Spring flowers

Summer solstice occurred just two days ago. I feel like this past spring was more beloved than any other due to record-breaking and long winter. I love Chicago but our winters are torturous! It was great to finally see the ground after four months of snow cover. Spring blooms were so delightful to see and smell for those of us who were winter-weary.

In celebration of spring, here are pics of my favorite April, May and early June blooms as seen in gardens around the neighborhood and the flower markets:

snowdrops are one of the earliest spring flowers to bloom and often don't wait for the snow to melt before emerging

tulips, of course (may's flower of the month)

anemones

sweet peas

daffodils (April's flower of the month)

 hyacinths - smells like heaven

magnolias

grape hyacinths (aka muscari)

lilacs - smells so amazing it breaks my heart

peonies, the queen bee of the season (also June's flower of the month)

ranunculus (March's flower of the month)

irises

And now, bring on the summer flowers! Hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, zinnias and more!!!

Flower of the month: daffodils

This month, we are celebrating daffodils (or narcissus if you speak Latin!). I love them mainly because they are some of the first flowers to appear after a long, snowy and cold winter. Bright yellow daffodils poking their heads above snow-covered ground is a promise of warmer, sunnier days ahead!

 a simple arrangement of daffodils at home

Scenes from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Daffodils are currently in bloom at the botanic garden as well as around town.