I planted bulbs for standard bright red tulips, and purple iris of the variety “Caesar's Brother”. I decided to place some in the ground in front of hedges, and others in pots. They were already sprouted inside the packaging, and I now have the stems extending about 2 inches out of the soil. For most bulbs, it's recommended to get them in before the first frost (which in places where the weather's more extreme, could be November/December), but I hope my planting them in late January wasn't too much of a delay. I've only been noticing frosts overnight during the past 3 weeks. I've never tried irises before, but have appreciated them in other yards nearby, so figured they were a smart choice. I've had tulips in the past, and especially liked the “Orange Queen” ones, but apparently in this warmer-winter climate the bulbs rarely come up the next year and so are treated as annuals.

We're full swing into camellia season, with more flowers open every day. I was worried when seeing squirrels nibbling on the unopened buds (Our neighborhood population of these cute critters has definitely increased. I am partly to blame since I feed them), but they haven't eaten the entire bud in most cases, so our February blooms are still bountiful.

As I've explored the yard on these chilly, wet days, there's more than flowers to study: such as the familiar winter foliage of rusty-hued ivy and hydrangea leaves, and cheerful red berries on the cotoneaster.

Not much going on yet in the vegetable patch, other than the rhubarb re-appearing and one hardy mustard plant. It's likely been too cold, with few really sunny days, for recently-planted spinach and radishes to sprout. I've not yet gotten around to seeding a new round of peas. I'm purchasing more of one of my favorite natural fertilizers, Early Starter, to help those little greens and veggies thrive in the chilly early spring days still to come.