Hi GPODers!
A couple of weeks ago, we shared a glorious garden update from Lee in the Mohawk Valley of central New York State (check that post out here if you missed it: Lee’s Spring Garden in the Mohawk Valley). That submission was a somewhat traditional look at the beautiful blooms that brought color to his garden during the spring season, but Lee occasionally gifts us with a more unconventional perspective. Whether that’s a view of his garden through the eyes of an ant (Lee’s Garden Through the Eyes of an Ant) or flower close-ups that reveal tons of hidden details in each bloom (Flower Close-Ups from Lee’s Garden), Lee encourages us all to view our plants in different ways to better appreciate their beauty.
Greetings GPODers,
I’m doing something a bit different here in that even though there are many plants in bloom, I want to submit a current collection of “pre-blooms” that join the existing current blooms.
I find that the pre-bloom period of all plants, similar to sprouting time for plants in early springtime, is quite interesting, and it can amp up the anticipation for the forthcoming blooms. And even though pre-blooms aren’t the most glorious of things to witness, they provide a look at a specific part of the plants’ seasonal journey. Watching those buds develop as they approach their bloom is more dynamic than I recognized earlier in my gardening years.
So, with all this said, here’s some pre-blooms from the Mohawk Valley in central New York State.
Peace
Lee
As Lee so perfectly describes above, the pre-bloom period is an aspect of a plant’s growth that doesn’t often get attention but contains plenty of interesting changes. This lily plant is showcasing many different stages of bud development, from the smaller green buds that slowly grow and shift in color until revealing a preview of the vibrant flower that will follow.
Buds also have fascinating forms that can offer the same kind of interest we look to seed heads to provide later in the season. The garden beds behind this large lily plant are a gorgeous collection of color and texture, but the creamy green, oblong buds are a fabulous architectural element.
Anyone who says that buds are boring just isn’t looking close enough! Even if their more subdued displays aren’t enough to admire, the excitement of the upcoming blooms make them worthy of appreciation.
Here’s another example of some colorful pre-blooms, this time in a spectacular creamsicle orange.
Where color is already abundant, like these beds filled with blooms, buds are the backup players that signal more color is just around the corner.
And in areas where color is currently limited, like this section of rich green foliage, a couple of bright pink buds brings instant added interest before the real explosion of color begins.
Lastly, this flurry of blooms is like the opening act of a legendary performance. With buds all at roughly the same point in development, this floral show is about to be spectacular. It may have been the pink blooms we saw in Lee’s submission a couple of weeks ago.
Thank you so much for this sampling of your pre-blooms, Lee! As the growing season marches on, it can be easy to get lost in current garden needs and feel frustrated in areas where there is a lull in activity. Your submission is a fantastic reminder that buds are still a sign of garden success, and they can be appreciated for what they are, just as the spectacular blooms they produce will be.
Whether your plants are in pre-bloom, full bloom, or post-bloom, we’d love to see what has been happening in your garden so far this growing season. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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