I am trying to be positive.
It snowed yesterday here. Thank goodness it didn't stick on the ground.
But today is sunny and in the 50's, so I ventured outside to see how my gardens are doing. I have two strips of garden down each side of my driveway and my front sidewalk. In addition I have a patch on the side of my house next to the foundation, and two other arc-shaped gardens. So they keep me busy. Everything is slowly coming up, but there are only a few BRAVE things in bloom. Here is a peek:
It snowed yesterday here. Thank goodness it didn't stick on the ground.
But today is sunny and in the 50's, so I ventured outside to see how my gardens are doing. I have two strips of garden down each side of my driveway and my front sidewalk. In addition I have a patch on the side of my house next to the foundation, and two other arc-shaped gardens. So they keep me busy. Everything is slowly coming up, but there are only a few BRAVE things in bloom. Here is a peek:
Here is one strip garden running beside my sidewalk into the driveway.
You can see some green plants sprouting up in addition to my purple creeping phlox and some tulips:
Here are some daffodils in bloom. Coming soon will be the Iris and the Daylillies beside where the daffodils are presently blooming:
This is the garden strip running on each side of my sidewalk leading to my front door.
I have mostly tulips, daffodils and Lillies growing here, too:
This is a close-up of my creeping phlox:
I was surprised to see this brave single violet blooming too!:
One of the daffodils that have been blooming about a week now, even in the snow!:
A close up of my Vinca Minor. These grow on vines and I have a huge patch in my front yard. The best part? I don't have to do anything to them, they keep on growing with no intervention (or work!) from me!:
The side garden next to my house foundation of colorful tulips. It is such a delight to see some color (finally!) after our LONG winter here!:
Yellows and Red combination of tulips are my favorite!:
Here is a tulip not quite fully open yet. I love the color combination of this one. Can't wait for it to open wide so I can see what its center will hold!:
Some mini-daisies I found growing in the woods. I transplanted it into my rock garden, and this year it came up!:
This is a close-up of my apple tree branches. Can you see the buds coming?:
A fully opened tulip. I just love looking down into the inside of them!:
Isn't this one majestic?:
And look at the surprise inside this one! A black center! What hummingbird or bee could refuse this beauty?:
Hope you enjoyed seeing my first bits of color in my garden today. Even though I have been disgusted with the recent cold streak of weather, it refreshes me so much to go outside and tour the yard to see what bloomed each day. It always cheers me up.
Oh the flowers are GORGEOUS! I know...sometimes it snows in mid-may in Anchorage and we freak out; this year they have had TWO days already that hit 70!!! However, we never get the beauty of spring in flowers/tulips like here in the lower 48. (still coveting camera)
ReplyDeleteInsanity: It is neat that you have lived in two different climates and can compare things. We have only had two days close to 70's and then a long streak of cold again. Can't wait for a few weeks from now when I know it usually is in the high 60's to the 70's! We want to get out on the lake, which finally melted but it is too cold to be out on the boat!
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful. We don't have much that bloom in the desert, can you not tell I am homesick for greenery in Texas? We have cactus flowers and beautiful sunsets, but we are over taken by sand and heat. Lots and lots of heat. 102 heat. I'm pretty sure I am a long lost cousin of the Wicked Witch...because I'M MELTING!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fantastic. I can never decide which season I love the most. Every one offers such wonders. Thanks for sharing. I love your blog. Rae
ReplyDeletemyweathervane.blogspot.com
I loveTulips! Your red and yellow ones are gorgeous! I also love So. Cal. It's 84, so far, today. lol!
ReplyDeleteAll the flowers are beautiful. When they are fully bloom, your garden must look very gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteJuat spend the hours in the garden must be very enjoyable.
Brittany: 102? I love heat, but NOT that much. I love the 80's. And when it finally DOES warm up here, it is so wonderfully green and so much water (lakes, streams) here. It is gorgeous. But I would love to see the desert some day, I have never been there.
ReplyDeleteRae: Thanks so much. The change of seasons is very pretty here. It is just that our winters last sooooooo long!!! (and it arrives earlier here than in most of the country)...so naturally we can't wait for spring and summer, as they seem very short when they are here.
JJ: Thanks! I am sure California is gorgeous, I haven't been there, either and hope to go some day. I have a nephew that lives near Sacramento which we hope to visit in the next few years. 84 degrees sounds perfect to be on some veranda or at the beach...I would love it!
Snow in May!! Man I am glad I live here.
