Friday, April 5, 2013

Blessing Cups

For days the refrain has been singing in my head: "The blessing cup is a communion ..."

The emerging dogwood flowers are blessing cups of raindrops.

Emerging dogwood flowers 
Purple buds of the redbud 
Camellia, perhaps "April Rose"
Lettuce mix
Redbud
Enjoy the gifts showered around you. Happy spring!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Spring Comes to the Garden

I returned from a family visit to Florida and over the Easter weekend it became spring. The forsythia bushes in my new garden are gorgeous - and the prolonged cold meant a long season of color.


Phlox mixed with daffodils and irises spills over the curb. 


One of the two hellebores I took with me from my old house. I'm counting on this hellebore to be the parent of many children.


A stunning 20-foot tall camellia flanks the entry gate into the side yard. It had buds for many months before it bloomed, but it has been worth the wait. I love the surprises of a new garden!


On Easter my husband and I visited the JC Raulston Arboretum. I'd like to grow this lovely daffodil ('Pink Pride') below. The daffodils in our yard had a lovely run of bloom, but they're done. 


 One of the many magnolias in bloom at the Arboretum. I believe this is Magnolia stellata 'Rosea Jane Platt.' Too bad we don't have room for more trees!


The emerging foliage of a Japanese maple. 


 Spring tree colors may be prettier than autumn's. This is the view across the street.


I'm still working on finding a balance between work, time in the garden, photography and blogging. I may experiment with simpler blog posts or set a weekly deadline and post something more substantial once a week. Either way, I want to continue to share and learn from the garden blogging community. I miss you all!