SOME BLUE THINGS

this japanese iris really looks darker and bluer in the garden, but i can never seem to get it to photograph in its true color. omphalodes continues to bloom. the buds start out pink. baptisia, always dependable, but not a great photographic subject!veronica

SOME RED THINGS

i have to apologize, i do not remember which allium this is, but once it blooms, i'll identify it. unless you beat me to it!the southern magnolia's new growth is red, and it looks ready to bloom (but it's only leaves!)the first flower of mt. laurel 'pinwheel' opened.

NECTAROSCORDUM SHOWS OFF

nectaroscordum doesn't look like much just hanging around the garden, but the view from below is glorious...and, as i've already posted, buds tumble dynamically from their sheaths...
but by crouching low, one can view them framed by the sky.
here is the plain jane look from the top... i plant these among my hostas, and the alliums are so tall and smell so rubbery, that the deer leave these hostas alone for much of the summer.

PESTS & PROTECTORS 2

why are dandelions so beautiful?heavily laden bee heading for rhodi
another safe landing
can you spot the bunny in the north garden?
this tiny bunny is living under our woodpile, much to the dogs ' delight. so far the bun has been munching on tulip tree flowers that are dropping everywhere. but look out, ms. bun, i have my eyes on you! (well, there are plenty of alpine strawberries to go around...)

COLOSSUS SUNNY MORNING

back-lit m. sieboldii colossus' pendulous flowers are 3 inches across. this small magnolia reminds me of the lunch-box tree in 'tick-tock of oz,' as the branches are lined with of buds of various sizes.baptisia and columbine are back-lit by a strong morning sun.
enkinanthus flowers drinking in the sun.

COLUMBINE CROSSINGS

what started with nora barlow red and blue has led to many colors of columbine.
this one is just blushing...pinky framed by ferns
bright pink
not quite as dark as the original
blue and red...

CAROLINA SILVERBELL

the silverbell budded beautifully this year, but then a major trunk suffered wilting of unknown origin. I removed the dead branches. i saw no sign of pest or disease. anybody know what it might be?luna likes to pose under the silverbell. this picture looks nice enlarged.

ALLIUMS EMERGE

alliums are another of my favorite things, as they are more beautiful whilst emerging than in full flower, and the deer hate them. here simple chives burst finely veined tissue...nectaroscordium gracefully gyrate, guided by gigantic hosta's curves?starfish on a bed of coral? rosenbachianum, methinks.

PESTS & PROTECTOR

hind end of a protector perched on a peony.
she turned around, and flew off too quickly for me.drenched dandelion.
i noticed this lurker after downloading photos to the computer.

FAVORITE HOSTA - FRANCES WILLIAMS

there are many beautiful hostas, but frances williams is the most dramatic! this shot followed our big rain...the leaves are so hydrophobic - will you look at this surface tension! this comfy droplet is lentil-sized. frances williams reveals her colors and textures!

SOUTH STREET GARDEN PEAKS

the south side street garden is in peak.... with a gaudy broom,nora barlow columbine that have somehow developed spurs... here is the view from the curb... you can see the pearl bush in the back on the left

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT

i obtained this spectacular rhody a few years back on a jaunt with my mother to rosalyn nursery on long island... wonderful that it is reaching its glory to honor mother's day, because every time i see it i think of her! happy mother's day, mom!this adorable indian lantern is my daughter's gift to me today... of course hubs is getting me a bandit (plus cherry chocolates, my vice!)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

and what mother would not want to spend the day in her garden?
the tree peony is in the square garden, here is a still-perky bloom the tree peony, with some dissipated blooms and some youthful
the square garden slowly awakens... the tree peony is out of the picture on the left, the japanese maple in the center wants its pruning.
i let strawberry 'lipstick' run rampant in the square garden.

FOOL'S FRONT GARDEN

our house is almost 100 years old, and like many old houses, is situated close to the street. the pink dogwood is a wonder from all the front windows. our property goes up to the white car in the distance. this view is looking north; many of the neighbors have spectacular trees. looking south is yet another close up of the woodland garden under the dogwood. past this garden, on the other side of the driveway, is the pearl bush. pink trilliums and muguet in the woodland gardenhosta frances williams unfurls in the afternoon sun in the back garden

SPRING PEARLS

This is exochorda, or pearl bush; pictured on April 28...and now the bush is spectacularly blooming.