Eugene winters are often dark and gloomy. Days can go by without the sun peeking out to remind us of light and the energy it brings. But the winter rain is what introduces life to the landscape, keeping things green and providing enough water for spring growth. Throughout the months of sporadic showers, flowers begin to emerge, signifying that a lively spring is coming.

In mid-February–what seems like the peak of wet winter gloom–pops of color persist at the Urban Farm.

Crocus (Crocus spp.) flowers spring up from the ground in the most unexpected places. They are one of the very first flowers of the year. The cluster pictured here is under a cherry tree in the orchard near the clubhouse at the farm.

The Red-Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), my personal favorite, is another signifier that spring is on the way. It is a large shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. It abounds lovely clusters of pinkish-red flowers that slowly emerge from the buds. They smell faintly sweet and are a favorite of hummingbirds. This plant lines the south entrance to the farm.

There are often Calendula officinalis (also known as Pot Marigold) flowers blooming throughout most of the year at the farm. They are annuals that reproduce readily and aggressively, but adds nothing but goodness to the garden. Calendula is a great pollinator plant as well as a multi-use herb. People make tinctures, lotions, and dyes out of the flowers in addition to using them culinarily for floral flavor and bright color. Calendula is intermixed with veggies and other herbs throughout the farm.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) can be in constant bloom in temperate climates like that of Eugene. The sweet little purple flowers add to the already potent fragrance of rosemary.

A couple tasty, edible blooms are popping off right now at the Urban Farm. Pictured here are bok choy and kale flowers. This is what happens when these plants bolt in late winter/early spring. The plants are sending out their seeds for the next generation. It is a sign that the plant has overwintered and survived into spring.

The same goes for arugula. The flowers carry the same peppery flavor as the leaves, and they are lovely to munch straight from the garden or cook down with butter and eggs. They also add a much needed pop of color in the often sparse-looking February garden.

Finally, a large vibrant pop of color at the farm comes with the Camellia (Camellia japonica) shrub. This is a popular ornamental plant that produces large, vibrant flowers in the midst of winter. This one is by the outdoor classroom area at the Urban Farm.