The spiraea prunifolia (aka Button or Popcorn spirea) have burst into bloom, and some of the flower buds on the flowering almond are starting to open. Sweetest surprise, when I went out to fill the bird feeders this evening, was to see a solitary clump of Quakers Ladies in bloom. They occur throughout my yard, and I will watch eagerly now to see them gradually create a low, pale blue mist of color across the lawn. The sepals on the dogwoods are just starting to open. I have one, squirrelly scrawny little redbud (I think, from looking at the base, the previous owner cut it down due to some kind of disease, and then let a couple of pollarded sprouts alone to regrow) It is feebly blooming. It had been in the shadow and the water zone of the big oak that died and was taken down late last summer. Nearby is an equally scrawny little dogwood. I have been tempted to take both of them out ever since I moved in. Think I'll watch and see how they do with a little more sun and with less competition for water this year before I decide.

We may still have a bit of a cold snap, or an unexpected hard freeze, but Spring has definitely arrived in this little piece of the southern part of heaven.