April Showers and the Garden
Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 5:00AM As I walk in the garden, my feet leave imprints in the sodden soil. Moisture drips from leaves and flowers.
A rose leaf is bejeweled with raindrops.A spray of water soaks me when I brush against a branch. My friends and I warn one another to not complain about the weeks of rain; for in July, when the fierce summer sun becomes oppressive, we will be begging for rain. Let the plants soak it up, let the earth store it up, let the streams and lakes and rivers be filled with it; let us all rejoice in it now.
Columbine grows in the front garden next to purple sage.
I am enjoying April. It is a beautiful month in the garden, saturated with colors, and even the rain cannot take away the glory of Japanese maples, azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias and camelias.
Some April blooms, clockwise from top left: Apple blossoms; Unknown camellia, planted in 1983; Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'; Erigeron, a wild aster also called fleabane
In the woodland garden I have a new bridge! I thought to replace the old wooden one, which had become infested with termites, with one crafted of iron. But then I found the very same bridge kit at half the price I originally paid. I couldn't resist! We treated it with linseed oil, meticulously caulked all the joints, and painted it with a high grade solid stain in hopes of deterring termites. The color is a bit different from the original one, and there is a new companion to the bridge. Do you see him?
The little fox was a Christmas present from Lou. I called the old bridge my squirrel crossing, but this one will be for the foxes.
Here are more images taken in the April woodland garden:
In the front are Autumn fern, epimedium, spreading yew and 'Waterfall' Japanese maple. Toward the back you can glimpse the new fern glade.
I place a number of potted tropical plants in the woodland garden for the summer, including Stromanthe tricolor in the left image and on the right in the middle: Bird's Nest Fern, variegated fig and Dracaena marginata. In the foreground of both images is the evergreen Distylium
Above, Upper left and right: Uvularia, also called merry bells; Lower left: native columbine; lower right: Heucherella 'Alabama sunrise.'
I like to walk in the garden in late afternoon. After a day of rain, I took the following photos as the sun was setting:
Blessings to you all! Deb
Reader Comments (22)
Gorgeous images, as always! We are telling ourselves the same thing about the rain here - and more forecasted through Monday. Oh, we are fickle about our weather here in the South, aren't we? Always hoping for the opposite of what we have!
Your woodland garden is so beautiful Deb, such a delight with all the different colours of foliage and your pretty flowers, love your first Aquiligia. I'm sure your fox is very happy by your new bridge, he certainly has a wonderful home!
It's always so beautiful in your garden Deb. And I know that when I see it here I can look forward to seeming some of those plants blooming around here...much later of course, but it's still beautiful to see.
Love your bridge...I would dearly love to have one in our dry stream bed also.
Jen
Beautiful sky/cloud photos!
I like your foxy bridge :)
Beautiful colours, garden and sky! Your garden is looking wonderful as always Debs!
Love all the photos especially those with the red maples. What a deal on your little bridge. Poppie and I were sitting on his back porch not too long before he passed and a fox came streaking across the yard in front of us (I hope I haven't told this story before). I was just stunned because we hadn't seen a fox out here in probably ten years. My memory is not the best but the streaking fox is one I don't think I'll forget. Wish we could get more rain...
Such lovely images in this post Deb! I love the leaf edged with raindrops and the perfectly round water droplets on the pink columbine. Best of all are the long shots. How glorious it all looks with the rain you've had. The new bridge fits in where the old one left off and I like the foxy addition.
Oh how lovely to see your raindrop splashed plants. If only we were getting some of that lovely liquid sunshine here! As usual, I had to scroll up and down several times to enjoy your photos. There's so much to enjoy. I just adore the colours in the Maples, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Magnolias and Camellias. Not plants I get to see in real life.
I love the new bridge too. Great colours.
Your garden, complete with the spring rain, fits my dream of what a garden should look like. I obviously live on the wrong side of the country! The droplets of rain hanging from the Columbine almost makes me want to cry - you should definitely treasure every drop. There's a 30% chance of light rain here next week - fingers are crossed!
April in your garden and especially your woodland is magical. I feel as you do about the rain in spring, too soon it will be so hot and the plants and I will be begging for some rain so I can accept it now although actually we have had little rain so far this April. Have a lovely week Debbie.
Magical...
So pretty! I miss seeing some of those plants here up north, like the azaleas and camellias. I'm glad you found the same bridge kit - I just adore that little wooden bridge! I hope the termites don't find this one, and it lasts a long time!
It's glorious to see all those flowers blooming in your garden. I especially love the pink columbines.
I really like your new bridge. The rain always makes a garden so fresh and the colors pop. Your garden with all the Japanese maples, azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias and camellias just rocks springtime. You captured those raindrops perfectly in your gorgeous photos.
Oh, it all looks so misty and healthy! Your photo looking back into the woods is so magical ... actually all the views are gorgeous!
Hi Deb! It is raining quite a bit , isn't it? You are totally right about not complaining though, take what comes! I love the new bridge and the the colour you painted it, your garden in always looking great!
Deb, I don't do jealous, however I really, really admire your fabulous large garden. So much to see and as for the woodland, well it speaks for itself. Have a great gardening season, rain or shine. Alistair
Deb I really enjoyed seeing all the blooms including the native wildflowers...everything covered in water looking refreshed....so lovely.
Deb, that last series of the sky is really something, and I love that photo with the brilliant red shrub shining all lit up by the setting sun.
Beautiful Deb, your garden always inspires.
Of course autumn is gorgeous, but April is a different riot of color. The grass is so green it makes your eyes hurt, and every tree is in bloom, while daffodils and tulips bloom at their feet. It's a beautiful time of year.
Congratulations on your new bridge.
I can't imagine your garden without its iconic bridge!