You can see an exquisite display of Saucer Magnolia in bloom in East Hampton. (Block)

East Moriches - Although a garden in winter can be very intriguing with textural interest and unique silhouettes, after this year's winter of weekly snow storms, I am sure all of us would welcome any bits of spring color!

Good news! Winter's days are already outnumbered and spring is just weeks away. Now, the days are slowly getting longer, if only by a precious minute. Take comfort in that and look forward to the first spring blooms that are soon to arrive.

Here are some gorgeous flowers that Mother Nature has in store for us here in the Hamptons:

Celebrated as a sign of spring, Snowdrops can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they have been naturalized, replacing winter's blanket of snow. They may not even wait for the snow to melt before pushing right up through the snow - a delightful sight for the winter-weary! Snowdrops can show up weeks before crocuses do, producing flowers that look like three drops of milk hanging from a stem.


Just across from the pond in East Hampton, you will see an exquisite display of Saucer Magnolia in bloom - one of the most spectacular deciduous flowering trees. Its flowers are large, goblet-shaped and cover the stems of the tree just before the leaves emerge. They eventually open into a "saucer" position. These fragrant flowers vary in color from deepest purple to lightest pink to pure white. This medium to slow growing tree makes a wonderful specimen, and is very effective in groupings for its impressive bloom display.

Sensation French Lilac is dramatic. (Block)

An old fashioned favorite, Tatarian Honeysuckle is bathed in stunning bright pink flowers that resemble butterflies. It also features an abundance of magnificent red berries from mid to late summer. It is a good choice for attracting birds, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. As a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth, it is best used as screening and mass plantings.

It's a "sensation" of color and fragrance when lilacs are in bloom, as seen in this photo of Sensation French Lilac. Dramatic, bi-color blooms of purple elegantly trimmed in white, cover this lilac, filling the air with their sweet scent. Lilac flowers are widely used in spring bouquets and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They are beautiful in borders and as a small specimen flowering tree.

As this year's snow slowly but surely melts away, Mother Nature will soon give us much anticipated first signs of spring, sending our spirits high. What will you see in your garden?