The blooming trees have really been amazing this year.

This magnolia was so full and beautiful, and long lasting, with the cooler weather.

Then along come the flowering crabapples and redbuds.

Such a mass of delicate blossoms.

The Boomerang Lilac also looks and smells great this year.

And of course, a few pink tulips to fill in the gaps!

 

 

It has been rainy and cool for many days.

But when I have a chance, I take a quick walk through the garden to see what’s new.

Hostas are coming up.

Agapanthus made it through another winter, and are good sized clumps this spring.

Relative to last year anyway.

Strange moss or lichen on this tree.

The few tulips that I have are lovely.

Forsythias are getting leaves, yellow blooms carpet the ground.

Trees budding.

Cowslips are as early and reliable as ever.

Tiny violets pop up here and there.

All the rain will help the trees and shrubs get off to a growing start,

but I would like to get a few more days in the garden in May!

With the mild winter, and the warmer spring, the magnolias are putting on a great show.

And because it has been so cool, the blooms are remaining for a long time.

Here is the bed in 2011, one of the first years for the magnolia.

The other magnolia bush has darker fuchsia blooms, more of the tulip shape.

This is the first year it has bloomed. I had it wrapped in burlap for the winter, so no rabbit damage.

As I sat at the piano the other day,

I saw movement outside.

Four wild turkeys filing past.

I got these pictures from inside the house.

I did go outside, but one glimpse of me, and they turned around, and flew off.

Just a few “before” shots, because we are getting ready to rake!

The old pine trees lost a few big branches this winter.

Some life is showing.

Irises and daylilies already starting.

Forsythia nearly out.

Grasses are always a mess to clear away.

Got the golf cart out and ready.

This part of the path will need some weeding work.

Other surprises. I don’t know what it is.

And first 2017 coffee on the patio, April 9th!

I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers this week from my husband.

I was delighted to find  he had included ranunculus this time.

White and pink ones.  I have been seeing them online, but wondered if our local florist would ever have them.

They are so beautiful.  I have tried to grow them myself outside in the summer, but had little success.

And they never have such long stems as these.

Now that they are becoming more available, I think I’ll skip the planting this year,

and just enjoy a few from the florist this summer.

It is finally April.  Made it through another winter.

I haven’t been done any work outside yet.

Just a couple of walks to see how the plants made it through the winter.

I always say April is the most cruel month for me.

You think winter is over..

and then this happens.

April 7th.

Thank goodness, I had something blooming inside the house.

It was a gorgeous early October day.

Perfect time to clean up the planters, and pot up what needs to go inside.

I bought a big bag of potting soil.  Not bringing the bugs in.

And I reuse planter pots.  I know it is not very decorative in the house, but some of these plants need a good sized pot.

Canna bulbs are drying out.

Emptied the wheelbarrow of the bougainvillea, and plumbago plants.

I’ve overwintered them for several years now.

I cut them way back, and just keep them alive until next spring.

Found some Kalanchoe.  Not enough sun to bloom where it was, but it might bloom indoors.

Had an assortment of begonias.

By the end, all the plants were happily potted, and I have about a dozen pots to fit in the house somewhere.

The sun was shining on me, but to the west the sky was dark.

Such great colour and light, I went for the camera.

The moments were fleeting, and it never did rain on me.

Just love that blue.