Bloom Day, March 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Tina

March is here, blooms are here and Northern Hemisphere gardeners are grateful that winter is (for the most part) taking a hike. Done and done with winter 2014-15! Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Garden for hosting this monthly musing on blooms.

There’s not a lot of flower power wowing my Austin, Texas gardens for this bloom day, but what is blooming is very, very welcome and the yellows currently rule.

Carolina Jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens, is a new vine for me and it’s making its presence known.

For now, it’s hiding behind a White Mistflower, Ageratina havanensis, because the vine is small and not yet grown to its height and width.

By this time next year it will crown the Mistflower shrub, full of early spring sunshine-bright blooms as it clings to its trellis.

Golden Groundsel, Packera obovata, is another ray of cheer gracing my March garden.

This Columbine,

…is a hybrid of the natives Aquilegia chrysantha and Aquilegia canadensis, both of which grow in my gardens. This lovely displays the blush of pink in the sepals and spurs common to hybrids, rather than the purity of yellow seen in A. chrysantha (Hinckley) or the brick-red and yellow combination of A. canadensis.

For me, the blooming columbines, no matter what their color, herald spring’s arrival.

Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, is a tough Texas plant with eye-popping blooms.

This vine blossoms for much of the growing season, but March through June it drips with coral-red clusters.

Rosa ‘Martha Gonzales’ Rose, unfolded its first brilliant red-pink bloom this week–there will be plenty more of the same throughout the year.

And the Rosa, ‘Mutabilis’ issued an invitation for pollinators to visit.

I find this rose blooms beautifully throughout spring, sometimes in fall and in mild winters, but not so during our long, hot summer. Year-round though it offers cover and refuge for the various finches and wrens, as well as the Cardinals, so I’m happy to keep it in the back of the garden.

Potato Vine, Solanum laxum, gifts to gardens their sweet, dainty flowers throughout the cool season.

The vine will more than likely wrap up its blooming in the next month or so.

To see other beauteous blooms from all over the world, take a look at May Dreams Gardens and happy blooms to all, whether it’s spring or fall.

26 thoughts on “Bloom Day, March 2015”

texasdeb on March 15, 2015 at 8:20 am said:

While I might have 2-3 things beginning to bloom I have 3 times that many plants just poised on the brink of flowering. I’m guessing in about 2 weeks we are going to have a bloomarama going here in Central Texas. (I still wish it would rain more!)

Those columbine blooms are so lovely – with their spurs they always remind me of fireworks bursting into a nighttime sky. That’s interesting about how the hybrids have the color combinations. I tried growing some H Columbine years ago with little luck but every time I see a picture of them in bloom I think I should try again. I’ll have to re-check their requirements and see if I do indeed have a suitable space. No time like the present!

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 8:54 am said:
  
  Thanks–I just love the columbines. They do best in my front garden and every year, just as they reach the pinnacle of prettiness–all full of blooms, lush and colorful, the winds come. The wind whistles down the street and blows them around. And around. That’s the one frustrating thing for me. The ones in my back garden have never been as successful and I’m not sure why. “Bloomarama”–I like it! You’re right though, Central Texas is about to explode with color!! Yippy!
  
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plumdirt on March 15, 2015 at 9:16 am said:

You just helped me learn the name of one of my roses! We have a Martha Gonzalez as well, it looks like. And I didn’t know columbine grew here. I loved it growing up. It reminds me of my father. I’ll have to see about planting some…

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 10:07 am said:
  
  Ha! Glad to help. Isn’t Martha a fabulous rose? So tough and so many blooms. There’s another, Old Gay Hill rose that is similar, but the shrub is larger, doesn’t quite have the bronziness of new leaves and is a slightly deeper red. It’s a great rose too.
  
  Gardens and plants are like food and cooking–they’re tied up in memories and emotional attachment. Columbines here will bloom in spring and need shade. Dappled shade will work too, but they might need a bit of water during our hot summers. Good luck with them–if you plant, be sure to post about them, I’d love to hear how they work for you.
  
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Lea on March 15, 2015 at 9:46 am said:

Very pretty!
I love Columbines!
The Carolina Jessamine will grow really fast. I wish I had put mine on a larger trellis, but it is too late to move it now. We’ve had a cold winter. Each time my Jessamine has tried to bloom, we’ve had a freeze. But it buds out again! Now our weather is warmer I hope to see it blooming again.
Happy Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day!
Lea

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 10:10 am said:
  
  Thanks, Lea. Columbines are so great–such unusual flowers and so fun. I’m sorry about your Carolina Jessamine; it’s frustrating when freezes (or hail) zap something in new bloom-mode. But I’m glad it’s trying again for you.
  
  I hope I haven’t made a mistake where I put mine, but I can add some wire fencing if necessary and I’ve wanted one for a long time. Happy GBBD to you.
  
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Rebecca on March 15, 2015 at 12:45 pm said:

That certainly is a lot of yellow! The Carolina Jessamine and columbines look great! I planted some columbine last spring, but it hasn’t bloomed for me yet. I’m hoping it will start putting on a show this year. I’m in love with your coral honeysuckle – I’m sure you attract quite a number of hummers with that guy. I planted one last spring as well but it hasn’t taken off or bloomed for me yet. I’m wondering if it is in too shady of a spot? What kind of light does yours get?

