Little March Beauties

It finally feels like spring with small bulbs blooming all over the front yard.  The photo above includes 'Golden Bunch' and 'Grand Maitre' crocus flowers, a 'Pink Tea Cup' Lenten Rose (Helleborus), and striped foliage from 'Jaap Groot' tulips.

The afternoon light shining through the petals makes a pretty scene.  Emerging daylily foliage creates a nice green backdrop for the violet flowers.

This winter wasn't the harshest one we've seen here in Spokane, but it was a lot colder and snowier than the past few years.  Seeing color in the garden again feels fabulous.

In the backyard east of the house, clusters of 'Harmony' miniature iris are blooming for the second spring since planting.  The drawback to these bulbs is that their leaves keep growing to reach over a foot long, so they are more noticeable as they die back.  But their gorgeous cobalt blue color and reblooming ability make them keepers in my garden.

'Ruby Glow' Crocus are a warm violet next to the blue iris.  I purposefully left leaf litter in this area to see if I can handle the disarray as it decomposes naturally and enriches the soil.

Nearby a 'Berry Swirl' Lenten Rose is starting its long bloom season.  It's a happy time of year as the sun regains some strength and the garden reawakens.