Up until a day or so ago I had always thought of miniature iris as reticulata and blue in color. Last year though I purchased a mixed bag of miniature iris and the colors are far from dark blue. Mine include a burgundy/maroon color and a delicate pale blue.

When I went back to the catalogue and checked my order, it seems that the pale blue are a variation of the reticulata and, although the page does list an I. histrioides which looks definitely like my little guy. Matching pictures is the only way I can assess this because I have not idea how the it is different from a reticulata except in color. 

After a few cool to cold days when I didn't get out to the garden very much, we have had a couple of lovely mild days and the crocus watch is finally over! Since I first noticed the crocus leaves, to that first hint of color , I have been patrolling the area tow or three times a day - waiting for them to open fully. Today they did!!

The first crocus fully opened March 7th, 2012

While I was waiting for the crocus to open though the rest of the garden was also coming to life. I almost missed the little snowdrops that are now in full flower in the perennial bed. I am not sure how I missed them as they are in the same area as the bird feeders, so I have to pass them every day, but I was just not looking maybe. The other surprise was the little iris reticulata which was off in the new perennial bed. These tiny iris bloom very early and look wonderful with either yellow crocus or the small Emporor tulips. Most of the time I do not grow tulips as they are eaten by deer, but this year I seem to have forgotten both yellow crocus and tulips! If they do not show up soon I will have to put them on the order for next year.

Iris reticulata

It is no surprise to anyone that everything is just a little bit early this year. From Washington's cherry blossoms in February the march of spring would seem to be underway. In my own garden, newly awarded a zone 6 status, I have the first signs of the seasonal changes. The witch-hazel is in bloom! 

When I checked my images from last year the witch-hazel bloomed on March 19th - that is a full 5 weeks from now. Elsewhere in the garden the crocus are coming up alongside daffodils and a few tulip leaves. The mint and other perennials barely went totally dormant so are still holding their own. Once the crocus bloom it will be just a few weeks before the daffodils start and the real feel of spring will be here.

Of course there is still the concern that some of these things will get a nasty zap if we get an arctic blast - it is only the beginning of February. With no snow cover, and still no real snow in the forecast, we have no insulation on the ground to protect the young leaves. I am confident that most things will do just fine though.