With snow still melting not far away the Hellebores began to bloom. These were the first flowers of spring which is very unusual. Typically pussywillows and maples start sending out their flowers as winter is receding with other spring ephemerals a couple of weeks behind. This year these beautiful blooms opened up on the first day of spring beating the pussywillows and maples by a week.

The first flowers opened up just underneath their leaf canopy while many other blooms continued to rise up from the leaves laid down last fall. Hellebores have leaves which stay green all winter long giving them a little protection from the cold which could quickly return. And for a night or two it did with little effect on this early blooming plant.

As the flowers continued to rise up from the ground, it became clear this would be one of the best spring blooms I’ve seen in the past 15 years of having these plants growing in the yard. Whatever conditions last summer led to such a beautiful display I’m not sure but it’s so nice to see as spring is eagerly anticipated. I look forward to enjoying many blooms over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully heavy snows steer clear of the back yard which could bring the flowering season to a quick end.