There is something special about early and late blooming perennials here in Northeast Ohio’s zone 6. The Hellebores that bloom in my garden in February are harbingers of the approaching growing season. When I first see them I know that winter’s days are numbered and all my sleeping plants will begin to emerge. We haven’t had a frost yet this fall so many annuals and roses are still blooming nicely. But when I start seeing the toad lilies and October Daphne begin to bloom, I know my garden is sending out its last hurrah. Refusing to yield to the impending cold, these flowers are making a statement. As if to say “not so fast!” to old-man winter, these late bloomers complete my garden’s blooming cycle that began way back in February.

It is not so much the type of flower on February and October bloomers that make them so special. It is more a measure of gratitude that I have for these bookends because they extend my blooming season.

Now I just have to find a way to get through from November to January.

Posted by Bob Rensel

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 9:18 am and is filed under Bob Rensel, Perennial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.