Beautiful April Garden

April may be the prettiest month in my garden.I recently had a garden party for the ladies in my church; over 90 people came! (Yes, we managed parking for everybody, and the garden came through completely undisturbed.) The weather was perfect, and we all had a great time. Everyone loves a beautiful garden. Would you like a brief tour? I will cover the woodland garden in my next post. Here are a few views around the patio and front garden:

Yes, that white flower in the front is Erigeron, also called Fleabane, a wildflower that is known as a common weed, though a very pretty one!

The following two images are of my first peony bloom, 'Shirley Temple.' I shot the top picture soon after the peony bud opened, after a heavy rain. The second photo is a few days later. Peonies are new to my garden this year, but not new to my heart, for I have loved them since childhood.

Columbine, purple salvia, Dianthus 'Bath's Pink' and a succulent called 'Blue Chalk Fingers.'

Penelope Rose is one of my favorites.

Romantica rose 'Orchid Romance.' I bought it because of its name!

This Voodoo Lily bloom did not open till the day after the garden party. Thankfully! The bloom smells exactly like a rotting corpse, and I was afraid it would spoil the party.

Foxglove 'Camelot'

Top row: Two views of Calibrachoa. Middle row: Blue Eyed African Daisy; Violas. Bottom row: Hybrid Columbine; Pink Dianthus.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. May you have a beautiful week!   Deb 

Late March in the Garden, 2016

I know it's Easter time again,
I feel it in the air.
The breath of spring with woodsy tang,
And new life everywhere.
And spring glides on with magic touch
O'er mountain side and glen;
And wakens all the sleeping plants
For Easter time again.

from "I feel it In the Air" by Edna Reed

It is an enchanted time in the garden when winter's darkness has fallen away. Spring light washes over the landscape and draws fresh life out of brown earth and gray branches. I walk in my garden and breathe in the fragrance of damp earth, clean air and velvety blooms, and I am swallowed by the exuberance of creation around me.

Trees at last are unfurling young leaves, and we are moving into mid spring with its marvelous mix of colors. Japanese maples are opening their bright leaves in the front garden.

Azaleas are blooming in shades of pink, purple, orange and white.

I am planting more woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata, this year. I have visions of drifts of this native flower floating through the woodlands. I have about a dozen plants now. I need lots more!

On this Easter day, the world is troubled and dark in many places, but my prayer is that God will bless you and fill your heart with hope proved true by His resurrection.   Deb