Beautiful Blooming Deutzia

Our Deutzia has really bloomed this year. 
You can see the wine-colored  irises
are just starting to pop out amid the pearly blooms.

Rain in Due Season and Iris Blooms

Sheltered by the Norway Spruce and warmed by the brick,
the season's first Iris offer a bright sparkle of azure
on this grey, rainy day.

Then I will give you 

rain in due season, 

and the land 

shall yield her increase...

Leviticus 26:4

Today we are experiencing a soft, gentle, on-and-off rain and more of the same is forecast for the week ahead. This is just the boost that my newly-planted seeds and seedlings needed.  When the golden rays of the sun return and share their warmth with the soil, we should see our seedlings growing taller by the minute and our carrot, beans, and corn seeds breaking free of their earthly straight jackets and reaching eagerly toward the sky.

The Viburnums are Blooming

My viburnums are beginning to come into bloom.  We have three different varieties here on our property and they bloom at slightly different times.  All of them, however, will be covered with red berries which will ripen to a dark purple.  The birds adore them.  They are so very lovely!  Want to know more about viburnums? 

Check out this link.

Dogwoods, devilish pea-stealing thieves, potatoes, and weeds...a garden update

Brocoli & Lettuce Seedlings
now in the coldframes

Walked out to garden yesterday morning and lo and behold, some evil creature (rabbit, deer, vole, troll,  garden gnome?) had consumed 95% of my pea seedlings.  Sadly we will harvest no peas from the garden this year.  However, having no time to mourn, we moved the cold frames to this bed and planted planted out our tiny brocoli and lettuce seedlings just in time for a major thunder storm.  They were snug and cozy while the storm raged about them.   Hopefully they will not suffer the same terrible fate as our lovely little pea plants. 

Before the storm hit, we were working like crazy to prepare more planting beds and did manage to get a nice bed created for the five yellow raspberry plants we received from Norse Farms in the mail two days ago.  I hope they flourish in their lovely new space.

Potatoes poking through the soil

More good news.  The potatoes are up and the onions we planted seem to be thriving.  We did lose about ten of the yellow onions; however, all the purple onions seem to be growing well.  The potato, strawberry, and onion/herb beds were all weeded.

There is much, much more to do.  But the garden looks happy after its manicure.







I saved the best for last...check out the Dogwood - now in full bloom.

Stay tuned, the Iris and Viburnums and roses will bloom next.

And now the Redbuds...

Oh Glorious Spring!

Consummately Captivating Camellias

I have never seen them this laden with blooms...and there are more opening every day!
The little dogwood to the left will soon be in full bloom.  What a sight it will be - stay tuned.

Consummately Captivating Camellias

'Tis the Season...Camellias and Flowering Quince

My Camellias are Blooming Their Hearts Out

And so is my Flowering Quince - Gorgeous!