Frogs, Bogs & the Perky Primrose

Earlier than I've ever seen them bloom, Primrose are in step with the Crocus this year.

They're not the only ones to get a jumpstart on springtime. A chorus of bog frogs gently serenaded me as I putzed around the garden last night.

I s'pose that has something to do with our massive snow melt and lots of ooey, gooey mud.

Half the nature preserve (across the road from me,) has turned into a bog and that's inspired Columbia Spotted Frogs to burst into song.

It's nice to know that somebody enjoys Mud Month...

Polyanthus Primroses (above) are usually the ones that show up in Walmarts, and grocery stores. Misunderstood little gals who tend to croak as soon as you bring them home and stick them in a sunny window.

They like it cold. Really cold. And, wet. After I murdered a few hundred of them, I wised up and transplanted the latest victims next to a Cat Mint shrub. She drapes over the baby Primroses during hot, dry summers, keeping them cool. (Probably the only reason they survive.)

Other Primrose varieties are a whole lot tougher.

Pink Evening Primrose blooms all day and closes up at night (go figure.) She's a goodie for the southwest because she absolutely loves hot, dry, miserable summers.

Yellow Evening Primrose does what's expected of her, blooming in the evenings with a very pretty fragrance.

Everybody seems to have a special favorite...


* Maguire's Primrose (Primula maguirei) is a common wildflower found in the Utah Mountains.