Dwarf Irises-early flowering Iris reticulata-Iris danfordiae

Dwarf Irises are very early blooming, bulbous plants. They bloom after snowdrops, in the same time as giant crocuses.

These tiny plants have a big flower, compared to the overall size of the plant, which is not taller than 10 cm in height.
The flowers come before the leaves on a short tube (stem).

The two best known species of dwarf irises are Iris reticulata and Iris danfordiae.
Both species of miniaure irises are very hardy, they produce flagrant flowers in early spring and go dormant in summer.

Iris reticulata

Iris reticulata is the best known species with a wide range of colors from blue to violet to purple, with somewhat darker falls and veins and white and yellow blotches. The flowers are violet scented.

Many beautiful named varieties and hybrids resulted due to intensive cultivation of this wildflower.
One of these hybrids is the Iris reticulata "Katherine Hodgkin". Its flowers are pale sea-green with blue veins and impressive yellow markings.

Iris danfordiae

Iris danfordiae is another species of dwarf iris. Its flowers are of a bright canary yellow color with green or brown spots and are honey scented.

Iris danfordiae is very hardy, it starts blooming sometimes in February.

All dwarf irises prefer full sun of part shade and well drained soil.

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Tete a Tete daffodils-Dwarf narcissus flowers

Tete a Tete daffodils bloom very early in spring, together with other dwarf plants like crocuses and dwarf irises.
These miniature narcissus plants are not taller that 10-15 (4-5 in).

Dwarf daffodils blooms abundantly in March with bright yellow flowers, producing 2-3 blooms per stem.
The flowers have narrow trumpets and slightly swept-back petals.

Tete a Tete daffodils do best in full sun or part (afternoon) shade.
Their little flower heads turns always towards the sun. Planted in a place facing south they'll always have their pretty faces oriented towards the viewer.

These here are young miniature daffodils but bulbs multiply rapidly, producing pretty clumps of flowers year after year.

The yellow dwarf daffodils in the background are nicely complementing the purple crocuses.

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Dutch yellow crocus flower-Crocus flavus-pictures

We've had another warm, sunny day today, the perfect day for spring flower photography.

I went for a walk early in the afternoon and I found these gorgeous, deep golden yellow crocuses in a small, yet empty flower bed near the sidewalk.
Yellow and white crocuses were smiling at the passers-by but, to my luck, not many of them had the time to notice their beauty.

This is the Dutch yellow crocus (Crocus flavus or Crocus luteus), it grows wild in Eastern Europe but it's the first time I see one.
This small crocus is just 5-6 cm tall and blooms shortly after snowdrops, with bright orange-yellow flowers.

As the sun goes down, these yellow Crocus flowers close up for the night. They will open again in the morning and I'll be there to watch them greeting the day because I left my glasses there, somewhere near them.

See also our autumn flowering, purple crocus.

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Joy of spring-rushing the season

Nature's rebirth feels us with hope and joy each year, at springtime. These positive feelings are responsible for people always being tempted to rush this wonderful season.

All the snow is not even melted and the March wind is roaring, trying to blow the winter wind away, still I can feel spring is around the corner.
The bright sunlight of the first days of March is very inviting but I start shivering just looking at the trees swinging in the strong wind.

It's so true that the difference between the first day of spring and the first spring day is sometimes as great as a month (quoted from Henry Van Dyke).

It's also true that no winter lasts forever and no spring skips its turn but only passing though a cold winter can we truly appreciate spring's fairy offerings.

I may be rushing things a bit with this cheery blossom picture but I can't wait to see the real ones.

When the buds open upon the trees and their fragrance fill the air, I'll know than, it's spring!

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