First blooms of the year: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day 2011
Clumps of winter aconite, the red foliage of bergenia, and two Helleborus niger.
Above is the view from my bathroom window, only reversed, as I took this picture outside and the window is out of sight at the back of the image. Even though it is the north side of the house, water from below thaws the soil and gives these plants an early start. It took me several years to notice this and then capitalize on it by planting early bloomers here. Now, though most of the crocus and snowdrops are still buried under snow, I can enjoy a few choice blooms from the comfort of the house. 
Here’s a closer look at one clump of winter aconite. Not sure which species of Eranthis it is. I am pretty sure that ferny foliage peeking up through them is Adlumia
The hellebores pictured below are the same ones that were blooming last November, the same blossoms even, I think. And you can see there are buds waiting in the wings. 
Helleborus niger, Thanksgiving bloom, from Seneca Hill Perennials
The very first Johnny-jump-up was hunkered over from cold, so I had to turn the blossom upward for the camera
Most of the snowdrops not still buried under snow were on the verge of blooming. This is the only bud that had “dropped” for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, but it hadn’t actually opened. 
This is the furtherest along snowdrop
However, the snowdrops in the Secret Garden were trying valiantly to bloom, despite the snow: 
These snowdrops are up to their necks in snow, which is receding more every day. By the time they actually bloom, I bet the snow will be gone.
And a picture of my latest acquisition, Crocus korolkowii ‘Lucky Number.’ 
Almost, but not quite blooming, the Lucky Number crocus.
The story of how it got its name is in Janis Ruksans book, Crocuses, reviewed here. But I bought it from Odyssey Bulbs because they claimed it was their earliest blooming crocus. It looks like it will live up to its promise.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She’s been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn’t bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
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