Lotus, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 2013 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Nothing lifts my heart like the return of spring. In Northfield, Minnesota, the first floral sign has arrived. Now, visible through the winter-burnt grasses are the stalwart, yellow-green spears of Scilla siberica, the deep blue flowers, also know as wood squill, that always come first. Last year, they took over the town in late April only to taken over by a heavy blanket of snow. Twice. Once in May!

Spring is a process, though, and takes longer to unfold here than at many latitudes. When I was in graduate school, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, I marveled at the short winter. I can recall phoning a friend in Wisconsin one February and reporting: “This town is filled with flowering azaleas and I am wearing shorts”. Now when I am impatient for spring, continually asking myself, “Are we there yet?”, I take heart in looking at my sister’s beautiful images of flowers from the deep south. I hope that wherever you live, you will enjoy this bouquet.

Azalea, Calaway Gardens, 2009 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Spring Forest, Calaway Gardens, 2009 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Wood Violet, Macon, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Wild Azalea, Calaway, 2009 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Daisy, Atlanta, 2012 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Green Flower, Calaway Gardens, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Hibiscus, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 2006 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Dogwood, Calaway Gardens, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Daisy, Calaway Gardens, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Honeysuckle, Macon, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Trumpet Creeper, Macon, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Mountain Laurel, Calaway Gardens, 2009 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Magnolia, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 2011 (photo: Karla Schultz)