ReplyDeleteI love the tulips, my favorite :-)
Rainied all day yesterday. Sunny and gorgeous today
Have a graet evening
Scrappy: It sounds like you get 2 more months of spring that we do. I would love to garden in your part of the country, you can grow so much more! We are Zone 3 and 4 which really limits what we can grow.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful flower photos, Joan! Now, if only we can get it to stop snowing up there!!! Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteYour Spring seems a bit late this year? but worth the waiting, judging by your lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Star
Like a walk in your garden. :-) Thank you!
ReplyDeletePearl
Isn't it wondrous, the colors of flowers!!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many beautiful flowers over there! I'd like to pick a bouquet please! (Just kidding, I'll just smell them and admire them!)
ReplyDeletesnow? what? I'm in central California and it got up over 100 today. Ick.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and the unopened tulip is just beautiful and sensuous.
ReplyDeleteSnow in May...I am at a loss for words...
Peace - Rene
It sure looks great for having snow the day before. Everything looks so bright and cheerful! I love the creeping phlox. Can't wait to see how your apple tree looks in bloom. I loved seeing mine until the wind blew all the petals off :(
ReplyDeleteThe flowers obviously know it's spring there, even though the snow hasn't figured it out yet. I like tulips, but I didn't realize it until recently. I've been driving by a house that has them planted out front. The only problem with tulips though is that I remember the fake plastic ones my aunt used to have.
ReplyDeleteI really loved the pictures of your gardens, the tulips are gorgeous. Thank you for your advice on gardening and finding someone with knowledge of the area. Smart idea, I am really looking forward to your pictures when everything is in bloom. Have a great day my friend.....:) Hugs, Bernie
ReplyDeleteThat is what I need for my flower beds. Creeping Phlox. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteTulips are blooming here too. I have some huge ones this year. Go figure. I am loving all the color as well. Such a refreshing change.
Lynn: Thanks! I am so excited because we are supposed to get high 60's and maybe even 70 today! So far it is sunny, but it supposed to rain tonight. That should green things up!
ReplyDeleteStar: Yes, it has been a cold spring and slow in coming, it seems. But a warm up is due this week, so I will be very happy to see some warmer temps.
Pearl: You are welcome! Every day I stroll thru the whole yard to see how the plants are doing and what is blooming. It is such a treat to see a new bloom!
Grannyann: Yes, they are all jewels to me.
Shellmo: Once in a while I do break one off and put it in a vase so we can enjoy it inside...but it kills me to do so. My husband laughs at me because usually there are a LOT in bloom when I do this an he says: "how can you tell one is missing outside?" But I usually know exactly what is in bloom and what isn't, so I can tell!
Geelizzie: I know, I could not believe it when I saw the flakes! Hopefully, we will NOT have any more until late fall! I would not be able to tolerate 100 degrees, that's for sure!
Not the Rockefellers: I was speechless too, until I found the swear words to express my disgust. ha
It is sunny this morning and supposed to possibly hit 70 degrees today, so I am one happy woman!
Catherine: I will be happy to take photos of the apple blossoms and the tree as it matures its fruit, so stay tuned! They should blossom within in the next 3 weeks, I am sure.
Ratty: I have always liked tulips, but when I grew them myself, I fell in love with them. The colors are so vibrant and the inside of the tulip holds such an array of colors. When you see them at a distance, you have no idea how beautiful they are inside! You made me laugh, picturing your mom's plastic ones. There is a hotel up here that decks out their entrance with flowers all the time...and they are obviously all plastic, too. Pretty tacky! I should take photos and blog about it sometime, because they have 100's of them out when they do it.
Bernie: Feel free to ignore any advice I give you...ha But it really worked for me, because I was buying plants at Lowes and Menards and they weren't doing well, and then I talked to local gardeners and bought perennials from them that were grown locally and I did MUCH better. Plus they are fountains of knowledge (for free). I am also taking a class from a local gardener and have learned so much!
DVM's Wife: I love creeping phlox. It blooms for quite a long time, too. The only problem I have is that grass sometimes pops up between the phlox and to pull it out (without breaking up the phlox) is difficult. But the phlox is hardy, it doesn't seem to mind! It grows and spreads fast too.
Lovely gardens! Your tulips are beautiful! My phlox is not blooming yet..maybe soon! :)
ReplyDeleteFar Side: Thanks so much! It is fun to see what blooms and when, isn't it?
ReplyDelete