February 12, 2011

A Brief Sense Of Spring.

Today is bitterly cold.
I woke up to the first morning with subzero temperatures since mid January. Lady Winter is back from her intermission, which came across almost as an early departure.

Still, as we wait for February snow to cover our landscape white once more, the mild, albeit foggy and humid air which has been dominating our forecast for the last twenty days brought about a brief sense of spring. The stalks of the early flowers were seen relentlessly pushing upwards and at times the early bird song resonated a joy, the one that made me feel nature was a month ahead.

My front patio displayed only a few days back the first beauty of the resilient and yet so tender yellow crown of the Eranthis flower, just about to burst into bloom. I am sure this progress has now been abruptly interrupted and hate to contemplate what the plummeting temperatures will do to this lovely plant.

Last weekend however still truly felt like spring and thus I did the first gardening of the year, cutting back the dried up clematis, its climbing vines rigid and brown, seemingly so very lifeless. Upon closer look though, a multitude of buds were already in full sight, usually a sign prompting the annual early trimming of this late summer blooming beauty.

Winter is not over yet and Spring - although not that distant - is still far removed from our perception. However, the first season is slowly running out of time and we all know that good things comes to those who wait.
Thus lets wait just a little bit longer.

































34 comments:

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Waiting to see again the spot in a few months time! Hugs

Elizabeth said...

It is cold today but the sun is shining so lets enjoy the day.

Elisabeth said...

It is amazing what a good prune can do. The more you take off, within reason the more abundant your flowers. It is an act of trust. Soon the weather will turn. Thanks Zuzana.

laoi gaul~williams said...

oh what a beautiful clematis!
we lost one of ours last year but our other one survived and is putting out many tiny fuzzy buds.
the weather here is suddenly very mild and today the sun is shining so my heart is singing!

thanks for visiting my 'other' blog :)

S. Susan Deborah said...

Your observation and eye for detail is mind boggling. I am as always, glad to see these pictures and read your notes on the changing seasons.

Joy always,
Susan

Sandy said...

Your clematis is beautiful Zuzana! I have always wanted one. We have no signs of Spring yet here except for loads of birds. I'm not sure if they stayed for the winter or are just passing through. We have three Bradbury Pear trees in our front yard and the birds have been eating the fruit all winter. I'm ready for Spring...I would like to sit out on our screened in porch. Oh, well, it will soon be here.

Colleen said...

Zuzana! Your patio is BREATHTAKING! I love to garden and create beauty but that...I love it! How many years did it take to get looking like that? I would love to plant some clematis but don't know much about it except it is beautiful!:) This post lightens my heart because here in Norway we are experiencing that same cold spell...but longing for the lush beauty of spring. I find spring in Scandinavia the most beautiful I've experienced.:)

tony said...

the Eranthis flowers look like little suns shining!
I'm surprised its cold with you today.here in Yorkshire it feels the warmest day so far.The Promise Of Summer!
Have A Lovely Saturday Zuzana x

steviewren said...

It is 23F this morning, but the temps are forecast to climb into the 60s later this weekend and stay there all next week. It will seem heavenly! Already the birds sound happier. They know Spring is coming soon.

Anonymous said...

That sense of spring is what keeps us going, I think, when February gives us the gift of snow up to our knees! In just one night...

Lovely shots.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ohhhh I love before/after pruning pictures! 'Cause I just love, love, love to get out with my clippers and prune-away. :-)

Now that is something [for me] to look forward to! Thank you for the thought.

Oh how lovely that spot will be looking, in not too long.

Hugs and ♥'s...

Anonymous said...

I anxiously wait for spring. I am so very tired of the cold.

Myrna R. said...

Ican understand why you look forward to Spring. Your work and preparation are like an invitation to the flowers. I know they'll be as beautiful as ever.

Anonymous said...

The after pruning shot looks as though the clemetis can once again breathe. I'm sure those vines are thanking you!

Di

Betsy Brock said...

Oh I can't believe you have buds on branches already! I think we are a good 6-8 weeks from that. Your clematis looks wonderful all pruned and ready to go.

Stay warm!

A Lady's Life said...

Oh My! How beautiful!!! I need to find this flower.:)

Dan said...

Hi Zuzana
Your before, after and summer shots are fantastic. Hope your cold weather isn't heading in our direction as we've had the most wonderful day of slightly warm sunshine!
Dan
-x-

Velvet Over Steel said...

