts. I hope for a sunny day soon when they will actually open up.

In the meantime, there are always the plants in the sunroom.

The amaryllis buds are taking their time.

I've forgotten what color they are going to be but will soon find out.

I also don't know what color these hyacinths "on vase" will be.

But I do know from looking at past bloom day posts that they are pretty much the same at this point every year.

But where are the blooms, you ask?

Here they are!

Once again I've purchased pre-chilled pips of Lily of the Valley to force into bloom. I'm happy to have them now, in the middle of January when little else is blooming.  They remind me that spring is really not that far off.

What's blooming in your garden and home on this January day? Please join in for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and show us by posting about your blooms on your blog. All are welcome, whether it is your first time or your 120th time. Then leave a link in the Mr. Linky widget below  and a comment to let us know what you have for us to see.

And to commemorate the conclusion of 10 years of bloom day posts, please also let us know in your comment how long you've been joining in.

"We can have flowers nearly every month of the year." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence