Ellen, all the baby primula you gave me last year are growing. They might bloom this year. I can't wait to see which color they are.
The Primula 'Seiboldii' is showing up too. But I want more. lol
My Mertensia is pushing through. They will definitely bloom very soon.

How beautiful! I love the close up shots. I don't have anything opened yet, but the 80's on Thursday will open and wither most of the bulbs pretty fast.

How are you a zone 6 in Chicago? Near the lake?

Thanks, bev.
Yes, I live near the lake. The temp has not dropped to -20F in more than 20 years.
Spring heats up much faster, and earlier every year. All my spring bulbs don't last long anymore.

Love the pics - especially the primula. Here in St. Louis my crocus are nearly finished. Late blooming daffodils are beginning to open. Tulips will be ready before long.

-StLGirl

gorgeous!!! I'm so jealous ;)

1. I love primula and need to sow them next year as I have none. (note to self)
2. my daffs are just starting to open and my one and only crocus is done already
3. I have to add snowdrops to my list for next year too.

I want to have masses of color in March next year!! and I want it to look like yours :)

~Andrea

I am glad that those primulas growing. Mine are growing and some are started to bloom already too, not the sieboldii or japonica.
Mertensia pushing up and eranthis is blooming, lots of small bulbs are coming into bloom as well as early small narcissi.... yeah, spring is here. My greenhouse blew up and killed whatever small amount of perennials I have started but will have some other things from cold frame and garden...
I am hoping to see everyone this Memorial weekend for our annual plant swap... mark a date please, Friday eve of Memorial weekend, what is it date -May 28?

Just beautiful!

Is there a special setting on digital cameras for these close up shots?

Oh, those are a sure sign that Spring has arrived. Love that yellow and purple combination..beautiful and thanks for sharing with us. Can't wait to see when all the other flowers in your yard bloom.

Oh, so gorgeous!

Thank you for sharing those! I was so needing to see some color....;)

Beautiful. Is primula primrose? (Not good with the latin names)

pippi21, I don't know what kind of camera she used, but when I take pics of my flowers up close I use the macro setting. It looks like a tulip flower and it's good to take close up detailed shots. HTH!

here are some closeups I've taken with the macro function in my gardens this year

Pulmonaria vulgaris
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My one lonely daffodil bloom (so far)
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Drooling Piti!! Such nice colours. My Hyacinths (sp?) are coming up again and I can't wait for the spring time perfumes.

Hi, All. Thanks.
I still need to take more pictures. A few more Primulas are blooming now and more Daffodils.
More Mertensia are pushing through everyday. I canâÂÂt wait to see their lovely blue bell-shape blossoms:
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I have been busy sowing more seeds and preparing a new vegetable bed next door. :-D

Stgirl, I was just in St. Louis last week and visited the Botanical Garden. Only some spring bulbs and Witch Hazels were in bloom while I still had snow on the ground back in Chicago.
Yes, carylto, Primula is primrose. I especially like Primula vulagaris because of its soft yellow color. It also has a very subtle fragrance.

I actually like all Primulas. They are charming among spring bulbs. Andrea, they are very easy to WS.

lindalana gave me a bunch of WS babies last year. I am hoping that theyâÂÂll bloom this year for me. I might go beg for japonica this year, Ellen. :-DTrade you with another large clump of veris?
In fact, I sowed a lot of P. veris just for you. I hope theyâÂÂll germinate soon and be ready for the plant swap.

I have potted up some Redtwig Dogwood, Hydrangea 'Annabelle' and this Viburnum for the swap:
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Pippi, I use a macro lens /macro setting. My lens is EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro
I love the colors too. You canâÂÂt go wrong with a yellow/purple combination. :-P

Love the Pulmonaria, craftlady. I normally donâÂÂt care for speckled plants, but I planted a Pulmonaria last year. It is showing colors too.

Tiffy, I hope my Hyacinths come back too. I noticed that my daffodils are quite fragrant. So subtle I would have missed it had them bloomed among other perennials later. I have been stepping on my Monarda. It smells heavenly.

Tiffy, I have been contemplating holding a plant sale after reading your post about yours, but I am not sure I want to deal with people tramping all over my garden. I have no room whatsoever to set up a table.