April 2010 - Northern Hemisphere- Flowering now.

[JPB]

Tiny, but absolutely charming Hans - Does Viola palustris always have to be in the wet? It really is a gorgeous colour.

It likes to be in the wet, but is surprisingly resistant to periods of drought. It has a rather fleshy (creeping) root.
Despite the small size of the flowers (only 9mm wide), it is one of my favourites and it is found nearbymy home

[Zdenek]

On the 2nd April we had no snow already. During the following night however 24 cm of new snow felt. When it thawed two days later, I took this picture of Helleborus niger in the thawing snow.

[olegKon]

Chionodoxa albescens, tiny but nice

[Zdenek]

Here are four photos taken recently in my garden. The first two plants are 25 years old, the third 23 years.
Saxifraga burseriana 'Falstaff'
Saxifraga invingii 'His Majesty'
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Aethionema rotundifolia

[Zdenek]

And another three plants kept in pots:
Ray Fairbairn's Primula 'Allen Queen'
The same author's Primula marginata 'Allen Imperial'
And the relatively new species Primula albenensis

[gote]

The crocus are "Dutch vernus" in front of the south railway station here in Örebro. The yellow band in the back is Gagea lutea.
They are of course not in "my" garden but still very nice.
The chionodoxas are, however our own. The Eranthises are already over so we cannot claim to have the swedish colours 
These are also commercial Dutch stock from perhaps thirtyfive years ago. Obviously they are a hybrid swarm but the usually conform to two different types. Wide petals few flowers slightly lilac. Smaller flowers but several on reddish stalks with more true blue.
 "lucilie" and "forbesii" perhaps??
Göte

[Ragged Robin]

Here are four photos taken recently in my garden. The first two plants are 25 years old, the third 23 years.
Saxifraga burseriana 'Falstaff'
Saxifraga invingii 'His Majesty'
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Aethionema rotundifolia

Fantastic Saxes Zdenek - still looking young and fresh in spite of their years - love 'Falstaff'

[Ragged Robin]

The chionodoxas are, however our own. The Eranthises are already over so we cannot claim to have the swedish colours 
These are also commercial Dutch stock from perhaps thirtyfive years ago. Obviously they are a hybrid swarm but the usually conform to two different types. Wide petals few flowers slightly lilac. Smaller flowers but several on reddish stalks with more true blue.
 "lucilie" and "forbesii" perhaps?

What an superlative carpet of Chionodoxa in your garden Gote - what a magical scene to take a seat in 

I have two types of Chionodoxa that look just like your two both bought as C. "lucilie"

[Lvandelft]

some leaves

Astilboides tabularis                     
Salix moupinensis 

and some flowers

Lathyrus vernus Roseus
Iberis pruitii
Anemone pavonina

[Lesley Cox]

Wonderful crocuses and chionodoxas Gote. I think I'd be claiming the lot as my own.

The Saxifragas look good enough to eat. Why is it that even the very best restaurants don't offer saxifragas for dessert?

[gote]

Thank you Robin and Lesley. I wish i could claim to have done some hard work do get all those Chionodoxas 
The only thing I do is that I postpone the first moving of the grass and the postponing is not very strenous 
(I dare not use the word 'lawn' My English friends would not forgive me')
Göte

[Mike Ireland]

Robin, Wim Olga thanks for your comments.

Robin the scent from the Daphne is truly wonderful, and I would expect it to grow to 60cm, perhaps a little more.

Olga your photos are absolutely stunning, such unusual angles and lighting.

Gote the crocus & chionodoxas look wonderful.

Mike

[johnw]

In flower now after a miserable week of cold weather.  Luckily we managed to avoid the frost despite a skid of snow.

Soldanella alpina
Helleborus argutifolius
Shortia Leona
Rhododendron hodgsonii
Shortia uniflora

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

I just love those Shortias John.  They don't love me and my garden

[Olga Bondareva]

I just love those Shortias John. 

+1
Hope they will love my garden!