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 1:55 pm said:
  
  It seems to be the way of early spring blooms, at least in my gardens–yellow!! Not quite sure why your columbine wouldn’t have bloomed, but it should this spring. It may still–it’s early in their season.
  
  I know the literature says that coral honeysuckle bloom in shade, but don’t believe it. Both of mine, but the one that I usually photograph, is full sun, especially in summer; coral honeysuckle thrives in full sun. If yours is planted with full sun, then it might need some maturing, though I would think after its first year, it would begin blooming.
  
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thetransmutationalgardener on March 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm said:

Pretty pics! You’ll enjoy the Carolina Jessamine. It’s a wonderful climber, with perfect yellow color and a sweet aroma. I had one for many years over a gate arbor. If I’m lucky I might be able to find a twig of one at my Mom’s house to transplant.

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  I’ve wanted one for a long time, configured some things and the garden and was able to add! It’s such a bright yellow! Honestly, I hadn’t realized just how blindingly bright it is. Hope you find that twig–it’s nice to transplant from a loved one’s garden, rather than buying.
  
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Pam's English Garden on March 15, 2015 at 2:19 pm said:

Ah, columbines — yours are lovely. I’ve linked to them on my blog today, having no blooms yet in my Pennsylvania garden. Happy GBBD! P.x

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you! They are nice. Your blooms are just around the gardening corner. 🙂
  
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Beth @ PlantPostings on March 15, 2015 at 3:33 pm said:

You have Roses blooming in your garden already?! Wow! I saw some yellow jasmine during a hike recently and fell in love with it–the way the blooms are staggered along the vine in such a graceful way. You have some beauties blooming now. Happy Bloom Day!

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Beth. The roses are just beginning and there are only handful, but so welcome. I’m going to fish emulsion/seaweed them this coming week (or so)–then, they’ll really take of.
  
  I’m excited about this Jessamine–I think I’ll be quite happy with it. Happy Bloom Day to you as well. Wisconsin will warm soon….
  
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Rock Rose on March 15, 2015 at 3:37 pm said:

I saw my first hummer today. I am sending it over to your garden where the honeysuckle is sure to be its favorite. Happy Bloom Day

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Lucky you!! Yes, do send him over, please. I haven’t seen any this year, but hope to soon. Happy blooms to you!
  
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LInda Lehmusvirta on March 15, 2015 at 6:29 pm said:

Wow, lovely! Did you get your Packera at the Wildflower sale? I’m impressed that your columbines are already blooming. And indeed, I have young vines/others that look small compared to their companions–until next year! Really, gorgeous garden you have.

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- Tina on March 15, 2015 at 10:08 pm said:
  
  Oh, thanks LInda! I think I did get the Packera at one of the sales–several years ago and they’re spreading nicely. Yay! There are only a few columbines blooming, but the rest seem to be preparing for blooming bonanza, so I’m looking forward to that.
  
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Debra on March 15, 2015 at 11:05 pm said:

heh First you say there isn’t much a lot of flower power going on and then you show a whole lot of flowers! And each one is beautiful. Happy sigh. You are going to love the Carolina Jessamine. I’ve seen so many great displays around town in neglected spaces so I am sure it will be fabulous in your garden. I saw my first lizard yesterday and said to my husband: now THAT is a sure sign of spring.

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- Tina on March 16, 2015 at 8:11 am said:
  
  That’s the thing about photography–there’s a certain element of fakery involved, isn’t there? 🙂 What’s blooming is lovely, it’s just, as someone else said a “sprinkling” of color. More is on its way though. Yippy for spring!
  
  I’ve also seen a lizard or two and thought pretty much the same thing–I miss those little guys-n-gals in the winter, so I’m glad to have them back. Besides, they’re my official Wildlife Wednesday mascots.
  
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Donna@Gardens Eye View on March 16, 2015 at 9:16 am said:

Look at your garden grow….I can only dream of my coral honeysuckle as it won’t bloom for at least 8 weeks.

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- Tina on March 16, 2015 at 1:53 pm said:
  
  Things are definitely greening up here, but it will happen soon for you too!!
  
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Joyful on March 16, 2015 at 2:58 pm said:

Very pretty! I love all kinds of flowers and green plants. Every year I struggle to get my small garden in on time. I seem to do better with the container garden.

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- Tina on March 16, 2015 at 3:29 pm said:
  
  I love flowers and greens too. Funnily enough, I’m not very good with container gardens and am better with those in the ground. Enjoy!
  
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Chloris on March 18, 2015 at 11:12 am said:

I love the Aqueligea, what a pretty one. I have Rosa mutabilis too and I love it, although mine won’ t be in bloom for a long time yet. The Jessamine is pretty, is it a relation of jasmine?

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- Tina on March 18, 2015 at 11:46 am said:
  
  I love the Aquilegia too and there are so many colors and forms of that family of plants. I’ll be your Mutabilis blooms all summer and is beautiful. I think they’ll bloom here in summer, but with lots of extra water and I’m not willing to do that. The Carolina Jessamine is a member of the Pinkroot Family and so I don’t think it’s actually related to jasmine species of vines. It’s a common native vine of the South and Southeastern part of the United States.
  
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