There is in all things a pattern that is part of our universe. It has symmetry, elegance, and grace – these qualities you find always in that the true artist captures. You can find it in the turning of the seasons, the way sand trails along a ridge, in the branch clusters of the creosote busy of the pattern of its leaves. We try to copy these patterns in our lives and in our society, seeking the rhythms, the dances, the forms that comfort. Yet, it is possible to see peril in the finding of ultimate perfection. It is clear that the ultimate pattern contains its own fixity. In such perfection, all things move towards death.
Frank Herbert, Dune
In our yard early Hellebore flowers are my first signal that winter has turned the corner and spring is on its way. These blushing white blooms look a little worse for the wear after pushing their way through last summer’s leaves but in the words of Frank Hebert there is symmetry in nature’s pattern. Each season comes in time and while blooming summer perfection inevitably moves towards death it also gives life and nourishment for the new season’s beauty.
Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Symmetry.
Northwest Frame of Mind 
Lucky you! I saw crocus blooming in Vancouver 2 weeks ago!
Meanwhile, we are still blanketed y the white stuff here in TO.
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Every single crocus bulb I’ve planted has been eaten by squirrels but at least I can enjoy them in other yards… So sorry about your endless winter!
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Yes. This is one of the places poetry comes from.
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Inspiration is everywhere Jim if we take care to look.
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My white hellebore is flowering now too! I usually have open flowers in January so a little late this year, but a sure sign that spring is on its way – yay!!
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Yay indeed! It’s fun to think we have the same flowers blooming at the same time. 🙂
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Great contrast along with the symmetry. New life coming through the fallen leaves of autumn.
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Thanks, Patrick. 🙂
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Love hellebores – they have just delicate colour combinations in their petals. Lovely photos of them too.
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Thanks so much, they are one of my favorite plants and bloom right when I really need to see flowers every year.
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They are sturdy plants that just love to bloom in late winter. Mine is called Winter Rose. Thank you, Lisa.
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I’m glad you like them too, Perpetua. 🙂
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These beautiful flowers look as though they’ve had a rough time for sure, but they finally made it through. A good lesson in perseverance. 🙂
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They do look like it took a bit of work to open. 🙂 Thanks for your visit today, Sylvia!
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Lovely, Lisa. I bought a pot of daffodils a few days ago and can’t wait until they bloom.
janet
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Every year about this time I wish I’d planted bulbs… maybe I’ll pick up a pot tomorrow when I go out for groceries. 🙂
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What a gorgeous photo! It’s 19 tonight and the weather folks are breathless over a pending winter storm. Im looking forward to a thaw and the pretty things it brings with it.
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Brr… it was almost 60 here today and I spent the afternoon working in the yard! So sorry to hear about your cold and incoming winter storm. 😦
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Oh, Lisa, how you have given me encouragement today with your hellebores. We have SO much snow here (about 3 feet) and we have a temperature warning as well, with the high tomorrow being only -5F. Honey, that is death cold! To see my bulbs come up and soon, (I have some for early March) is something I look SO forward to. I read some of the comments and I use LIQUID FENCE to ward off critters from eating in my garden. Now granted it is only for rabbits and deer, so I HOPE it will work on the squirrels too. LOVED your images, LOVED them. You brought HOPE to me today, Lisa. HOPE that the white stuff will be gone soon and I will see green and smell earth. Ahhhhhhhhh ……. Love, Amy
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Our winter has been so strange, Amy. It’s warm here and the snowpack is only 39% of normal! Meanwhile you’ve been buried in it. 😦 I hope you get to see your bulbs soon and am so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed my hellebores. 🙂 Thanks for the tip about Liquid Fence!
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You are more then welcome. Liquid Fence really works. It stinks (word of warning) and the sprayer does not work good so I transfer the liquid into a well made spray bottle. Just a few more tips. (smile)
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I’ll be sure to use a bottle I trust, thanks for saving me from the extra stink!
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I, too, love hellebores and every year I wish I had more. Yesterday we were at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, and the star magnolias at Freeway Park were in full bloom! So uplifting!
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How pretty! I hope you enjoyed the Flower and Garden Show, it’s been years since we’ve attended but I really wanted to make it this year… maybe in 2016!
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Beautiful flowers. White, with a touch of dirt about them. Symmetry and perfection, I never thought of it that way, but it makes so much sense. Finding perfection is like chasing chimeras.
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What a great way to phrase the concept, Mabel. “Chasing chimeras” – I love it. 🙂
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Beautiful.
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Thanks. 🙂
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These flowers are beautiful. They are a nice choice for the symmetry challenge. I wanted to find a photo of my orchids (indoor plant) to use, but most of my photos are in need of tags, so I can find them. I can’t believe you already have flowers 🙂
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A few early azaleas opened today, I was so surprised! Your orchids sound beautiful and I hope you’re not buried in too much snow.
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THIS is the year I plant hellebores. It looks as though it has rained and duff from the forest floor has spattered this beauty. Nice capture, especially the decision to leave the photo as is with bugs, bug gnawed bits and all.
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I’m happy to hear you like the natural, untouched state of the hellebore. Sometimes I want to reach out and clean up the plants a little but hold back since the little bugs and imperfections add the unique/realistic quality I’m looking for when sharing shots from our corner of the country. Enjoy your new hellebores!
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what a lovely and welcome sight in your backyard! 🙂
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Thank you Lola!
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