I’ve started growing witch hazels that “spring-bloom”* in my quest to extend gardening season. In 2017, I planted three hybrids of Hamamelis intermedia, namely ‘Ripe corn,’ Orange Encore’, and Birgit. In 2017, I planted ‘Ripe Corn,’ Orange Encore and ‘Birgit-all Hamamelis x intermedia (hybrids of H. mollis). The other two plants were eaten by the birds during the winter. Last year, I planted a ‘Diane’, a ‘Pallida’, and H. vernalis. H. Vernalis, as it is known, is a native of the southeastern United States. It is hardy in USDA Zone 4b. The most recent thaw opened up a few of its blossoms.

The witch hazel vernal is the winner of the earliest bloom.

I admit the shrub only opened two or three blooms before the cold wave blew in. It was a little but powerful victory, nevertheless. I was surprised to find that ‘Diane,’ a one-year-old cutting, had five flower buds. I’ll post photos on Instagram, and FB when it blooms!

A few snowdrops (Galanthus spp. Snowdrops (em>Galanthus/em> spp.) were spotted in the Herb Garden, and the wettest area of the Secret Garden.

You might remember that the Herb Garden has the warmest microclimate of my garden. There is one spot in the Secret Garden where water seeps constantly. The soil there thaws faster, and the snowdrops appear earlier than their neighbors. My image archives show that snowdrops have bloomed by the end February of a few previous years. They are often covered in snow in March. According to the ten-day forecast, I do not expect to see snowdrops blooming in February this year.

I have warned my readers for years to plant the plants where the snow melts the first. In this case, the plants should be placed over the septic tanks.

In the fall of last year, I planted two Colorblends mixtures on this downhill side. These were Woodland Blend & Aladdin’s Carpet.

Some grape hyacinths are popping up from the mix, as well as a few other bulbous plants I could not identify.

It’s a poor soil and the grass is slow growing, so it won’t need to be cut before the foliage dies down. Yes, the septic will eventually need to be replaced, possibly right where the bulbs were planted, if something goes wrong. I am just betting that it will be much later and I will still have plenty of time to enjoy the early spring bloomers.

Inside the house, meanwhile. . .

This Rockin’ Fuchsia Salvia cutting, a trial plant from Proven Winners bloomed in my basement under the lights.

Cuttings was one of my challenges for this winter. I didn’t expect the cuttings would bloom. I probably should have removed the flowers, but I didn’t.

Hyacinth pushing is meeting with mixed results.

Look at the differences in the root growth of the bulbs above! I hope the bulbs with no roots are not dead, but just a different variety. I have a few bulbs left in the refrigerator. You could force them into soil, but you would miss out on the excitement of watching the roots grow. When the roots do not grow and the bulbs rot, it is no fun.

Each bulb produced two flowers.

The Colorblends mix produced these four (hopefully) different colors. I do not know the names of any of them.

During the last thaw I cut some branches of forsythia.

After a week, the flowers are in full bloom.

That was a success! Next, I’ll try forcing some quince to flower. Christine Froelich has published a great how-to on forcing branch for winter bloom. It reminded of some little tricks and tips (like trimming the branches to the right size outside).

By challenging myself to learn about plants through new techniques, research and growing unknown plants I grow as a gardening-and a person. Even failures can teach you something. I cage the witch hazels ‘Diane,’ ‘Pallida,’ ‘Ripe corn’ and Orange Encore to prevent them from suffering the same fate. What are your tricks for battling cabin fever?

The “spring-blooming” witch hazels are only spring-blooming to differentiate them from the fall blooming Hamamelis Virginiana. Winter-blooming is what most people call them, but it would confuse gardeners in cold climates. Mud-season blooming is more accurate.