HostasThree Tiny Epimedium, lilacs for May Day, Uvalaria, Soloman's Seal, Jacob's Ladder, Sweet Cicely is just beginning and the celendine poppies are everwhere.

A Camasia bloomed for the first time in 10 years or more (maybe a seed that needed to mature before it could bloom, or a bulblet that was moved by a squirrel). Also, a double Columbine, Lily of the Valley, Bleeding Hearts, and Money Plant has taken off this year (here creating a beautiful contrast with the spirea). 

The rain drops on the new hosta leaves lured me out into the garden with the camera.

In my garden (the forsythia is just past prime)

In the woods (not shown, the Marsh Marigolds have been blooming for 2 weeks)

Scilla started blooming weeks ago, and the celendine poppies and yellow epimedium are in full bloom.

The unusually snow-less winter and warmer than usual spring has lured snowdrops, crocus and hellebores into bloom earlier than usual.

The first Lady Slipper bud - Paph. Jerry Spence (rothschidianum x Bernice) from Waldor Orchids - started to open on Dec. 30th, here are a few shots of it leading up to the full photo in my kitchen window, and 2 more flower spikes are in full bud. Also in bloom are Zygopetalum most of whose flowers bloomed upside down, and an amaryllis from Stop & Shop.

BloomIng in the greenhouse (photo altered in iPhone photo apps)

Sent from my iPhone

The weather has been so mild that this plant has burst into FULL bloom. (I bought the plant back in September with what I thought would be dormant buds.)

The weekend of Halloween, we got 18 inches of very wet, heavy snow overnight and lost power for 8 days. The garden and bushes were crushed. Trees were broken. The day after we got power back, November 6th, I left for a week long show in Philadelphia. The following week was spent cleaning up after the devastation.

There has been very little splashy color this fall. Nearly all the maples turned gold, or dropped rematurely. These reds through my livingroom window made up for most of it, though.

(Emma and Kitt supervised the photography.)