Welcome to Friday where we share bits and bobs of nature scenes around our neighborhood. So let’s get started and join our weekly hosts, Rosy, Sunny, Arty and Jakey from LLB in Our Backyard. Don’t forget to click on their link to check out what Blogville dished out for everyone’s enjoyment at their blog hop.
This week has been a dream for December weather. On Wednesday our temps were just shy of 70F and like a welcome mat to go for a mid-afternoon walk before the sun dips and cooler temps arrive. As I was walking the dogs along our usual route, we happened past a spot of bright yellow that caught my eye. At first glance I thought it might be a discarded wrapper but when I stopped to look closer, this is what I found.
I think this is a primrose that may have reseeded itself with the warm temps. The name comes from the Latin word “primus” meaning “first” or “early” and primrose do tend to be one of the first blooming plants in spring. Its leaves and flowers are edible and can be served in salad form. Young flowers of primrose have also been used in the manufacture of wine.
I’ve never grown primrose myself but decided to do a bit of research on this charming December surprise. Primrose are a herbaceous plant that belong to the family Primulaceae (primrose family). Originating from Europe, primrose prefer moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Primrose typically blooms from March to May. In mild winters, it could begin blooming in December though I suspect this one was protected enough to rebloom. You typically wouldn’t see this little gem blooming in December in Denver’s Zone 5.
Primrose was historically used in treatment of paralysis, gout and rheumatism. These days, a tincture of primrose can be used in the treatment of insomnia, restlessness, headache and cough. More historical info about the tiny primrose is that it was used in the preparation of magic potions during the Middle Ages. As a perennial plant, Primrose Day is celebrated on 19th April in the United Kingdom. I’m either early or late depending on your perspective.
We hope you enjoyed seeing a spot of color from our otherwise drab landscape and hope you can enjoy some outside time this weekend. We plan on staying busy in the kitchen making Christmas goodies because this just began a little bit ago.
Yup, snow. Welcome to the wild and wacky world of weather in Colorado. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Oh, it’s been warm here too! It’s cooled off since we got the rain storm, butts not that cold. I would loves to gets some snow! I know, only peeps who don’t have to LIVE in it, like it! BOL!!
Stay safe, and I hopes you keep finding surprise flowers to brighten your day!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Surprise flowers are always welcome, though a nice snow storm does a parched landscape good. Have a super week, Ruby. Stay dry, heard a new storm was forming in the PNW.
That primrose was representing the spring time best it could.
A total dumpster fire of a year from stem to stern. But it was nice seeing a spot of pretty for a moment. Have a great weekend.
Ain’t that the truth?
It’s hope, and we will gladly take it.
You too Monika.
Brrrrrr. It;s down to 45 here.
No doubt that’s chilly for you. In Colorado, that could be considered shorts and sandal weather. in December 😆
Even that dusting of snow looks pretty exciting to me. It doesn’t know anywhere near where we live and if it snows here over Christmas it will be confirmation that 2020 has been a very strange year.
I hope you are keeping well and safe. We hear terrible reports about the infection rates and deaths over there. Take care and I’m thinking of you!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Ro. It’s crazy here but didn’t need to be. The dogs and I are keeping a low profile, wear a mask whenever I have to grocery shop and just wish people would wear masks and socially distance. It would go a long way until a vaccine is readily available (which won’t be for many months.) It’s clear the US hasn’t learned any lessons from the panDAMNic in 1917 where they responded to a health crisis the same way as they are now. Stay safe, sane and keep smiling.
Good luck with the house renovations. It may be crazy now, but will be worth it when you’re finished. And the dogs will get used to the new flooring. Happy “Howlidays.”
That primrose spot of color is a beauty! Just the thing before a snowstorm…. Wait. What?
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I know, right?
Perennial – a word that perks my ears. I will have to check out where to get some primrose and when and how to plant it. Crazy weather, yep, fitting for crazy 2020.
Yup, the weather is just mirroring the rest of this dumpster fire of a year. Primrose should be available at any garden center (or box store) in early spring.
Cool, thanks. And as long as I am getting plant advice from you (I know next to nothing), should I cut back my bug-eaten, browning hostas? And my mum?
Not sure what you should do in your part of the country, I personally leave mine until spring. The brown tends to help insulate the plant from the cold. I’d probably mulch them though. 😉
Mulch them? Does that mean cover them up with mulch? (Seriously, I don’t understand, not making a joke, but you can laugh if you want.)
Not completely cover them. Just a mound around the base of the plant. It’ll help keep the roots protected.
Thanks!
I love primrose plants – such beautiful colors and because they can self-seed I’ve been amazed at the “blankets” of color some people get after several years even if they started with two or three plants! The best thing is they peek out at the BEST times…like on a snowy day. Just makes you smile!
