Since it's USDA 8 here I've had plants in bloom all winter. There is often a dry, sunny spell in mid-Feb. in lowland western WA that pretty much signals the end of any kind of oppressively hibernal period that might have occurred (I've seen a year when there was a frozen and snowy time in November and another in February but may not have ever seen it ice up earlier or later than that). The sunny afternoons in the 50s F. currently forecasted may be the start of one. Lots of things are budding out and signaling that start of a procession that will extend into June (or even later, with those plants such as Rhododendron auriculatum that actually sit there until July some years before budding out).

Currently I have

Crocus tomasinianus
Grevillea victoriae (blooms late summer to late spring some years)
Hamamaelis mollis
Lonicera x standishii
Viola hybrids

and probably one or two other kinds with multiple noticeable flowers out.

...visit the Elk Rock garden (and the plantings are the same as they were some years ago) they have some nice winter- and early spring-blooming flowers and shrubs there, including sheets of early bulbs out on along the path that follows the ridge down to the viewpoint. Look for witch hazels in the enclosed gardens above the parking area.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Bishop's Close

All of my echinaceas are showing life...YIPPEE!!.

Also got crocus, snow drops, daffs, some early iris (just foliage) and lilies.

knotz

I do feel like we suddenly have turned a corner this week. For the past few years I've been gardening we have had this February "spring break" and things just take off from there even if it gets cold a time or two again. (We had snow in March last year). I have actually in bloom two hellebores, snowdrops, yellow crocus, pulmonaria rubra, various primroses and of course some heather. My little mini irises are slower this year and not yet flowering. Other things I noticed today include a few hosta knobs poking through, life at the base of some year old echinacea, tulip, daffodil and hyacinth foliage emerging. I think I am going to take advantage of this nice weekend to sow some peas!

>We had snow in March last yearWell, then I guess my memory is that short. Either that or you really are in USDA 7 (the mountains).

I just got back from California today. There was so much blooming down there that I hated to leave. I was so happy when I turned into my driveway to see so many plants blooming in my yard also. The species crocus, snow drops, winter aconites, cyclamen coum, iris reticulatas, hepaticas,and hellebores were all glowing in the winter sun. My daffodils and flowering plums are full of buds. The lungworts are all starting to grow and are full of buds. I think spring is here! Karen

Even hotter Portland is often about 2 weeks ahead. California may some years have things in bloom at Christmas that usually come out in March here.

I have 3 kinds of snowdrops blooming, some of the smaller crocus, some of the hellebores are blooming with a lot more on the way, the winter jasmine is almost in full bloom, other things are just starting to show signs of life around here.

A......

I have snowdrops, hellebores, primrose, tulips coming up but can't see any crocuses yet. I love the last two days, spent hours tidying up, pruning, planning, and peering at the ground to see what is coming up. Feels like almost spring!

"I love the last two days, spent hours tidying up, pruning, planning, and peering at the ground to see what is coming up. Feels like almost spring!"

Isn't it fantastically great? I went to the nursery and bought pots and dirt that I really should have bought last fall. I can't wait to get to work!

I've got snowdrops, cyclamen, hellebores and crocus blooming, and anenomes *nearly* out. Daffs and tulips are still only a few inches high, but I'm ok with that. :) I took some photos last week, see below.

Amy in Victoria

Here is a link that might be useful: What's blooming

I just got back from Arizona and the first of my camelias is finally opening (Tom Knutsen). I have two daphne odoras and four sweetbox in front of my rec-room window that are blooming and I sure didn't smell nuttin' like that down south :-) I opened the windows and it filled the whole room with heaven.

I have half a dozen heaths blooming some have been in bloom for months and almost done.

Daphe odora opened this weekend. 'Summer Ice' has barely been out of bloom.

Primroses (standard grocery store varieties) have been in bloom for a couple weeks.

I have species crocus blooming and 'February Gold' daffodils. Many more bulbs on the way.

boxofrox, when the citrus trees bloom you can smell them from your car when you drive by with the windows open.
star jasmine, pittosporum tobira, gardenias and many others are very fragrant down south too. Daphne odora is in a class by herself though. :)

delphiniums,crocosmia,echinacea,,agastache,columbine, and one of my hostas all are just starting to show for me