Azalea Aflame

This is one plant that Mr. Flower and I both love.

We picked this one out together, actually we got two.

The one closer to the house does better because it gets more attention.

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Gibraltar is its name.

It looks as though aflame.

When the sun hits it in the morning, it glows.

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Itty Bitty Jessop

The tiniest plant in my garden is blooming now.

Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’ is only three inches high.

Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’

I have it planted it by walkways and ponds so it can get noticed by those with a keen eye.

It’s like a tiny treasure hidden in plain sight.

I love its pinstriped leaves.

It is a bulb.

Here is a whole plant.

I am not supposed to have favorites, but the fairies love this one the most.

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A Flower a Day in April..not happening

That’s how it is here. Each day a new flower starts blooming. I record it in my journal and take its photo.

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Persian Berry: first iris 2019

That’s where it ends.

I go back to weeding and transplanting.

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‘Night Sky’ petunia

My hands are dirty, my shoes are dirty, my apron fills with debris.

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Ice Plant, Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner’

I talk to the bunnies and my bird friends, but the computer is inside.

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Thunder Echo, second iris 2019

It may as well be on the moon, because I am literally running to get things done.

Before rain tasks, after rain tasks. I forgot to fertilize the smallest rose… So sorry baby!

You should be seeing a flower a day here, but I have things to do with my dirty hands..

Then there is preparation for a fairy Easter egg hunt…

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So much to do, so little time…

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Quiet White

I went out to take pictures ahead of the coming storm.

It is overcast.

This is when white shines like a diamond amongst the greens.

White Columbine

Most folks overlook white flowers.

‘Snow flake’ Creeping Phlox

Take a closer look on an overcast or rainy day.

White Cupflower, Mazus reptens ‘Alba’

You may end up liking white as I do.

Variegated Solomon’s Seal

Some say it is the rice of the garden…cleansing the palette.

I think white flowers have an understated elegance

that is for those with a delicate taste for finer things.

White Epimedium

The quiet color that waits to be noticed.

Dogwood Tree, Cornus florida

Yes. I like white flowers very much.

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Pot ‘um Up; Move ‘um Out

As if weeding outside was not enough to keep a gardener busy in spring,

there is also this issue of potted plants.

They need attention now, too.

I pot up house plants before I bring them inside in the fall.

(“Pot up” means that you move a plant into a slightly larger pot.)

I am always amazed how much growth occurs over winter inside

when it seems they are just sitting there waiting for spring.

These were in desperate need of more space and soil.

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A plant screams by shriveling, drooping or turning yellow.

Not only have they been potted up and fed some plant food,

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they are now enjoying their first pollen-washing downpour.

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Don’t they look happy?

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Pardon my Pollen

Everything was sunny yellow this morning.

The hue was not due to the yellow sun.

It was caused by a coat of pollen on everything.

The pansies were dusted.

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The pond was powdered.

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I tracked some in on my socks

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after taking off my yellow-toed shoes.

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I tried to sweep it up.

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But that just stirred it up.

It was thick enough to write in.

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What a mess to greet my guest.

Please, pardon my pollen.

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Don’t Blink, it’s Spring

I was away for three days. I came home to a different garden.

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The change is a tribute to the power of sunshine and rain.

The azaleas started blooming.

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The Lily of the Valley is reaching up and budding.

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The Solomon’s Seal is ringing its bells.

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Ascot Rainbow Spurge lifted its blooms.

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My ‘Expensive Stick’ turned into a tree.

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The best surprise was the ‘Juddii ‘Viburnum blooms.

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I wish I could share the scent of these lovely flowers.

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My garden was busy while I was away.

Don’t blink or you will miss something.  It’s spring in the south.

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The Darling of Spring

I do adore all my plants, especially the tiny ones.

This yellow Epimedium always stops me in my tracks when it blooms.

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I have to go sit on the ground beside it.

It is so complex and delicate.

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It needs close examination to have a full appreciation.

It is one of my two “Darlings of spring.”

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Stay tuned for the other tomorrow.

I want to add a photo of my male bluebird friend who now comes to visit me as I work.

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I LOVE spring!

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