Morning Glories

First (Ever) Siberian Iris 'White Swirl' Bloom

Good Things to Come

A neighbor once said to me, as we were standing outside chatting in early spring, "I love this time of year because it's all ahead of us." I have come to notice and appreciate that moment in time each year when we turn the corner into the spring and summer seasons.

We're well into spring, which began on March 20, but we still have a nice stretch before summer begins on June 21. I've learned to savor anticipation in the garden, and there are lots of signs in the garden of good things to come, of what lies ahead of us. Here are a few from this glorious morning:

ROSEBUD
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

PEONY BUDS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SIBERIAN IRIS 'WHITE SWIRL' BUDS
(I planted this in July 2007 and this is the first year it has produced buds.)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DIANTHUS 'CHEDDAR PINK' BUDS & BLOSSOMS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WILDFLOWER BUDS & BLOSSOMS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ASIATIC HYBRID LILY 'CORRIDA' BUDS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

HYDRANGEA BUDS

Azalea Blossom Time is Coming to an End

... AND WHAT ...

... A TIME ...

... IT WAS ...

Simple Pleasures - Vinca Blossom

An Early Beauty - Bleeding Heart

The bleeding heart is one of my favorite plants because of its early blooming time. The bold pink blossoms are some of the first pops of color in the garden; they announce that spring is here and give voice to the promise of all the beauty that lies ahead in the garden. This time of year, in my area, there are tender buds, fresh green growth, returning perennials, and lots of potential in the garden. But the beauty of the bleeding heart is right here and right now -- a burst of color to welcome the new season.

 

Waiting for the Miracles of Spring

The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common.
If no one had never seen a flower, even a dandelion would be
the most startling event in the world.
- Unknown

 

Beginning Anew

The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn.
~ Hartley Coleridge

No, they're not berries. They're buds!
The Christmas cactus is running a little late this year.
But the beautiful blossoms will be welcome when they arrive.
Like they always say, better late than never....
There's always time for a new beginning.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Simple Pleasures - Mums

The Old Bait & Switch

In the Plant Swap with my sister last year, one of my favorite acquisitions was caryopteris. (At the time it was known as the "mystery purple shrub" but it was later properly identified.) I planted it in the front right border and it grew throughout the season. However, it never turned out the beautiful purplish-blue blooms that I expected, and I was puzzled. But I still had faith.

This year, the plant grew taller and was yellow once again. I began to grow skeptical, particularly when I noticed waves of a suspiciously similar looking plant in the roadside wilds on my morning run.

The impossibility of this actually being caryopteris was confirmed when I discussed the mystery with both of my sisters recently. One had researched the plant and found it is a shrub and therefore you can't divide from cuttings or portions of the plant.

So here stands the mystery plant, which I now consider a weedy intruder in an unfortunate (but unintentional) case of "the old bait and switch" -- and it won't remain here much longer!

A Few More Blooms

It may be nearing November, but a few more blooms are still around to be enjoyed. The salmon mum has performed wonderfully this fall! The overview post I did in August 2007 shows how it looked at that time. It has since expanded wildly and has a great showing of blooms.

And here are some blooms out today in the front yard wildflower garden: