There’s a reason why they say hope springs eternal.

When it comes to “springs,” or should I say, “spring,” hope is all we’ve got in northern Maine. And we’ll be hoping against hope for eternity.

See, I miss spring. Where I grew up, there was an actual four- to six-week period of warmish weather in which the air smelled good, flowers bloomed, and a young girl’s fancy turned to thoughts of love. And sundresses.

Then I came north.

I lost all delusions of crocuses and tulips bobbing their pretty heads in a soft, warm breeze long ago. My first year at UMaine, it snowed in May. Last year, none of my tulips even came up. And the mud. What is up with the mud here? It’s just not right.

But now, I’ve resigned myself to the inevitable. It’s March. It’s not warm. It’s not going to be warm for at least another four months, maybe six. In that time, we may have several blizzards. I want to buy spring clothes – I feel the allure of those floral silk bags at Gap, those sassy skirts at Filene’s. But I resist, because I know by the time it warms up here, all that stuff will be on clearance.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I can’t change the weather. And, apparently, neither can that damn groundhog. But I can change my surroundings. And the best way to start is with flowers.

I’m a huge proponent of buying yourself flowers for no occasion at all – a posy of Irish daffodils is an inexpensive way to brighten your day. But the sensory boost you get from visiting a florist shop or greenhouse is a treat on its own.

A recent visit to Surry Gardens proved that. I was having a crummy day. A story hadn’t panned out. And I felt kind of yucky. But a sign by the side of the road beckoned me in: “Open year-round,” it screamed. I answered by pulling into the driveway and popping into a greenhouse full of lush African violets (I bought a pink one for $4.95), pretty primroses (I also got one for $1.85) and a whole host of unusual houseplants.

Whether you’re crazy for cacti or itching for ivy, your local greenhouse is a great destination. I like Surry Gardens in Surry and Sunnyside Greenhouse in Bangor, but there are plenty of wonderful options statewide – but not all of them are open this time of year. Step inside, breathe in the humid, earthy air, and surround yourself with green, if only for a few minutes. It’s like a minivacation, only much less expensive.

That’s how I feel every time I visit Greencare in Hermon. Owner Mary Lou Hoskins has bailed me out of several near-death experiences with my vast houseplant collection. She has an unusual selection of plants, and, being a bit of a green thumb, I appreciate the variety. The orchids alone are worth the visit.

I went last week with the intention of buying something small – maybe one of those air plants in a seashell or a new violet to replace the dozens that died in our renovation. But a slipper orchid immediately called my name. This deep plum beauty was unlike anything I own, and I had to have it. So I dropped $25 and took it home. So far, I haven’t killed it.

But contrary to popular belief, orchids aren’t that finicky. And they don’t have to be expensive. You can pick them up at specialty stores or at The Home Depot. Say what you will about the home-improvement giant – they have nice plants, and they’re cheap. The Depot has added several options to its orchid selection, in addition to the more common phalenopsis and dendrobium varieties. And you can get nice African violets there for under $2. Not bad.

These days, you can find a nice houseplant just about anywhere. Target has lily-growing kits and a few topiaries. Shaw’s and Hannaford both have full florist shops (now if I could only keep those miniature rose plants alive, I’d be all set).

If you’re more of an outdoor gardener, you can get your kicks by ordering seed packets and bare-root perennials. Try Johnny’s Selected Seeds, a fabulous Maine-based company, at www.johnnysseeds.com, Park’s Seed at www.parkseed.com, or visit the hardware store or Blue Seal and pick some up.

Just don’t wait too long – spring will get here, eventually. And you want to be prepared. My mud boots are dusted off and ready for the thaw. They’ll be waiting a while.

ShopNotes

. In case you missed it, the rumors we’ve been sitting on for months finally have been confirmed: Old Navy and Linens ‘n Things are coming to the Parkade plaza in Bangor. Amen.

. In other news, an outdoor marketplace is coming to downtown Bangor this summer. The market will feature artisans selling their wares, as well as live music. It will take place Thursday nights in June and July along the Kenduskeag Stream canal. For more information, visit www.downtownbangor.com.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.