It's Pansy Time

Pansies have been slowly trickling into local garden markets over the last two weeks,  but finally it looks like the bulk of them have arrived.

When kept in the shade with a little morning sun, my potted pansies last all summer long.

My New Favorite Spring Bulb

I am absolutely in love with these tiny little flowers, Chionodoxa luciliae, also known as Glory of the Snow. They were on sale in the Fall so I bought a couple of packs to see how they turn out. The pack picture has them looking purple, so I was quite surprised when they bloomed a beautiful blue. 

Glory of the Snow

They only grow 5 inches, and are supposed to naturalize each year.

First Bulbs to Bloom in My Garden

I planted so many bulbs in the fall that I forgot that some were these crocus flowers.

Pasque Wildflower

April is a great time to start looking for early wildflowers.  The Pasque Flower is the first one to come up every year,  usually around Easter. I usually find it in sunny locations,  on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Leave them where they are and don't try to dig them up to move to your garden. They don't transplant well.

Pasque Flower