Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - March 2014

I really thought I'd have more blooming this month. I mean, everything was budding up and looking so promising on Bloom Day in February. But now, a whole month later, I have only a few new blossoms to show you. I am grateful we're not buried under inches of snow (like some of the unfortunate Midwest bloggers still are) - read on to savor this almost-entirely-pink Bloom Day post.

Camellia japonica 'April Kiss'. This shrub is one of many we put in to create privacy from our neighbors' driveway, and she's finally rising to the challenge and looking darn nice doing it.

I like this Camellia because the blooms are smaller, and often perfectly symmetrically formed.

In other japonica action, the heritage Camellias we got with the house are doing their reliable spring thing. There's a light pink one and a deep pink one.

The Mulch Man is their staunch defender, so after pruning and caring for them all year, he gets the credit for their blooms this month. 

Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths' looked to be on his final gasp of blooms last month, but he's come back again with a fresh flush this month.

Lewisia cotyledon is just beginning to show some washed-out color. This lovely native features in my header picture and it's one of my favorite plants in the garden.

My first Tulipa tarda. I love the little species tulip blooms.

 Daphne odora 'Marginata' is still pumping out its exquisitely scented flowers.

It's rather a gawky shrub, but I'm showing it so you can see how surprisingly well it came through our two cold snaps. I expected it to lose most of its leaves, but it looks almost undamaged.

Finally, my only flower today that isn't pink! Mahonia repens is finally opening.

Bloom Day is graciously hosted on the 15th of each month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Pop on over to see what other gardeners have blooming today, and cheer on the Midwest gardeners - their spring WILL come.

Happy Bloom Day!