Progress ... Firsts

I've always loved the symmetry and beauty of trees without leaves in winter. I never saw this phenomenon until I was 24, the first time I saw snow. Growing up in Florida meant that things were always green, palm fronds were always wafting in the breeze, and flowers were always abloom. As a child I never thought about it. It was what was, and children always accept what is and often generalize their own experiences to the global village. It's what they know and rarely question the world as they know it. That said, I did know about snow and longed to see it. In fact, I was always puzzled by my Yankee cousins jealousy that I lived in Florida. When I countered that they had snow, every one of them thought I was nuts.

Every year during winter I look at the bare trees. Each one is a beauty, and I admire them all. Then, suddenly small buds appear and spring is on its way. We had hot days in April; some days were above 90. Because of this, I grew antsy and decided to plant things well before the last frost day in mid May. Then, of course, it grew cold in early May and we had a couple of frosts. One morning recently I woke up and it seemed that overnight many things had burst into bloom. Of course, there were things planted by former owners. Then, just yesterday, I found blossoms on plants that I had put in the ground in the past two weeks. I got so excited I ran in and got my camera. Then I took pictures of everything in my yard that's in bloom. I'm sorry now that I failed to photograph the blood root that was an early bloomer. I hope that next year I'll remember to begin photographing when the first buds appear. I also hope that the newly planted perennials that are just now beginning to show their colors are healthy, thriving and producing a riot of color.

Thankfully, we had rain overnight and today so I haven't needed to water. Armies of weeds are sprouting forth so I need to get out and pluck, pluck, pluck. Mostly, though, I must get mulch. That will help the ground hold water keeping plant roots watered and also will help with the weeds. Below are the firsts: Several are from my spring plantings while the rest were thanks to previous owners of my house.

If my memory serves me correctly, this is a gazania. Each flower is a variety of colors from yellow and orange to purple. You can clearly see the need for better mulch. This mulch is made from wood chips and is not intended for flower beds. It was already here when I bought the house.

These, of course, are not flowers, but huge ferns (ostrich?) that just popped up. Behind them are rhodies.

There are money plants. Some people think they are weeds, but I like them. You can see the "coins" already forming.

This lovely tame bleeding heart has delicate blooms.

I found this wild geranium in the backyard. I used to grow them at my townhouse. I love the pungent aroma of the leaves.


These two pictures are rhodies ... at least that's what I think they are. It doesn't matter. They are lovely no matter what their name. In the bottom picture an azalea is in front.

Huge clumps of stella d'oro daylilies border my shade garden. This is the first bloom of the year.

These irises are about to burst open. I can't wait!

The johnny jump-ups I planted are thriving even though there is no mulch to protect them.

This is a wild bleeding heart. When we lived down "on the run" (Norris Run) we had banks of them everywhere; there they came up by themselves with no help.

One of the calla lilies I planted. They are still blooming.

Another calla lily. I love them so much and was thrilled when Rachael chose them for her bridal bouquet.

Shucks. I cannot remember the name of this plant at the moment. I'll have to go look at the tag that is hiding under the leaves.

Have I mentioned how much I love heucheras (coral bells)? This one is an early bloomer.

Hooray! One of the oriental poppies burst forth yesterday.

I am expecting that this tiny plant with one tiny bloom will mound and mound and mound and be covered with a multitude of flowers. This is a sunpatiens and I have high hopes for it and its sister plants.