back from the brink of winter

it is so good to see things slowly but surely coming back to life.

i am in love with these hellebore's.

they survived the winter and my dogs.

note to self....add many more of these.

i planted these on the right day last week...bright and sunny.

the next few days were rainy and cool...the pansies...

are liking the combination.

one of my favourite plants is the oak leaf hydrangea...it

adds colour in almost every season . buds are being thrown daily.

a single pansy planted last year has made a reappearance.

what is it about sun, warmth, springtime it all makes you want to spruce things up.

an energy is in the air.

it's time to change out the winter decor of magnolia leaves, evergreens,
holly branches intertwined with berries and pine cones.

lavender(provence), alyssum(white and purpe),

red and white pansies, and thrift(ballerina red) are planted instead.

large geraniums(tango dark red) are part of the fix up

around the antique apple orchard ladder.

it's also time to sweep the porches...rearrange

...add some easter inspired items.

nest....check

hen.....check

cat grass....check

bird house....check.

calibrachoa(million bells red) adds a welcoming spot of colour at the back door.

this is the door we always enter.

nemesia(enchanting white) and verbena(homestead purple)

are placed in pots by the back door too.

the grass will be a great place to hide eggs on easter. shhhh!

alyssum shining in the sun.

.

time to clean out the birdbath and refresh them.

we have had our share of rain already

this spring....it was a very wet winter, too.

.

the flowers are flourishing in the bit of sunshine we have had.

.

i hope you are having a happy springtime.

i want to wish each of you a very happy easter.

springtime planting

inspiration just comes naturally in early springtime.


it abounds everywhere.

you just feel like being outdoors and planting something.

i finally got my 2nd teddy bear magnolia in the ground this

week...with the help of ethan and jesse...thanks boys.

what is it about dirt that makes a grown woman giddy?
and the possibility of growing something that makes a girl swoon?

with just a little clean up....



voila....a whole new perspective.


i am mixing in some lettuces and herbs in my containers so

i can get a jump start on harvesting these goodies for my family.

i can't wait to plant my veggies but it isn't

safe until after the 21st of april around here.

last frost can happen until then.

for now i am content with adding...

lime thyme,

golden lemon thyme

delta pure violet pansy,

majestic giants rose blotch pansy,

delta deep blue blotch pansy,

clear crystal lavender alyssum,

barbados green summer crisp lettuce

dark red lollo rossa lettuce,

peppermint herb,

pappa joe's pineapple sage,
and raspberry wine bee balm(butterfly attractor.)

sounds like the perfect recipe, right?

before...

after...

before...

after...

on a recent trip to fl...i found this toile tray hanging outside

a small produce stand on the way to the beach.

it made me think about adding one outside in the garden...

so i purchased it for a steal and brought it home to add outside.
i have them all over inside the house and it makes it feel

like it just flows right to the outside.

i am so grateful to have some nicer weather heading our way.

it was a gorgeous day of being outdoors.

(really the only one we have had so far.)

planting for spring was great therapy.

and it ended with a beautiful pink glow.

happy springtime everyone.

all manner of flowers

burgandy

ranunculus

my son, jesse and i went to the nursery today.

we were enjoying this rainy cool spring day.

so many wonderful things i have never grown.

only seen in faux flowers or books.

this is a ranunculus.
i used to have a vase of these that were faux.

i loved them and now i get to plant the real thing.

white

ranunculus

purple and white

ranunculus

rocky white/purple wing

viola

jesse and i were there to buy more frizzle sizzle pansies, but alas

they are out and the grower says no more for this season.

i am glad i got some about a week ago. so still needing something for

the container out by the mailbox, jess saw these and said he liked them.

(i am trying my best to get anyone in my family hooked on gardening.)

this is actually one of jesse electives for homeschooling and he has been

helping in the garden quite a bit.

majestic giants II

ocean

pansy

majestic giants II

white blotch

pansy

periwinkle vinca

bowles

next we are going to try vinca. i know some of you

have said it takes over. i am okay with that seeing

as i have such a huge yard.

great for erosion control on banks and slopes.

tiarella

pirate's patch

this is a native plant.

first one of many i hope.

once we read the name of this jess

said this is a must. i like that attitude.

purple flower

jacob's ladder

this is the one and only purple jacob's ladder they had. so i got it.

i love the way the flowers are reaching beyond the foliage.

it looks like a fern to me.

hartswood ruby

helianthemum

spreading shrubby stems form low cushions of

evergreen foliage that is displayed for months.

that red flower on the right is the hartswood ruby.

clementine

red columbine

i have always wanted columbine and i love red.

so into the cart go two.

double spurless flowers are a favourite of hummingbirds.

clear crystal purple shades

alyssum

i had white alyssum at my other house and i loved the way it spread out.

these have an amazing fragrance.

sashay

heuchera

bicolour alum root

this dark leafed beauty has ruffled edges and a lusty

burgundy colour on the bottom of the leaves.

the purple peeks from the edges as you sashay by her.

it attracts both humming bird and butterfly.

the cherry tree in full bloom.

no blooms on the dogwoods yet still just buds.

have a happy day in your spring garden.