It's Not Just Pink!

I admit that I'm a hopelessly-pathetic-pink-flower-fanatic. Pink flowers alter my brain chemistry, mess with my synapses and serotonin and dopamine levels. But it's not just pink. I love red and purple too. And here is a photo to prove it.  

Geranium pyrenaicum 'Summer Sky'

A few years ago, I purchased seed of Geranium pyrenaicum 'Summer Sky.' It germinated easily and the plants were blooming a few months later. Like many geraniums, 'Summer Sky' self-sows nicely. 

The flowers are smaller than a lot of its more prominent cousins but they come
prolifically all spring, summer and fall. 

Awhile back I saw a photo of Oregon's native Oxalis oregana Tamara's blog "Chickadee Gardens." It was so lovely, that when I spotted the plant at a sale last fall, I got one. Here is one of its sweet blooms. 

Oxalis oregana 

Armeria maritima 'Victor Reiter' is blooming. I love this little critter. 

I know Vinca minor is a thug but I keep mine in a hanging pot. Besides its early-spring
blossoms are charming, especially at eye-level. 

Okay now for a little pink!

Last August I purchased Lathyrus vernus on sale at Sebright Gardens. Its first blooms are popping out right on schedule. Yes, they're pink and I'm on a natural high! Typically Lathyrus blossoms are more purple so I'm thinking I must have the 'Alboroseus' cultivar, which of course I like even more than the purple one! 

Lathyrus vernus 'Alboroseus' 

In case you're wondering, the white mess in the background are fallen petals from the neighboring
Star Magnolia.  (Magnolia stellata)

Lamium maculatum 'Chequers' is a magnet for big fat bumblebees. 

I'm not crazy about the flowers on this Rock Cress (Arabis variegata) but the foliage is outstanding. A year-round, ground-hugging carpet of green and white. I love it.  

Arabis variegata 

Just don't do what I did and confuse this Arabis with Silene uniflora 'Druett's Variegated' which, has similar foliage but, in my experience, melts into nothing during the winter then makes a very shy comeback the following year. Notice I have no photo to share. 

I succumbed to Impatiens omeiana 'Silver Pink' last spring at Dancing Oaks. It protested whenever the sun hit it and I really wondered if it was going to die. But it lived and look at it this year! 

There you have it. Is it spring where you are? (Or summer in the case of Kris.) Are you seeing green yet? 

Did You Miss Me?

WELL, I MISSED YOU. I've been away from my garden, my garden blog and my blogging buddies for far too long. But today, I was able to get outside and cut back some of the mess from last year. In other words, I made a tiny dent. Teeny tiny. I've got a lot of work ahead of me but, if you're a gardener, you know it's not really work.

I also took my camera outside and snapped some photos. 

This is Bergenia cordifolia ‘Tubby Andrews.' I thought it reverted to green but it's got its is true colors now.

This is Hebe 'Pink Elephant.' It shows its brightest colors during the winter months. Love it! 

Fuzzy buds on my Star Magnolia, Magnola stellata 'Royal Star' 

 The Euphorbias look especially beautiful during the winter months.

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' 

Euphorbia 'Tasmanian Tiger' 

An unknown Euphorbia variety

 The Nandinas (Heavenly Bamboo) are also glorious during winter.

Nandina domestica ‘Wood’s Dwarf’ 

Arabis variegata 

 This is how my Tetrapanax looks right now. Pretty sad but there is a tiny leaf waiting to unfurl when spring gets here. 

Tetrapanax papyfifera ‘Steroidal Giant’ 

Moss is alive and well in my garden. It's growing here on a vintage wood ladder. 

My only indoor/outdoor kitty decided to come out to say hello to a volunteer (smashed) catnip plant. I think he wanted to make sure it was still there.   

Zip and  the catnip. 

Unfortunately while Zip snoozes indoors a gopher has been making himself at home in the garden, evidenced by several holes like this one.  

Finally, below I wanted to show you the driftwood my sweet sister got for me last fall. It is very special because it came from one of our childhood haunts in southern Oregon. Thank you, Laura! 

Special driftwood...