late signs of spring

The heleborus is one of the first flowers to bloom in my garden. They are a woodland perennial, and like partial shade, and rich moist soil. These nodding, downward facing flowers will last through most of the summer. Gradually their colour will fade, but they are still beautiful.

The first spider web of the season is a beautiful thing. Invisible till it's touched with dew first thing on a misty morning.

15 years ago, I planted 3 dead-looking sticks that promised to be ostrich ferns. One I actually planted upside down in the fall. In the spring, I dug it up, flipped it around, and it thrived. The lesson: when in doubt, plant sideways.