My First Hamamelis

My very first Hamamelis is beginning to bloom! I've inherited a fine Hamamelis 'Aphrodite'. It is not expected to bloom heavily this year (because it was stressed last year) but it IS blooming! Gorgeous orange ribbons begin to unfurl, revealing dark red/maroon calyxes - those are calyxes, right? Along with my Hamamelis, I've got some lovely Galanthus of an unknown species who came along for the ride.

The Hamamelis bloom is the tiny little thing towards the bottom of the shrub not the orange things (flags) in the background!

See the clump of bulbs at the bottom of the photo - those are the Galanthus! 

I love this time of the year. The days are longer requiring me to take note and appreciate the extra light and the garden is full of change. But to witness these changes I must pay attention! I have to microscopically, inspect plants to see the changes - buds fattening and beginning to bloom and new leaves sprouting, shiny and fresh. Its as if, the plants quietly yell 'stop, linger and enjoy me!' It is a subtle and mysterious time of the year when-even though I've seen buds turn to blooms - they always seem to surprise me. Every year is new in my garden and every year I am new to my garden.

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!