The Garden Squad series by Julia Henry
In the winter I'm spoiled to have wonderful greenhouse, but even then, February is cold. So I've taken to forcing bulbs, creating a pop of nature's colors against the bleak midwinter sky. Hyacinths are a particular favorite.
My friend Delia and I have taken to scouring antique shops for Victorian jars that were dedicated to the purpose. That adds another element to this winter hobby.
Yes, forcing bulbs can get me through the winter until I can get outdoors. Some folks suggest that I go south for the winter, but leave Goosebush? Never. There's too much going on in my little town, not all of it good.
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Pruning the Dead is the first in the new Garden Squad mystery series by Julia Henry! To celebrate the release, I'm going to give two commenters randomly chosen a copy of Pruning. Leave your email in the comment, and let me know what your favorite flower is this time of year. I'll choose the winner on February 23!
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Posts
I think pansies are pretty. (Irises are my very favorite flower tho.) turtle6422 at gmail dot com
ReplyMy favorite flowers for winter are in the same family: violas and pansies. I like how they overwinter in window boxes and how their sweet faces poke out of the snow and brighten the landscape with purples and yellows.
ReplyI forgot to leave my email. amwiden(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyI am in Alabama so we have daffodils popping up right now. So pretty.
ReplyWendy
[email protected]
I do like tulips and bleeding hearts.
Replydebby236 at gmail dot com
Nothing is showing under the snow, but I have begonias growing in the house in anticipation of spring. [email protected]
ReplyTulips are beautiful and very special and I plant pansies which last all winter long into the Spring.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI like carnations during the winter to give some color inside the house
Replysgiden at verizon(.)net
My favorite flowers are tulips. Ever since I planted them in our garden I love their colors and beauty. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyWe have Camellia bushes in bloom right now and the flowers are beautiful.
ReplyMy favorite flowers this time of year are my beautiful African Violets. Every day I look at their colorful blooms and they get me through till Spring. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyForcing bulbs such as Paperwhites, hyacinths and snowdrops definitely brighten our surrounds inside during the cold winter days. It is a wonderful idea for those who are residents of a care center. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyWe have the good fortune to live in south Florida, so the winters aren't impossible.
ReplyThat said, summers can be too hot for a lot of plants (and people!).
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Tulips and daffodils have small shoots just popping up [email protected]
ReplyI love seeing the tulips popping up & bloomi g
Reply[email protected]
My favorite flower in the winter would have to be store bought. I like to pick up a bouquet of mixed flowers during the winter. Can't wait to see the tulips popping up this spring. It's been a long winter.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
A few daffodils are sprouting, and I love their promise of spring.
Replybrowninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love it when the daffies start to bloom. netttiem(at)toledotel(dot)com
ReplyThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplySounds like a great book. I'm not sure I have just one favorite flower.I love them all !! But I'll pick Iris because my Mom use to have a ton of them blooming outside her bedroom window. They remind me so much of her and how much I miss her. nvictoria77(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI love gardenias any time of year.
ReplyThanks for the chance to win! This time of year I like blooming cactus that I have indoors. I am looking forward to summer when the flowers are blooming outside. I live at 10.000’ in the mountains so there aren’t too many flowers I can grow that the animals don’t get.
Replyfaithdcreech at gmail dot com
tulips
Replyjtcgc at yahoo dot com
Love both the smell and the pretty delicate looking flowers on a Hyacinths - especially the light purple ones. Also love the smell of gardenias and hydrangeas, a one flower is bouquet. remind me of my Granny who grew them.
ReplyWe love to garden veggies and flowers and use to have a huge garden. Little over a year ago we moved from the extreme southern part of the state to the upper northern part. You would think staying in the same state would change things, but it definitely has. The winters are longer and colder than before. Also where we use to be all sun, we are mostly shade now plus it's very rocky (live in STONE county LOL). So after all these years, it's a new learning experience for us. Plus as we grow older we are slower and tire easier it seems. We will eventually get back to growing a garden, but not as big as before. However, I started on the flowers as soon as we got moved it. Since we have an iris festival in town, naturally the first bulbs I planted were purple iris.
Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy of "Pruning the Dead"! Love the cover and can't wait for the opportunity to read the book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
My favorite flower this time of year is the crocus. I love that it blooms when it's still technically winter. Congratulations on the new release! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI always enjoy tulips. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
ReplyI love flowers, Lansing, raising, and fresh tomato’s, right out of the garden!
ReplyLilies are my favorite - especially stargazer lilies.
Replybrookeb811 at gmail(.)com
My favorite flower all year long is carnations!
Replyteddi1961(at)arcemont(dot)com
I love it when the daffodils start coming up, and hyacinths too.
Reply[email protected]
Camellias are my favorite!
Replymarthalawson8 at gmail dot com
Nothing much is blooming right now, but my daffodils are coming up.
Replykaye.killgore(at)comcast(dot)net
I love tulips but this time of year they need to be indoors in a vase. With a couple pennies thrown in to keep them standing tall and beautiful. Thanks for the chance!
Reply[email protected]
My favorite flower is a yellow rose! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyMy favorite is lilacs and I have Christmas flowers blossoming now. In Wisconsin I have to wait until the end of May for flowers outside.
ReplyDaffodils are such a happy, bright flower.
Replymarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
My favorite are tulips. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyLiving in the northeast corner of Ohio along the shores of Lake Erie, no flower will survive in our sub-zero temps
Replyunless they are inside our houses. Come Spring, I love the appearance of crocus, daffodils and tulips. Also the buds
on our lilac tree start to appear. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com.
When spring comes, the crocus break through and look adorable. Cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com
ReplyI love daisies anytime. kckendler at gmail dot com
ReplyMy favorite flowers are roses and pansies.
ReplyKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Azaleas are showing up around us right now. I enjoy Amaryllis that are beginning to pop up as well. My daughter in law bought me a pot of hyacinth, crocus and daffodils that I have enjoyed. gda523(at)comcast(dot)net
ReplyMy favorites this time of year are camellias.
ReplyDaffodils and Irises are my favorite.
Replysheilarbales(@)Gmail(dot)com
I agree with Kathleen (above) I like daisies anytime. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyFor spring, tulips are the best! anajs95 at gmail dot com
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