I saw my first (and probably only) snowflakes this winter on Saturday, February 2, but the precipitation turned to rain within the hour. The Upstate has had plenty of gray days and moisture since January’s Bloom Day posting, with temperatures fluctuating from the 20s into the 70s. I’ve heard, but haven’t been able to confirm, our most recent cold weather destroyed much of this year’s peach crop. Fingers crossed the sad news isn’t true. More cold is on the way this weekend, however, as Saturday’s forcast predicts a low of 24 degrees F.
Even still, there are blooms in the garden. The vignette below is inspired by Ellen HoverKamp‘s stunning botanical photgraphs in Natural Companions: The Garden Lover’s Guide to Plant Combinations by Ken Druse, a favorite Christmas gift I simply can’t put down.
Vignette inspired by Ken Druse
Flowers include several Camellia japonica (top) and various Helleborus hybrids (bottom). The rosette of yellow near the center of the photo is Edgeworthia chrysantha (Chinese paper bush), and the yellow fringe at the bottom is Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ (witch hazel). The pansy is ‘Dynamite Wine Flash’, while the smaller viola is ‘Sorbet Antique Shades.’ The early yellow daffodils draw attention to the ‘Gold Dust’ Aucuba japonica (aucuba), and the slightly smaller leaves of variegated Gardenia jasminoides (gardenia). The red-veined foliage is Rumex sanguineus (bloody dock), and the silver-veined is Saxifraga stolonifera (strawberry begonia).
Even better, here’s what’s blooming or almost blooming in the woodland.
Erythronium americanum (trout lily)
Trillium cuneatum (Sweet Betsy)
Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot)
To discover what’s blooming in gardens around the world, visit the host of Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens.
Hortitopia 
Your floral vignette is charming. I planted bloodroot last year but not a sign of it. Yours is lovely.
I appreciate the photos with their common and botanical names below. Hope I can find some of these!
Love the vignette and the glimpse of the beauty ready to spring up.
Did you plant the trout lily or did it appear after the clearing? I guess it is time to start wildflower hiking. terry G
Planted it.
The garden bloggers’ Bloom Day has become the most wonderful reminder to observe and to celebrate every day the beauty the garden provides…we in the South seem especially blessed with something in bloom every month of the year. I love the gorgeous vignette – it looks almost Victorian in its exuberance! And it’s made even more special by the fact that these are all mid-February blooms.
Some of my family have a very large peach business in the middle of the state called Watsonia; don’t think they have been hurt yet; you must mean that damage has occurred in the upstate…will check on this for your readers.
Durant planted edgeworthia at Christ Church. It has been an incredible hit with our parishoners. I am asked about this plant daily – great foliage, pearl-like bud, to a sweet blossom.
Thank you for the lovely botanical photograph and especially the early wildflowers. Happy Bloom Day.
Trout Lilies are so beautiful. We have some of the red flowering Trillium that looks a bit like Trout Lilies.
Isn’t it funny how different microclimates behave in the same zone? Our trout lilies and trillium appear to be sleeping. Trillium is my favorite–can’t wait for its appearance! Your vignette is lovely. Now, the big question is–will we finally see snow today?! Happy bloom day to you!
Glad you liked the book.
Ron–the book is a treasure! Been missing y’all. We need to get together.
I check with my family in the peach business…they are 1700 hrs. SHORT in cold weather;only 1000 short last year and the crop was poor, so this year it’s going to be iffy if they don’t get the cold temps.
Beth–Thanks for checking up on the peaches. I saw an internet notice on Feb 11 that experts were predicting a 10 percent crop…but couldn’t find any details.
Love the vignette! What a great collection of foliage and blooms.
The vignette looks like it should be framed on the wall. Love the variety of camellias, especially the variegated one. Looks like you are a few weeks ahead of central Virginia’s bloom schedule.
bswhi2–the variegated camellia has been blooming more than 2 months and still has buds to open! It is my favorite.