spring chill

But as much as I enjoyed digging out shorts and t-shirt that I haven't seen in months, I don't wholly appreciate a day of warm harsh sunshine this early in spring.

Just like a grouchy, complaining gardener, you might say.

But early spring flowering bulbs and shrubs need a little chilled air, and a little cloudiness, to show off their blooms and to allow them an opportunity to extend their blooming life longer than a couple of days. Of course, harsh winds, a sudden freeze, a hard driving rain storm call all cut off this period as well.

Still, I hate to look at new opened daffodils wilt under harsh sunlight.

This morning, the air is color and there's a little moisture going on, and this is about right.

One of my neighbors in the townlet has a tulip poplar that is starting to put on its blooms. We're now hearing about a return to cold temps. She told me yesterday that they have only gotten three or four good blooms out of the tree in over 20 years of living in the neighborhood due to inclement later winter weather.