The cusp of spring
A Vermont spring is swift and ephemeral.
Spring in Vermont begins in late April, as the mountains take on a distinctly reddish tinge from the flowering trees. Gradually this is overtaken by a yellow-green haze creeping ever higher, as the trees leaf out in their predetermined order—first the aspen, then the maples, and finally the ash.
At ground level things the changes come more quickly. Already brilliant yellow marsh marigolds are filling low-lying wet areas.
And in the last couple of days, purple trillium, with its well-known triploid form, and the heart shaped leaves of wild ginger (Asarum canadense), are popping up at the edge of the road and in the woods and around the garden.
In the garden, flowers of hellebores, ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera, winter heath, primulas, epimedium and other spring flowers, take their place among the daffodils.
A male hummingbird seems to have settled into the garden for the season (as opposed to a single earlier sighting of one that was most likely stopping for a quick refresh before continuing his migration north up to Canada.)
One needs to look quickly and often to savor the fleeting sights of spring!