I'm so looking forward to seeing my flowers outside blooming again... very soon I hope!! :-)

Have a Wonderful weekend, Zuzana!!
Hugs,
Coreen xoxoxo

Brian Miller said...

i may have to sit on my hands to wait much longer...today is a tease in the mid 50s...i wish it would stay...

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

You give me hope girl for warmer days to come. Your flowers are just amazin'!!!

My daylilies are pokin' up through the snow. Go figure...

God bless ya sweetie and have a beautiful weekend!!!

Sukanya said...

Love the way you care for you plants Zuzana. The before/after pictures were lovely. Would love to see that spot in a few months :) I am waiting for spring too. Really tired of winter!!

Have a lovely weekend Zuzana.

Cheers,
Sukanya.

Hilary said...

Wow.. you sure were having an early spring-like time. I hope your emerging plant life survives this cold. I'm just about ready for the change of season.. well, beyond ready. ;)

SandyCarlson said...

Mother Nature, like the BMW, can turn on a dime. It always amazes me how this amazes me. One day is not like the next. Your beautiful flowers on the patio make me realize that despite the snow and cold, spring comes and life continues. I enjoyed your post very much.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

The fencing with the glorious Clematis is fantastic! You will be snapping pictures of all the blooms VERY SOON.

We have had zero temps here but today it was pleasantly warm when I took out the dogs. It is to climb up into the 40's! I know it will not last but like you, I will ENJOY while it is here!

Roger Gauthier said...

Don't fret about the weather, dear Zuzana! Here, there is a general warning for today and tomorrow, and almost for no reason. Just imagine: a ridiculously mild temp around -15°C, high winds and a bit less than a foot of snow. Nothing to write home about, do you agree? :-)))

Keep on writing, I love reading you! And I do love those photos where you show different states - before and after pruning, and with the magnificent flowers.

Roger

Rajesh said...

Beautiful early buds of flower. I am waiting to see the fence all covered with beautiful flowers.

Bossy Betty said...

Lovely post! Welcome Spring! (Hurry!)

Jerry said...

I like the before-after-future shots. I am typically a very patient person, but even I admit to a bit of frustration with the way winter seems to hang on.

Laura said...

It is coming...soon enough.

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Dearest Zuzana,

I actually taking much more attention to the small changes of nature since I reading your wonderful blog. Recently I noticed the first small signs of changes and I was very surprised...the days are longer and I hear bird singing in the morning which I haven't heard in a long time. Spring is definitely on it's way and I really enjoy this exciting period, knowing that the rebirth has already started!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Much love: Evi

Claus said...

our warm weather has been interrupted by a cold front from the north. So while the skies are blue, and the sun shines, the temperatures are freezing cold! (at least for us) and the wind gusts make life in general very complicated. Luckily, this is only a 4-5 day happening, and then we go back to our tropical weather :o)
Don't you like to prune and hope for beautiful gardens?! I did some pruning back in January, and hopefully, I will have pretty summer flowers in my front patio. Those in the back patio are already blooming!
have a lovely day!

Zuzana said...

Philip, Elizabeth, Elisabeth, laoi, Susan, Sandy, Colleen, tony, Stevie, ladyfi, Amelia, gwennewpenny (welcome), Myrna, Di, Betsy, Lady, Dan, Coreen, Brian, Nezzy, Sukanya, Hilary, Sandy, Jill, Roger, Rajesh, Betty, Jerry, Laura, Evi and Claudia – I am always so happy to be able to share with you the progress of my surroundings. I love to watch how nature responds to all the different seasons and I truly enjoyed this brief taste of spring.

Thank you so much for your compliments on my little piece of heaven – my tranquil terrace that is my pride and joy and where I love to spend many hours during the spring and summer season. I can not wait for it to awake once again and become lush and green and scented by jasmine and caprifolium.

As always – thank you so much for your endless visits and kind comments.

Xoxo
Zuzana

Beverlydru said...

Greetings Zuzana! I've been thinking about you in your house on the hill across the pond! I've neglected blogging and reading to the point I realized how much I treasure the time with friends all over the world. Enjoyed my visit, as always.

Anonymous said...

Springlike weather came to our area yesterday...temperatures were in the 50's and alot of snow melted. Today is quite another story...only in the 20's and very windy! February has been so fickle. Your clematis vines are so full. The pruning must help them. I hope you share some pictures when they are in bloom again this summer.