. . . and Here Comes the Flower Show.

We forgot what daylight looks like. Eight inches of rain. . . state of emergency. . . flooding in Waltham. . . storm sewers overwhelmed. . . delays at Logan. . . . MBTA lines washed out. . . school closings. . .

But that was last week.

Today, March 16, the sun is out, and so are a few hardy flowers. This yellow witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is one of the earliest things to bloom in our zone; it started back in February. It's on the Willow Pond path at Mount Auburn Cemetery. Nature worshippers admire it as they walk past in shirtsleeves. Temperature: a balmy 50 degrees.

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are not far behind. These and the two low-growing plants below are flowering now among the dead leaves and winter litter in Cambridge dooryards.

Dwarf iris (Iris reticulata), left, and Dutch crocuses (Crocus vernus), right, come with Daylight Savings Time.

 


 


 


 


 

And soon to bloom: the Boston Flower & Garden Show: March 24-28 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Information at http://www.masshort.org/Blooms-2010