Saturday, April 17, 2010

April Garden Sightings

All the cleaning up young C. and I did last week has made it easier to see that there are still lovely things in the garden; the weeds did not smother everything. After planting half of last weekend's purchases today, I took a few pictures, trying to avoid the large portions of the yard that are still a terrible mess.

People often give cyclamen for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and other springtime events. Over the years I've received many, and at some point I started planting them in the garden under the pine tree, next to the rhododendron. This Woodland area is about half the size of my kitchen, but it seems to be plenty of space to grow quite a few shade-loving plants.

Moving out into the sunshine, this salvia with broad leaves is growing next to the lambs ears. Nurseries are always selling new species of salvia, and it seems I buy one every year or so. Some don't make it, but this one survived the recent cold winter.



Both of the columbines we planted many years ago volunteered to make new plants way across the garden, in a shadier spot next to the lamium.



Next to the original columbines, wintered-over calendulas throw up a defense against my garden's threat of blue-and-pink monotony. Yes, they were very bright, but I didn't expect the photograph to reveal them shining like the sun .

8 comments:

margaret said...

They're positively glowing! I do like calendulas.

I didn't know cyclamens would grow outside, I might try it as I have far too many in the house. I just can't resist the heart-shaped leaves.

Pom Pom said...

SO pretty! I bet you are having fun poking through the garden, seeing something new and bigger every day. I just keep taking pictures of my daffodils and my flowering bushes!

Gumbo Lily said...

Oh what fun to see the green things growing in your yard and the cyclamens too! I've received them for Mother's Day before, but they'd never overwinter where I live. I do, however, plant lilies out in the garden with great success.

I like the weathered brick next to the calendula. It's such an eager flower and withstands plenty of abuse.

Jody

elizabeth said...

Nice! Flowers are such a gift... I need to get out in seach of them myself soon...

Leslie said...

What beautiful flowers you have growing. I like your brick and your fence in the background. Spring is just the best time, so full of hope and beauty.

Matt said...

So pretty!

Janet said...

Lovely pictures -- balm to my color-starved soul!

Left-Handed Housewife said...

What a lovely garden! I've been so busy this spring I haven't done any gardening and am now feeling sad about it ... Well, I still have time to get things in the ground. Thanks for the inspiration!

frances