Spring, at last

Erythronium or fawn lilies or trout lilies require a long period of growth before they bloom. It takes a seed seven years, usually, to reach blossoming size seven years while the bulb grows deeper and each year -ends up a single Leaf. In the sixth year there are two leaves, and in the seventh springtime there come two leaves with a flower bud between them, and the trout lily finally blooms.  They seem to like to grow in Oak woodlands.,  I purchased my yellow fawn lily from a nursery on Saltspring Isand,  a few years ago.,  It was at the blooming stage when bought.  This little beauty has now expanded to several plants in its clump.  It seems to be happy in the woodland.  The white ones are just a bit later in opening up.  We see a lot of the white variety growing wild here, but I have not seen yellow ones.  I hope this one seeds around.  I will try to take seeds and scatter them where the white ones grow.  Fortunately, there are several patches of these lilies near me, by the river, in the park.

 My first trillium is up and in flower.  Only one bloom, so far.  Its tiny compared to the other one that grows in the woodland area and which I have not seen yet.  They are different varieties.  These trilliums also grow wild in the the parks and are protected.  I have not seen any near me though.  I guess I need to scatter some of these seeds too.

Marsh marigold are just starting in the pond.  With the water fall running, there is under water plants growing and keeping the water clear.  Oh dear, there seems to be a lot of leaves collected in the pond.  I did not see any fish today, except for the one in the deck pot.  I might need a few new fish.  I did see a baby one a couple of days ago, in the pond.

This is a fairly new plant that lives in the front garden little rockery.  Its spectacular against the rocks and the leaf mulch.  While photographing it I notice that the plants around it are sprouting too.  I saw 4 lilies sprouting up.  I need more compost on this little rockery bed.  It seems to have shrunk about 6 inches below the top of the retaining rocks.  .. strange.

This is the brightest and biggest clump of primulas.  The doubles seem to need drier conditions as they are growing better at the back near the woodland,.   The area where this one is is quite damp, as I thought primulas liked early wet feet.  I imagine I will be seeing quite a lot of these at the VIRAGS spring show and sale, as it seems to be the season for them.