Garden Photo of the Day

Winter & spring mingle in Kathie’s garden in Virginia

Crocuses and daffodils at the base of a false holly. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne

Happy first full day of spring, everyone! Today’s photos are from Kathie Coyne in Clifton, Virginia. (A little secret….Kathie was my high school calculus teacher, and later a bridesmaid in my wedding! She’s one of my oldest [not age-ha!!] and dearest friends.) 

Hyacinths and daffodils under the azalea. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne

Kathie says, “We had a relatively unexpected snow storm Monday morning (well, at least it was unexpected by me), but it was a great time to photograph some of the spring arrivals. Attached are before/after pix…today is beautiful and sunny (after).”

The false holly and azalea with crocuses, phlox, hyacinths, and a million johnny-jump-ups. No idea how all the yellow crocuses ended up with the holly and all the purple (and 2 white) crocuses ended up with the Japanese Stewartia… Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne

I love seeing the progression of the plants as the snow melts, Kathie. Everything’s looking good! I’m just jealous that that arum is not hardy in my zone. Anyone growing one above Zone 7??

Japanese Stewartia with purple crocuses. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne
Close up of snow covered purple crocuses. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne
Same crocuses (in need of mulch). Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne
Back yard with snow. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne
Back yard with Brown Kitty. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne
Arum italicum (USDA Hardiness Zones 7-9) is my favorite winter perennial; it comes back every year without fail and is this beautiful in the back yard under the deck on the north-east side of the house until we get really hot steamy weather. This was picture was taken on the snowy morning; it’s just as beautiful today. Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kathie Coyne

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Comments

  1. user-1020932 03/21/2013

    i do like seeing crocus in the snow but i am glad the snow missed me here this week. Michelle, we have Arum here and i'm Zone 6b but anymore zones are kinda hit and miss alot of times

  2. wGardens 03/21/2013

    Enjoyed the photos... even if they did make me shiver! :-) Beautiful Arum- wish I could grow them here. I like your stone-edged path- beckons me to "come, take a stroll..."

  3. User avater
    meander_michaele 03/21/2013

    Well, Michelle, I think you need to play the "one of my oldest and dearest friends" card and beg Kathie to send in more pictures throughout the year...looks like a great garden that I would love to see additional pictures of!
    The photo with the yellow crocuses sings springtime and has such joyful energy. Initially, I thought the white seeming bush was the azalea but then looked harder and came to the conclusion that it was the false holly...yes? The arum is gorgeous...hard to believe it just disappears in the summer and then comes back looking so full and healthy.

  4. bee1nine 03/21/2013

    March on, you little crocus beauties! Always a delight to see
    each year as they bravely push through in the snow and
    multiply. Only wish Old Man Winter would stop with getting
    in a few last digs! Enough already!!
    What a 'trooper' the Arum must be! I do like its appealing
    arrowhead shape and markings.( though not familiar with it).
    I just might give this plant a try!!
    Thanks Kathie :)

  5. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 03/21/2013

    There really is something hopeful about spring flowers in snow. Especially like the shot with the hyacinths. Arum Italicum grows vigorously here in zone 6a. I've had the straight species thriving since '98. This one looks like one of the more heavily marbled cultivars.

  6. tractor1 03/21/2013

    All those wintry views make me feel right to home... it'll be a few more weeks before teh bulps pop through the snow here. I hope Kathie doesn't mind that I brightened her snow:

  7. trashywoman62 03/21/2013

    Spring? Where? It is cold and windy here in IL today but no snow at least! So Katie where do those stone steps go? I also would like to be invited to see more of your garden! Can we come by tomorrow via GPOD!

    I had some crocuses...once. The squirrels decided they needed to supplement their acorn diet and now I have 1 or 2 that pop up in odd places. Yours are beautiful! Especially that yellow, like sunshine!

    Michelle, I grow arum, in a pot. It does ok inside during winter, just a little leggy reaching for sun. Loves me when I put it back out in summer.

  8. rosynk 03/21/2013

    So lovely to see these photos. But then this newsletter is one of my daily pleasures. Thank you!

  9. pattyspencer 03/21/2013

    Have a dusting of snow overnight where I live (didn't expect that or maybe I just didn't listen to the weather man good enough - lol) I too like seeing the crocus peeking out of the snow.

  10. ridgetop01 03/21/2013

    My friend and I grow Arum italicum in zone 5a/b. She lives in a valley, I live on a hilltop. Her Arum blooms each spring and has wonderful red berries in the fall. Mine gets leaves, but never has bloomed (it's been about 5 years now). Mine might be in too much shade, or a bit too dry, I should probably try to move it. So, many of you can probably grow it too!

  11. sheila_schultz 03/21/2013

    Crocus peeking through the snow = hope in my book. Thanks, Kathie, for spreading a little springtime joy! My spring porch containers were planted yesterday, and snow is expected Sat. Typical ;)

  12. darylsavage 03/21/2013

    Only flowers poking through the snow here are hellebores.

  13. tractor1 03/21/2013

    ridgetop01: Often temperatures are lower in a valley than on a hilltop, cold air falls and gets trapped in a valley.

  14. user-1020932 03/21/2013

    came home early, frozen ,,, i feel like one of those crocus now

  15. Josefly 03/21/2013

    The Arum are wonderful. I had read to plant them at the feet of azaleas, to cover up the azaleas' bare legs. But I planted mine alongside of hostas - the two plants are great seasonal complements; as one disappears, the other emerges.

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