Summer color

Hydrangeas are really blooming out right now - just love the color combo! The tiger lilies are still bright and the periwinkle colored penstemon and sea holly compliment each other with baby's breath starting to bloom in the background. Everyday something else begins to bloom! Summertime!

May blooms

The first rose is the Princess Diana peace rose followed by a very fragrant rose which is well over 40 years old.

A forest of red hot pokers which house finches and hummingbirds love.

The climbing hydrangea is in full flower and attracting hundreds of bees of various kinds - it is buzzing!

Desert flora

A recent trip to Arizona and New Mexico - prickly pear cactus in bloom and new growth. Also the bark of the alligator juniper and a cactus that looked like a candle that had dripped. Such amazing diversity in a climate that can be very harsh.

Tulip time

Tulips are a favorite spring flower for me - and I have many! Besides these others are scattered all over the garden! The newer bulbs are from Washington bulb co in mt Vernon which I planted in the fall of 2012.

Tulip time

Just love tulips and I have many in various parts of the yard . These yellow with red are from the tulip garden in Skagit Valley. We visited in 2012 and ordered many bulbs. 

More spring blooms

Two pretty primroses - one with a serrated leaf and the other with a very delicate lavender flower . The very fragrant hyacinths are just beginning to bloom as is the bleeding heart with a beautiful delicate pink heart! Tulips are also just beginning to open! Such a wonderful season!

First tulips

The first tulips are open - this one was first last year too. Last year there was only one. The camellia is from my other one along the driveway. It is mostly deep pink with a hint of white on some blooms.

Nearly spring

My camellia is loaded with beautiful pink and white blossoms right now - don't remember ever seeing so many. The grape hyacinth are starting to bloom also. The blue chicken is enjoying the sunshine for a change. Lettuce and spinach seeds sprouted in the garden beds in less than two weeks! Bring on more sunshine.

Spring is sprouting

A walk around the garden between rain showers today shows the bleeding heart foliage growing nicely. The hydrangeas and the weeping crabapple are also budding out. The camellia along the driveway is beginning to bloom too. 

Daffodils

First daffodil bouquet on the day before my sister's birthday - being able to pick some for her means it has been a mostly mild winter!

Vegetable garden started

A  60 degree day on February  26 - was able to prep 2 garden raised beds and planted beets, lettuce, spinach and carrots. Covered the boxes with mesh to keep the squirrels and birds out. Last year they dug up most of the seeds!

Crocus

Calendar spring is still a few weeks away but sunshine and  54 degrees after 2.5 inches of rain in the last 10 days gives me hope that warm weather is on the way! So many patches of crocus blooming all over the garden beds / mostly purple with a few white and lavenders. Daffodils are almost blooming too.

Maui flowers

Lotus blooming on a koi pond, wild orchids and shell ginger looking like little pearls before it blossoms. So many beautiful tropical flowers.

Camellia in bloom

The first bloom open this year - seems earlier than usual. Also the cyclamen coum is full of blossoms and the hellebores continue to bloom. After the big frost in December it seems we are having a mild and dry winter 

More winter blooms and fragrance

Such a wonderful winter garden - witch hazel which looks like lemon zest hanging on the tree with a light fragrance. Then the sarcococca confusa "sweet box" with its tiny white flowers and amazing sweet smell which lingers around the yard. Then the shy hellebore which is just starting to bloom. Nothing boring about winter bloomers!