Although my gardens are greening up nicely this cool March, I still don’t have much blooming.  Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis ) are soaring from their fleshy foliage

and soon there will be more Iris blooms, but mostly the garden remains on a flowering strike due to our lingering cool  winter and effects from our last hard freeze. This past week though, I’ve enjoyed a treat each time I visit my back garden. The Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana var. chrysantha) welcomes me each day in varying poses and wardrobe changes.  In the morning,

these ladies haven’t quite awakened. Remained wrapped in their rosy red robes against the crisp mornings,

they aren’t quite ready to face the day.  But, as the sun warms, Lady Tulips open, bit by bit,

revealing their bright, yellow dresses for dancing in spring breezes.

Tulips delight in the warmth of the afternoon sun,

before enfolding colorful petals toward the end of the day.

I bought these bulbs two years ago at Barton Springs Nursery.  It was an impulse purchase, the kind I prefer to avoid, but succumb to that day.  Last year, these tulips  bloomed, but the show was limited and not particularly impressive. I complete forgot I planted the bulbs until last week when the happy tulips reappeared.   I’m guessing that 2014’s cooler temperatures are why Lady Tulips are reveling in spring this year.

I’m not complaining.

This year, Lady Tulips define spring in my slow-to-awaken garden.