This winter has been an unusually long one where the weather has unusually had an influence upon my outside gardening. Because of this I have been a bit ill at ease--all this sitting-around is not good for me. I don't like it one bit. On a gloomy day such as today, I think back to the past season and the nice colour that was showing itself in the flower garden. I have become a bit desperate...and desperate is as desperate does, they say...and out of desperation for colour, I began to reminisce. Reminiscing is a fool's game some say--you can never go back. I disagree with this, it's one reason that I take fotos--to remind me...to take me back. After a prolongued period of seeing the colours gray and white, I have taken a little trip down memory lane and you are invited. I think that without question, the first plant to bloom in my garden is the Ceanothus. It blooms when the temps are still below freezing and before the first snowbell or crocus ventures their first green leaf spikes above ground (or snow, as the case may be)...in fact it has a few blooms already. Here is one of the Ceanothus bushes blooming last spring. This pic was taken well into the spring--the warmer it gets the quicker the blooms do their thing. This type of iris is also a spring bloomer here. ...and of course, spring just wouldn't be spring without the birth of the dearest of garden companions--the birds. This is a fresh Blue Tit chick (Cyanistes caeruleus) sitting and waiting for mum to bring the next worm. I'm afraid that it's incessant chilping got the attention of the resident magpies. They sat patiently on the train lines about 4-5 meters away, waiting for the little ones to fledge. We had a couple of birdhouses in use with these lovely birds this past spring and I was able to get some nice fotos for myself. Late spring brings such flowers as the Aquilegia. This little specimen has developed from seed but lived at a very inconvient place in an archway right up against the path. Permanent Oriental Poppies are such a delight to see when they rise up in the late spring. Their colour is so striking that it makes up for the otherwise scarcity of colour on the plot. Over to one side and sort of in front of the shed is the Trollius patch. I really do like these specially formed flowers...so do the bumblebees. Cosmea is one of the most typical summer-late summer bloomers. One of the last left standing in my garden. Delphinuem and that other plant are summer bloomers that also last a long time in my garden. Darn it, I just can never remember the name of that pink flowering plant. :-? The Cleome and Black-eyed-Susans keep me in colour almost until the very end. I can count on them when things are beginning to go brown. Well, this colour injection will last me a few weeks now, I hope.
I've just been looking at everyone's flowers on here Sjoerd so I think we're feeling the same at the moment - itching for some colour. Thankyou so much for your photographs - they really do make everything seem better somehow. I hope you're not getting all this snow we're having today. I really am sick and tired of white and want to see some green outside again.
beautiful pics sjoerd! perked me right up this morning!!! is the first pic, Ceanothus, like a lilac? and the fourth one, Aquilegia, i am planting this year. looks so beautiful and unusual! i will be starting them from seed. we also have the cosmos and poppies here. i'm trying some different varieties this year. there are soooo many out there! cute little baby bird! ahhh, spring doesn't feel so far away now...
You have brightened my day. Love the vivid colors. I am so ready for spring. We had a bright pink sky this morning and it is suppose to reach 50ºf 8) today. I plan to go out and do some cleanup, even though the ground is frozen. Hope your weather is improving so you can get out and about.
Spring is still WAY off for me, so I appreciate any color people are willing to show me! I absolutely LOVE that Ceanothus! Your Iris and Poppy are the same as the ones in my garden and SO I look forward to their blooms every year. Columbine is something that was missing in my gardens last year ~ that will have to change this year. Thanks for the hit of color Sjoerd...I really needed that!
Yes, those brighten up our gray day here. It warmed up and got cloudy. dr says cloudy keeps the warmth down here where we need it. I've been looking to see if things have frozen and some have. But it was still a bit early for much to be starting. It was nice to be looking at yours. dooley
I'm drooling and sighing and yearning for spring, and it's your fault. Lovely flowers, beautiful baby and such a vibrant colour splash to help me through the rest of today. *hugs*
ahh, what pretty flowers will do on a snowy gloomy day. Birds chirping, frogs croakng, trees budding, The sounds of the geese returning to the lake and best of all FLOWERS blooming. I can almost hear it now-well almost, I said. Well done as usual Sjoerd.
It's nice to know that great mindas travel the same channels, EILEEN. Ha ha ha. I guess that we are feeling the same. We had snow yesterday, but today was warmish and there was a bit of sun there for a few minutes. Now I hear that there may be rain during the weekend. Hi BUNKIE--It's good to hear that you perked-up this morning. I needed the colour myself. That Ceanothus in not in the Lilac family, but here the common name is "Amerikaanse sering"--Syringa being the Latin name for the Lilac. I hope that you are going to be successful with your Aquilegias. Oh my, GAIL-- I have only one word for your posting: Jelousy. I wish that I could go out and do a little garden work, frozen ground or not. I'm glad you liked the colour and the Ceanothus, NETTY. The blooms smell like honey to me. Chuckle--TONI-- you are a caution. Ahhhhh...DROOPY, you say the nicest things. Looking back at these fotos made me almost feel that spring was just around the corner, PETUNIA. With daylight getting longer each day I think the end is in sight. Thanks for your nice comments.
I can't wait to get my hands dirty in the garden again....beautiful pictures. I would really love the bush in the first picture. I have never seen one before...
I am glad you liked the fotos, Sherry. That Ceanothus is a beautiful thing. I believe the plants come from North America. Perhaps you should check the on-line plant shops. The flowers smell like honey to me.
Sjoerd, your pictures make me long for spring. After just coming out of the coldest weather we've had in 20 years your post was a sight for sore eyes.
Just think about all that is going on underground as we speak! Gosh, last Spring seems so long ago now. No worrries, it will be here again soon....
WOW.. thanks for sharing the pics of your beautiful garden! The color combos are soo gorgeous! Even though we have been in the 70's this week, we just came out of 12 degree weather, and that is very uncommon for our area. I look forward to spring to see what was tough enough to survive Becky
