The winter honeysuckle smells sweet and serene. Tiny white blossoms are unfurling. I moved the vase with its four little branches to the bedroom. The smell is helplessly alluring.
The witch hazel has finally given it up for me, and is allowing a very slight but very intoxicating spicy scent to wash over me at odd times when I am not looking, and especially when I am not expecting it. Unnerving.
The sunny forsythia is opening bright and happy, the yellow cornelian cherry is making moves to open, and the pink buds of the Dawn viburnum are ever so slightly looser, and promise a scent that I can't quite detect yet.
You cannot imagine the sensory dissonance here today.
Outside all is white and colorless and cold, as the falling snow slowly devours any landscape features. Inside, the heady scents of delicate spring blooms surprise me at strange times, not all the time, but every once in a while as I roam from window to window to monitor the storm.
If you are going to bring branches into the house for forcing, do it a week before a Nor'easter bears down on you.
The sensory contrast is extraordinary.
How wonderful to have a little touch of spring inside on such a dreadful day outside! Even better that the scents are not overpowering but slightly intoxicating!
ReplyDeleteChristy, I can't stand strong perfume, so the slight whiffs I am getting from these forced branches is just perfect.
DeleteContrast indeed! I had no idea that the east coast was getting such a storm! The branches that you are forcing are striking with the dark blue background. I find that many of the foliage colors I like outside are the same colors I use to decorate my house. Like your shot above I'm drawn to the pairings of blues and yellows! So glad you have that stunning arrangement to look at during the storm!
ReplyDeleteNicole, I agree about colors inside and out. I find I use strong colors in my gardens (I'm always charmed by dark red flowers and glowing fall foliage) and I have deep colors indoors too.
DeleteBest of luck through the storm Laurrie. I hope all goes well. What fun to have a few blooms to remind you that this storm will soon pass.
ReplyDeleteLisa, we are really hunkering down here. It's kind of cozy : )
DeleteWe too are having the same weather. I surmise the worst is to come by what they are predicting. BTW, I added your link to your comment in my post. They way you sign in does not leave your link for others to use. Thanks for your long comment too.
ReplyDeleteDonna, thanks for the heads up about the broken link. It took me a while to figure out wordpress to fix it, but I hope I have now. Linking to other commenters, and having them visit my link, is what your latest blog post highlights!
DeleteHow cozy to have forsythia blooming inside while the storm rages. Stay safe and warm!
ReplyDeleteJason, the storm rages and we are warm and safe. Thanks!
DeleteIt does sound cozy - snow outside, flowers inside. Get the fireplace going and it will be a perfect winter day.
ReplyDeleteSarah, a perfect scenario all around.
DeleteYour timing was perfect!
ReplyDeleteHeather, yes, it's all about the timing, and you need to coordinate your weather events a good 10 days in advance!
DeleteSounds divine!
ReplyDeleteBecc, thanks-- it is!
Deleteforcing bulbs and branches....funny plants Ive never heard of....sometime I wish to lived up north....
ReplyDeleteSharon, you really would not like to be up north tonight!! Definitely not tonight.
DeleteI just took photos of my witch hazel yesterday but did not think to bring it inside! And now the wind is howling!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I hope your witch hazel is bloomier than mine. And more fragrant outside. After the wind dies down and on a nicer warm day, go out and cut off a few branches to bring indoors!
DeleteOh, I wish I could smell them through the computer! Snow is beautiful, but that's quite a lot you guys are supposed to get. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteIndie, the scent is so delicate, you have to get your nose right up to the monitor : ) Yeah, we're having a bit of snow here tonight.
DeleteLaurrie--Jumped over here from Donna's GWGT post. Hope you are keeping warm during winter Storm "Nemo." LOVE your colorful, delightful banner! Also loved the photos/narrative in your "before-and-after" post. I've just subscribed to your posts through the "Atom" link! --John
ReplyDeleteDidn't intend for my name to get left off--John Robinson
DeleteJohn, thanks so much. I'm glad you stopped by to visit and enjoyed what you read. We survived storm Nemo, but had no heat. Fixed now after shoveling out the gas vent on the side of the house, which got buried. What a storm!
DeleteHow wonderful to have this bit of spring in your home while it's so wintery outside. I can think of no better way to enjoy a snowstorm than to be inside, warm, and enjoying spring's fragrances.
ReplyDeleteHolleyGarden, if it has to snow so much, it's best to be inside smelling spring while it does!
DeleteWhat I wouldn't do for a few spicy blooms today. Great forethought bringing those stems inside. I'm using wine and cheese to console myself during the blizzard along with some nursery catalogues.
ReplyDeleteMarguerite, I like your blizzard plans - wine and cheese and some plant shopping!
DeleteHow wonderful it must be to have those blooms indoors in contrast to our winter landscape. I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteJoene, it's a delight. Now, a day later, the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) has fully opened too, and it is a lovely soft yellow. All look so nice against the windows with the snow outside
DeleteHow fabulous to have all those fragrant branches blooming right now. :o) I like your description of the contrast of the snow and the blooming branches as dissonant. So perfect!
ReplyDeleteTammy, it really was the perfect contrast -- grim snow and fragrant flowers!
DeleteWelcome color during a monotone period. Hope the garden doesn't suffer any problems with the weight of snow.
ReplyDeleteRob, the plow came last night and piled snow up on top of my shrubs and some small saplings. I may not see them again until April -- if they survived. Yikes.
DeleteHowdy! I arrived here through your comment on the Garden Walk Garden Talk post about blogging and thought I would check out your blog. After I got done chuckling at the title and admiring the terrific photos, I figured I should probably subscribe so I make sure to read all your future posts. I lived in CT for several years in Middletown, worked in downtown Hartford, and remember summer gardening season well. And in my humble opinion I don't think there's anything that rivals fall in New England.
ReplyDeleteEl Gaucho, welcome --- I'm glad this visit reminded you of your time in CT. You're right, there is no better place to be in fall than right here!
DeleteThey really are quite beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBernie, thanks!
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