Hugs, Pam
It’s one of those plants I’ve ignored in the past but will give it a second look next spring.
You caught a hazy shade of spring
I know! More proof that this whole year has been topsy-turvy. 🙃
Mom has never had much luck with primroses, but that yellow one sure is pretty. Now we Sibes would much rather have that snow here than flowers any day:)
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
I hear ya. The snow is especially nice in December. After that…I’d probably be good without. 😆
More weather weirding – love the stalwart primroses.
Who knew they could be so resilient? 😲
How wonderful to find a spot of beautiful color!!! We sure hope the snow doesn’t last long…
Never expected to find a yellow primrose in December in Denver, that’s for sure!
We’ll be in the 40’s next week and for here, that’s still pretty good. 😊
I wouldn’t know primrose even if it knocked on my door … so if you say that’s what it is, so be it. So far the late fall/early winter has been wacky, but hey – it’s only early December. Have a good weekend.
You’re too funny! Yes the weather is uber weird these days. Weird or not, let’s hear it for the weekend!
Cheers … starting with apperol, soda, and a splash of bourbon.
What a pretty yellow! That bottom picture sure reminds me of my old yard in Arvada at this time of year. I could not wait for spring!
Spring will be a long time off. I’ll just have to content myself with my photo roll till it arrives. Have a great weekend.
Love the bright, sunny primrose!! Thanks for sharing her!!
Have a great weekend!! Tail wags and hugs from Ducky n me!!
Glad it provided you with a spot of cheer. Hugs and tail wags to you guys. Hope your weekend is ‘pawtacular!’
It’s always nice to see some color this time of year! You can keep the snow though! BOL!
Snow’s not that bad. It’s the relentless cold I can do without. 😉 Have a great weekend.
You have just as much snow as we here. A primrose is a real surprise, normally a sihn of spring.
That’s what I thought too. Such a nice respite to find in December. Have a good weekend with ear rubs for Kosmo. 😸
I loved seeing the primrose. Some folks here have them in pots. They are so colorful. Thanks you, Monika.
Yes, they typically are sold for pots here too. A cheerful little flower I hadn’t noticed much before. I always thought they were annuals!
😊
“Purrty little Primrose
nestin inn THE earth
Yore sunny color
shiness thru so brite’…
bringin HOPE to all who see you.
Purrty little Primrose…”
bye BellaDharma with **purrss** an <3
Another fine poetry moment, sweet kitty. Stay safe and warm this weekend.
Will due Miss Monika an Elsa an Norman!! 😉
Thanx fore THE compleemint too….
I was reminded of the old song lyrics: “Primrose Lane, Life’s a holiday on Primrose Lane.” Then I googled the tune and found it was released in 1959. Now I don’t like you anymore It’s your fault I feel old. Am old. Whatever. How dare you.
Welcome to the club! Just be grateful we still get a discount when shopping. So long as we remember to ask for it. 😈
P.S. We’re even, you planted an earworm.
Remember a discount? You ask a lot. I barely remember breakfast.
🤣
What a delightful discovery! We are having rather warm temps right now (though not THAT) warm (40) and it was such a joy to take my 25-minute walk to work this morning. And yesterday and the day before!
40 in December IS warm! But 70? Paradise. Happy weekend.
Yeah… that’s not a temp we often see here at this time! That’s cray-cray!
It’s practically insane!
Nutsoid!
And I thought our weather was a crazy roller coaster ride! We got the snow end of that, but the highest temps we might see this week are low 40’s. 🙂
I have evening primrose that comes up in my garden every spring into summer. I never knew it had medicinal uses! Interesting!
The medicinal uses weren’t known to me either. I like finding out about things I encounter in the ‘hood. Yeah, the weather is crazy here. Unseasonably warm and now a snowstorm. Have a great weekend!
Beautiful nature. It looks so very cold though.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
It is today but the day I took the photo of the primrose, it was just shy of 70F. People were walking around in shirt sleeves and shorts.
We had a little rain during the early morning hours, but temps are in the lower 70s again.
Anytime the temperatures are in the 70’s I feel like I’m in heaven.
I love that pop of color. There’s something symbolic about hope despite gloomy conditions. Thanks for sharing! And I love that CO has wacky weather. Keeps it interesting.
Isn’t that something? Especially when the landscape around here is so drab and dreary. Happy weekend!
your streets look promising, we all would stay at home, no one can handle snow on da street here ;O) … I saw our primsoses flowering too, they are tiny but they really came out ;O)
I’m so used to see nothing but brown this time of year so whenever I see something this bright and cheerful, I have to stop and investigate. Happy weekend.
Trust me, people aren’t all that great at driving in snow here either. 😈