Garden Bloom in March

It seems as if frosty winter weather turned a corner into summer in just two weeks here. I expect there will be some additional back and forth before it is all heat and no cool, but the garden certainly believes the time has come to put on growth and bloom.

So this month’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is the fullest yet from my infant garden.

First, it is a great time for the various sorts of dianthus I’ve planted. ‘Floral Lace Picotee’ (top of page and below) has come back single this time, but quite floriferous and still with that wonderful streaked blend of wine and light pink.

I also planted some unnamed crimson bedding dianthus, which apparently I completely forgot to photograph, but they are very nice though still small plants.

Then there is the carnation that I’ve kept potted and just recently repotted as it has grown quite vigorous and large.

Viola ‘Primrose Picotee’ hasn’t missed having flowers all winter, despite getting a bit nipped by some frosty nights. It needs a hearty deadheading!

As for Salvias, just yesterday the first blooms of the year opened on S. microphylla ‘Hot Lips’…

…while today I found tight buds on S. farinacea, buds which I only discovered after I’d taken all my pics for this post!

The lavenders are also both still blooming well. Here is Lavandula stoechas, which flowers only in spring…

…and the paler L. dentata, which has a more extended bloom time.

Despite the winter being mild overall, there is definitely a feeling of life returning to the garden this month.

Happy March Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day! Thanks to Carol for hosting each month!