So Much to Love

I'm in full-on gardening mode. It's been so enjoyable, playing in the dirt, moving plants around, potting up newbies. If I'm home and it's not raining, I'm outside in my garden. Can you relate?

Here are some of my bloomers: 

I don't grow very many annuals but
when I found a little four-pack of annual, all-pink Mimulus,
I couldn't resist. 

I planted the Mimulus with this fragrant Nemesia

The Lewisia are abloom!

As is this little bulb bloomer

One of my favorite shrubs is this early-blooming
Lonicera tatarica ‘Arnold Red’ 

Another favorite shrub, Weigela florida 'Variegata' is just starting to open. 

Geranium 'Orion' is a newbie. The flowers look a lot like 'Rozanne'
but they're a little bigger. 

Melittis  melissophyllum looks really special this year. 

The Epimedium foliage is dramatic

Silene robotii ‘Roly’s Favorite’ has seeded itself throughout my garden.

I really enjoy the cheery spring blossoms
while my summer players are just getting their growth on. 

And just look at this Cotinus foliage. 

Recently I spotted these cuties at the store.
Did I buy one? What do you think? 

Photo Therapy

WITH THE GARDEN LOOKING more than a little "blah" right now, I thought I'd share some photos from my archives--photos of happier times, when the weather was hospitable and pleasant. Maybe these will jar your memory to that time, many months ago. I especially dedicate this post to all of you who remain strangled by winter's icy grip. 

These photos are all from my "Drive-By (Photo) Shooting" file. They were taken around town during previous summers.

Recently, I bought a large seed packet of Red Flax because of what I saw in this front garden last summer.

This flower is Viscaria. Very similar to Red Flax. 

Dogwood 

Voluptuous Hydrangea

Roadside Chicory Blossom of purest blue

Armeria drinking up the sunshine

Double File Viburnum

Echinaceas in the hell strip

A genius juxtaposition: Japanese Blood Grass and blooming Sedum 

A front bed of Japanese Anemone blossoms

Hardy Fuchsias ... oh I miss those sweet blossoms.

A tad bit blurry, Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin) in its floral prime

How come my Hollyhocks never look like this? 

Finally a bit of humor: 

Maybe the most tasteful rendition of pink flamingos I've seen.
And of course, there's always got to be one rogue. 

No taste here at all. 

Hang in there. Spring is coming!