Country Diary of a Lady: Snow in March & Orchids

It is March. And while I am ready for spring, the weather is not ready to cooperate with me on this matter as of yet.  This morning, it was snowing.

Yesterday, the sun was shining and the snow had been melting somewhat.  The sunshine felt warm.  I packed up the rest of the winter decor in my living room, and hung origami butterflies around my windows.  

My Amaryllis blooming has helped a little with the type of cabin fever that brews at this time of the year. I have two beautiful open blooms at the moment, and a third is opening while the fourth on the first blossom stalk is  a little behind.  Then, I have a second bud stalk well developed.

So, what do I do when I need my "green" fix?  I go and visit Forth Floral in downtown Rhinelander, WI.  The fourth generation florists and greenhouse.

At the moment, they are putting on their yearly Orchid Event.  So, while it was snowing and blowing outside, I paused and took a deep breath of the scent of green and growing things mixed with the sweet scents of orchids.

A tall papyrus plant silhouetted against the exterior of the greenhouse, highlighting the wintry weather outside.

Here is a small selection of the beautiful orchids that they had on display.  Many are actually from local gardeners, and are loaned to Forth Floral for the show.

There were other flowers there as well.  Many Amaryllis still blooming, as well as some gorgeous tulips!

 This amaryllis is similar in coloring to the one that I possess (which I purchased from Forth Floral last year).  This year, my pinks are much more delicate.

 Some absolutely gorgeous ruffled tulips (parrot tulips?) Loved their coloring!

 Also, some lovely double tulips in a soft pink.

And some classic red and white tulips.

 There were these beauties as well.  I'm not certain what family they belong to.  The leaves on the orange and yellow one reminded me more of a bromiliad than an orchid, but I do not know.

 Either way, I thought that they were especially lovely!

So, I am managing to survive this wintry day in March.  I have the return of the Finches as well as the knowledge that the horses have begun to shed their winter coats to keep me moving forward!

Spring will come!