Magic Light in the Garden

I must be kin to a lizard. I suffer terribly on gray, cold days, coiled under cover and biding my time with a sluggish spirit. But let the warm sun shine, and I am out! Basking in the regenerative rays, all energy renewed, taking it in, joy, joy!This Talavera lizard doesn't like freezing weather, either, but he enjoys warmer months outside on the patio.

Winter, mild though it is compared to most of the country, has persisted far too long for my comfort. So when temperatures recently climbed into the 70s and the gentle light of spring washed over the earth, I was ready to officially declare winter gone for the year. Out came the cushions for the patio furniture. Into the garden went the tropical plants that had spent the last few months in Lou's office. ( And Lou was happy that his work space no longer smelled or looked like a greenhouse.) 

Cruel joke! The last two days have been cold again with rain, and more predicted today. But I'm OK. I know it is only winter dragging its last nasty tentacles behind. On the good days I was able to get out to take photos, and I have enjoyed reviewing them as I prepared this post.

The garden is pretty enough, but there are moments when light transforms it into something magical, and those moments are maybe what I do all the work for.

Here are a few shots of the magic light in the garden. Enjoy!

In the woodland garden:

The new birdhouse at the entrance to the woodland garden will soon get a flowering vine, probably a clematis. Meanwhile, plants around its base are beginning to grow:

Here's another birdhouse in the woodland garden. It's an old birdhouse in a new location and an equally old, rusty bird has laid claim to it:

The columbine I planted earlier this year continues to bloom well:

A few more shots inside the woodland garden:Clockwise from upper left: This Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda) was a rescue plant. I think it has finally made the turn toward health. Acer japonica 'Vitifolium' has put out its first leaves. I planted this little tree last September. A recent late freeze frosted a Saucer magnolia, but I am happy that some undamaged flowers are now opening. Fern fronds are coming up all over the woodland garden. Surely a sign that winter is past!

I love the woodlands this time of year, but other parts of the garden will not be overlooked.

Dogwoods and azaleas are just beginning to bloom, and soon they will be putting on a show!

March Woodlands

We gardeners are inordinately tuned to the weather. At night we think, Will it rain tomorrow? Will it freeze tonight? In the morning we poke our heads out the door first thing. Wonder if those clouds will last? What's the temperture now? Will it warm up this afternoon? Will it storm? We consider all those things, then hurry back inside to turn on the weather channel for an official forecast. Not trusting that, we look it up on the internet, then ask our family members and friends for their own weather predictions.

This March has teased us with just about anything we could anticipate: thunderstorms and frosty nights and cool days and gray days and blue skies and warm days, staggering back and forth like a drunk, headed toward April, where finally there is no going back but only forward into the glory days of spring.

Every chance I get, I search the woodlands for new growth, and I am not disappointed:

A fern frond unfurls:

Tree buds are opening, and this is the most conclusive evidence of springs' entrenchment. Below is Japanese maple 'Orido Nishiki':

This Orido Nishiki is one of my favorite woodland garden trees. I not only love its foliage; I also love the color of its bark:

Trilliums are popping up in the woodlands. These natives inspired me to add a secondary path in the woodlands, just so I could more easily enjoy them:

Here are some larger views of the March woodland garden. Recent rains have made the moss path lush and velvety:

And how about this for evidence of spring: The Easter bunny! Those pretty little yellow flowers are Nacissus bulbocodium (Hoop Petticoat Daffodil - a perfect name!)

May you have the hope of rebirth and restoration, even as spring comes surely after the winter.  Happy Easter!   Deborah