In South Africa we celebrate the first day of September as Spring Day marking the coming of the spring season. It is the only day that most schools allows casual dress instead of the normal school uniform and many primary school children will be taking flowers to the eldery in homes, young girls (and some older ones) will pin a flower in their hair and generally we all welcome the anticipated coming of warmer weather with a spring in our step (pun intended!). Birds are making nests, and deciduous trees are sprouting new growth and love is in the air!
I’ve finished my fertilising, most of the composting and I’ve spent the last few mornings checking all the flowering plants for new buds and flowers and I’m being richly rewarded. To celebrate the the first day of spring I’m sharing my favourite buds – the ones I’m most excited about seeing in bloom …
[one_half]First Oriental lilies in bud
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[one_half_last]Ixia buds
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[one_half]More Ixias in bud
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[one_half_last]Ranunculas in bud
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[one_half]Buds and berries on the Nandinas
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[one_half_last]The Clivias are about to bloom
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[one_half]Murraya Exotica covered in buds
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[one_half_last]First Delphinium blooms
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[one_half]First blossom on the Prunus sp.
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[one_half_last]Tibouchina bud
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[one_half]Makhaya Bella buds
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[one_half_last]Mandevilla Splenens
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[one_half]Love all the new foliage
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[one_half_last]Freesias are in bud or flowering
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PS: According to Wikipedia, In South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, spring begins on 1 September, and has no relation to the vernal equinox.
Happy Spring Day to all!
xxx
8 replies on “Happy Spring Day”
Even though I am a day late, I still want to wish you a happy spring, too, Christine! This time of the year is always the most exciting one and I am glad that through blogging I can participate in yours, even though we are getting into autumn here. You have quite some lovely spring buds there! The Murraya Exotica is a ‘new to me’ plant. I have to look it up. I am surprised that you can grow delphiniums. I would have guessed it is too hot in your climate.
Christina
Hi Christina – Thanks for your Spring wishes. Our climate here where I live in Cape Town is very similar to yours in San Diego (so I hear from friends who have emigrated to SD). I’ve planted the Delphiums in quite a cool spot in my garden though, under a tree. They will get some sun there, but not direct middle of the day type heat, so I’m hopeful …
Wow, you guys are way ahead of me. I’ve just noticed the first crabapple blossom this morning – but isn’t it just so lovely?
Alison, Crab Apple is just too beautiful!! We can’t get them here for love or money – although I have seen one in a public garden. Stunning – I would so love one. I’ve wondered if they grow from cuttings … I might have to sneak a cutting 🙂
Happy Spring Day! I LOVE all your newbie buds coming through! I forgot all the spring celebrations we did as school kids! Well, I will certainly make it up this spring! 🙂
Happy Happy Spring my Buddy!!
What beautiful traditions Christine…sounds like a lovely way to usher in a new season! I wish I could say September 1 is the beginning of autumn here; 103F called for in today’s forecast!
Hi Cat … I hope you get some respite from the heat soon!