Mid-spring in Deb's Garden, 2018

I heard a commentator on the radio say that winter is like a grumpy old man, arguing and complaining about everything. You heave a sigh of relief as he finally starts to leave. But as he is going out the door, he turns back and says, "Oh, and one more thing..." 

We are well into mid-spring now, but with temps still sometimes dropping near freezing, I have not been able to plant summer annuals or veggies or put my potted tropical plants outdoors. But it won't be long. Meanwhile, spring flaunts its glorious colors, and the world is alive with new growth and fresh flowers.Young bloom of Rosa rugosa 'Alba' - a wonderfully fragrant species rose.Trees are green again. We have had plenty of rain (and some weeds grow two feet overnight). I enjoy the cool mornings and temperate afternoons. I am busy, busy, busy!

Here are some recent scenes around the garden. I wish you could also feel the crisp breeze, hear the birds chirp and the bees buzz, and smell the fragrances of fresh earth, pine straw and sweet blooms!

George Lindley Taber azaleas

Young blooms of Snowball Viburnum

Snowball Viburnum grows behind the pink birdhouse.

Clockwise from upper left: Native azalea; Snowball Viburnum; Late-blooming daffodil; Calycanthus floridus 'Athens' - it smells like ripe bananas.

Clockwise from left: Cornus Florida 'Cherokee Princess'; Aquilegia vulgaris (old fashioned Granny's Bonnet Columbine); Clematis 'H F Young.'

Heuchera 'Caramel'

I have forgotten the unpronounceable name of this Japanese maple I obtained from former Auburn head football coach Pat Dye, but I love its variegated pink foliage.

A scene in the front garden. The beautiful heuchera in front was a bargain find at the end of last summer that had no tag. I wish I knew its name, as I want to buy more!I hope you enjoyed a peek at my mid-spring garden. Blessings to you all!  Deb 

Marvelous May

May is saturated with colorful flowers and foliage, with fragrant jasmine and roses and newly mown grass, and with all sorts of bird song. Cheeps come almost incessantly from every bird house. I had a conversation yesterday with a tiny nuthatch who poked his head out and studied the world for a few moments. 

"Why, hello. You are cute," I said.

The little guy looked at me and asked where his mama was, as he was very hungry. Then he pulled back inside his abode, and a chorus of complaints from his brothers and sisters greeted him. It is crowded in there. It won't be long before they fledge.

May is a marvelous month, and sometimes I am overwhelmed by its beauty. Join me for a quick look at the garden. Most of these images were taken in late afternoon, when the land was gilded with golden light:

American smokebush, Cotinus obovatus

Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound'

Clockwise from top left: Hybrid rose 'Orchid Romance'; Rosa Mutabilis, also called Butterfly Rose; Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer'; Purple Salvia; Magnolia grandiflora, or Southern Magnolia; Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin', an old Bourbon rose that tolerates some shade; Penelope Rose; Rhododendron; Garden Phlox; Hibiscus.

An assortment of greens in the May garden:Clockwise from top left: Bird's Nest fern, a tropical that spends frost-free months in the woodland garden; leaves of the Chinese Pistache tree; Fatsia japonica 'Spider Web'; Burford Holly with berries that will turn bright red later in the year; Zantedeschia; Variegated Weigela.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a great week!