Harbingers of Spring

Ever since I moved to California, I've been privy to a late winter treat that I've never had before.  Amidst the cast away debris of winter, some plants perform so beautifully, that they are sorely missed later on even when everything else is in full bloom. 

In my garden, the green lush fragrant rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) explodes in periwinkle flowers. The happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea) vine blooms profusely with tiny sweet pea shaped lavender flowers. Even the lilac bushes put on a show stopping magenta array to sniff at. There's shy little piles of violets and primroses, cyclamen, and some budding roses, who are probably just confused.

They're just what I need to get motivated after hibernation.

Fiery skipper butterfly on rosemary. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)

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