April Showers

April has been super rainy in these parts. Record rainfall last weekend has brought all kinds of havoc with flooding in Corvallis.

My middle daughter and I walked around yesterday to get a glimpse of this historic event. Apparently in 1996, the water rose to about this same level. And apparently they didn't do enough to fix the high water issues. 

The only upside to all this water is that once it recedes it should expose some very pretty rocks.  And I've got some new boots for wading. More on that in a minute. But first, despite the rain, the plants are doing their spring thing.

My favorite Narcissus -- 'Geranium' ... so fragrant!

Ribes sanguineum 'Pulsborough Scarlet'

Clematis alpina 'Constance' is just starting to bloom

Last fall at the local nursery I picked up the below Clematis for $3.00. The label said C. 'Markham's Pink' which it clearly is not. But that's okay because I already have Markham anyway. (I couldn't pass up a bargain.) But what is the bargain's real identity? Hmm...

Mystery alpina Clematis

The Polygala are late to bloom this year. At least the yellow one is. It's kind of nice to see them bloom at the same time. And the early bumblebees (not pictured) love the flowers too. 

Polygala chamaebuxus and P. c. 'Kaminski' (the purple one)

 

Lathyrus vernus 'Albo Roseus' under a scattering of spent Star Magnolia petals

 And right beside the Lathyrus is the Pulsatilla.

Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Red Bells'

Pulsatilla vulgaris 

A recent nursery visit and this Anisodontea just flew into my cart. This time I'm going to make a serious effort to winter it over successfully. 

Anisodentea x 'Tara's Pink'

I got this Butterfly Iris last fall from Pat at Secret Garden Growers. I still don't have it planted in the garden but it's blooming anyway.

Butterfly Iris ~ Iris x Nada

In the garden we've got some happy plants too. I'm really thankful for all of the new growth on this Daphne bholua.   

Daphne bholua

The burgundy foliage on the ornamental rhubarb is always so cool.

Rheum palmatum var. tanguiticum

 

Syneilesis palmata

Fritillaria meleagris in a sea of Oxalis oregana

 And now for some wide garden shots--the good and not so good.

If you look closely, you'll see a sapsucker in the neighbor's arborvitae. They seem to be nesting somewhere nearby because they're regular visitors now.

The aforementioned boots, remember? Well, I got an email from Emily at The Original Muck Book Company inviting me to sample a pair of boots of my choice. How cool is that? I thought the Women's Muckster II Clogs would be perfect for working in the garden, especially since the ones I've been using are toast. Aren't these perty?

Yes. I wore them out in the rain before taking these photos. (Wink). They felt great. Kind of springy and cushy and warm!

Emily was apparently feeling very generous because she also included the Women's Muckster II Mid!

I will be using these to wade in the rivers and creeks during my rock hounding adventures.

 

Thank you Emily. If you're looking for footwear, check out The Original Muck Boot Company. They have women's, men's and children's quality footwear.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you're getting spring weather in your neck of the woods.

And Yet She Persisted

Yes, Mother Nature persists and thrives in our gardens, despite the vagaries of weather. Last year by this time the lilacs were finished blooming. This year I can't even see buds yet! But soon. 

Here are a few bloomers and a few critters.

My favorite daffodil, N. t. 'Geranium. Such a fantastic fragrance. I bought another package of bulbs with my friend Carol last fall so I had even more blooms this year. More is always better, right? 

Narcissus tazetta 'Geranium'

I know I said 'Geranium' was my favorite of the daffodils but recently I was at my daughter's place and spotted these lovelies. They're intensely fragrant as well. This fall I will have to be on the lookout for them. Anyone one know the name?

Narcissus tazetta ... NOID

The Rhododendron I bought in March is looking great.

Rhododendron macrosepalum 'Linear'

I'm not a huge Camellia girl but this stately gal is blooming her head off this year. It looks tropical.

Camellia NOID

I don't grow that many tulips but here's one that persists year after year. It's such a pretty thing!

Tulip

Tulip

And then there are these...

Tulip

This is my favorite stage of this cute variegated Spirea.

Spiraea x vanhouttei 'Pink Ice'

A few more spring bloomers...

Daphne x rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Stacht' and Lathyrus vernus 'Albo Roseus'
with Iris pallida 'Variegata' in the background

I'm not a huge fan of yellow but I love the vintage cowslips, especially because they're fragrant. I bought these last week at Home Depot and they work perfectly in this spot. 

Cowslips or Primula veris

I'm still debating over whether or not to plant this new Mertensia maritima (from Far Reaches Farm) in this vintage metal trunk. I really want those blue leaves to stand out but because it's under the magnolia (M. stellata) they'll only get afternoon sun which might not be enough to satisfy it. Check out the full size plant on the Far Reaches Farm's website. Ooh, la, la! 

Under the Magnolia ... on the right are variegated Japanese iris (Iris ensata 'Variegata')

The cool-blue flowers on the Brunnera are cute but the warm-hued leaves are better.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream'

This silly Phlox never disappoints me.

Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

I know. Why do I grow Vinca minor? Well, the flowers are pretty, you have to admit. Especially when all of the dead leaves from last year are removed from the pot it hangs in. Oops.

Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'

Darmera peltata in flower

After years of disappointment with the new "improved" penstemons, last year I went for the tried and true species. Granted they don't bloom very long but they sailed through our cold, wet winter without missing a beat. Evergreen foliage and gorgeous spring flowers! Sorry, not the best photo.

Penstemon rupicola or P. newberryi

Who doesn't love a creeping sedum?

Sedum spilling over its bounds

Speaking of sedums, I found this little gem recently at the local Wilco Farms Store. It had a Little Prince of Oregon Nursery tag and has apparently been out for several years. But it's new to me. In my research, I found that there is some question as to its winter hardiness so this winter I'll probably protect the pot on my patio, just in case. Don't you love those tiny, variegated leaves?

Sedums

Sedum 'Little Missy'

And more photos of sedums... I took these at a nearby nursery. Don't you just want these?

We had the cutest chipmunks all winter but apparently they didn't want to stick around for mating season. I think they're living in my friend Carol's garden which is good because they'll be safe there. Maybe they were pushed out by these cute Douglas squirrels. They're about half the size of a gray squirrel and every bit as feisty. 

The frogs are up to their cacophonous shenanigans. There are tadpoles in the pond. Here's a little guy I spotted sunning himself.   

And finally, a silly goldfinch trying to take a bath in the bubbler. Not the best photos but still, too cute! 

 I hope your spring is full of persistent joys.