The Usual Suspects of Early Spring

There aren't that many choices for flowers in early spring, but after a dark winter these hardy little bloomers never feel boring to me.  Above is a group of 'Ruby Giant' crocus.  The contrast between the orange stamens, silvery violet inside, and magenta-violet outside is really lovely if you lean down to see it better.

These little guys make a nice S-shape in the west backyard bed.  They're leading us on to sunshine and blue skies.

If yellow sun and blue skies aren't willing to show up, 'Harmony' dwarf iris will play the understudy.  It's hard to capture the true blue color, but it's vibrant and yummy.

Pale blue glory of the snow (Chionodoxa) contrasts with reddish-yellow 'Angelina' sedum in the background.

'Pink Giant' chionodoxa are so softly colored that I never seem to get a good photograph of them, but they're lovely in concert with the 'Grand Maitre' cocus.

More 'Grand Maitre' crocus emerge from woolly thyme with deep red peony stems in the background.

This 'Pink Teacup' hellebore plant is so cheerful that it deserves a spot in this post as well as the last one.  It will still be blooming in May when the little bulbs are long gone.

All of these cute mini bulb blooms combined with boxwood leaves from a protected corner to make this happy Easter centerpiece.  The crystal basket came from my gardener grandmother who passed away several years ago, and this was the first time I'd used it.