Friday, May 29, 2009

Spring in Bloom


Here it is almost the end of May, and my poor blog has been quite neglected! So to remedy that, here are some photos of a few of the blooms currently gracing my gardens....




This Columbine is a favorite of mine. I don't remember the name, but it is one of the McKana types. I like the two toned pink color, and the yellow stamens. It blooms longer and stays a nice compact size, in contrast to the bonnet types....which I often end up pulling out because they outgrow their space.






I am fond of these 'Cutie Pie' Violas, and as you can see.... the bees like them, too!







My daughter gave me this lovely Spanish Lavender plant for my birthday. It is a new variety called Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk'. After the first flowers have faded, the stems can be cut back for a second bloom time. And the best thing about it? It is a zone 5 plant, so I can overwinter it here... instead of having to replace each Spring.





A close-up of the wonderfully scented 'winged' Lavender blooms.






This week brought the first blooms of Periwinkle, Vinca Major 'Variegata'. I love the soft creamy color on the edges of the leaves, which really brightens up the rock gardens.






The first bloom of Clematis 'Niobe' opens it's dark red flower on the porch post.







There is a pleasing contrast of the white anthers against the dark blooms.






Also making an appearance now are the Lupines. The blue ones are a wild form, which I think have a nice Cottage look. If you click on the photo to enlarge, you can see a bed of Iris in bloom, behind the birdhouse.






And lastly.... a favorite vintage, weathered wood planter filled with Impatiens and hung from the light under the front porch, where it gets a little morning sun, and then shade for the remainder of the day. This was a great yard sale find, along with 2 others of similar style.



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Thank you to so many of you, for your get well wishes, as I have been down with a bout of Pleurisy. Recovery has been slow and is still not complete, but I have been able to do a few small tasks in the garden each day, which helps my spirits! And I have a wonderfully helpful husband, who has been called upon to do many of the tasks I don't yet have strength for.




34 comments:

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

I'm so glad you're beginning to feel better. And the flowers are so beautiful.

Randy said...

Just stunning photos. I can't tell you how jealous I am of your Lupines! I want to grow them so bad, but everything I've read says we get too hot here. :-( I'm good a mind to try it anyway!--Randy

Bren Haas said...

It is always delightful to stop by your garden in cyber space! Wonderful columbine you share with us today. I hope you enjoy your weekend in the garden so you have more to share on Monday.

Lisa Blair said...

I love that clematis. How beautiful! The light center against the dark petals is very lovely.

sweetbay said...

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you've had pleurisy. Hope you continue to feel better and can get out in the garden. Your lupines are lovely. We can't really grow them here and have to make do with Baptisias.

Petunia's Gardener said...

What a cheery garden you have! Hope you are feeling better every day. Paula

Anonymous said...

Hi Connie~~ I think we're all a little behind on our blogging thanks to long, blissful days in the garden. My C. 'Niobe' has also started to bloom. She's a beaut.

Avis said...

Your lavender is awesome. I've never seen one with a bloom like that... Spanish you say? Can you cook with it? Cheers!

Unknown said...

Looking around your gardens should speed your recovery for sure. Just beautiful!!

Beth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beth said...

Glad to hear you're coming around Connie. Love the cute yard sale planters for your impatiens! Those are the best finds, aren't they?!?!?
I planted a pink columbine last year and it's almost blooming. I've never planted them before but am really enjoying it so far. Not sure if it's the same variety as yours ...

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What beautiful flowers! I just love the columbine!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wonderful pictures! It's always nice to see the beauties that are blooming in northern gardens. Most won't grow here so I enjoy them via the web.

I do hope you're feeling much better with each new day.

FlowerLady

O.I.M said...

your garden is looking great, connie. I really must add some lupines to my garden. glad to hear you are feeling better. all the best.
irena

F Cameron said...

Beautiful photos of your beautiful flowers. Do get well soon.
Cameron

Kathleen said...

oh, what a find that beautiful wood planter was Connie! I love it. Glad you are feeling better and can get out in the garden a bit. You have some beautiful blooms out there that are sure to cheer you up. I have some pink & red lupine but just found plants of that gorgeous blue this spring. I'm really glad I bought them now that I've seen your photo. The lavender was a nice gift, wonderful that it will come back year after year too. Great photo of the pink & white columbine too.

sweetbay said...

Hi Connie, you asked about this on my blog -- yes Eastern Gray Beardtongue is native. It likes sun and good drainage. I don't know why on earth "gray" is in the common name! Color varies from pink to electric violet blue.

Victoria Williams said...

A zone 5 Spanish lavender? Wow, nice! Love that pink columbine. Nice. I have that same Niobe clematis, our lives in a pot and blooms its head off each spring, as it is now.
Glad you're finally feeling a bit better.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Lovely photos. The pink columbine is so delicate and lovely. One of my favorites.

Love that Vinca Major 'Variegata'. Very striking.
Marnie

Jan said...

I'm so sorry you have been ill, Connie:-( I hope you'll soon feel healthy and strong again! What a lovely garden you have; the clematis is a beauty. I love the lupines-they're fabulous! I like your hanging basket, too;-)

Hang in there! Jan

joey said...

Your columbine is especially stunning, Connie! Get well soon ... I hear your voice :)

Gram said...

So glad you are recovering and the flowers are beautiful

Sue said...

Everything looks so wonderful-I love them all-but am particularly fond of your Lupine. I've not tried them yet.....
That rustic planter is adorable. Love your site!

geos said...

beautiful flowers

Unknown said...

Thank you for your get-well-wishes. I'm glad that you are getting better as well.
I love your Lupines! I've never had any luck with them, unfortunately.
About what to plant on our new pergola... I thought wisteria - but I have chickens that eat everything and the seed pods are poisonous. So, maybe Trumpet vine? - but it'll tear the paint off the house... Jordon hates roses, so climbing roses won't work(how sad!) So, now I'm thinking grapes... until I find the negative to that as well, I guess! :-P

Bren Haas said...

The Clematis 'Niobe' is amazing... thank you for posting the name - I think mine is that variety as well.

Happy Gardening - have a blessed rest of the spring season.

joey said...

Get well soon, dear Connie. Your lovely garden wishes you well as do I. Happy June :)

Chris said...

Beautiful pictures! Glad you have that wonderful husband to help keep the garden going while you recover! Lovely columbine. It is a flower I never thought much about but a gem that I'm really enjoying as I grow it and see unique varieties that others are growing.

Miranda Bell said...

Hi Connie - some of my absolute favorite plants - beautiful! I particularly like the clematis - not seen that one over here but will keep my eyes peeled as it's really stunning. Hope everything is going well over with you.... we're having a very wet week here - thus the time to visit a few of my favorite blogs! take care Miranda

ChrisND said...

Your blooms are looking nice...I like the Lupine "Cottage" corner -- fitting for your garden and the irises in the background add something extra. I finally have a viola seedling in bloom...they are always good to see.

Seasonal Wisdom said...

What a lovely cottage garden you have. It looks like spring has definitely arrived in your area now. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be back to visit again.

Heather said...

Connie- your blooms are beautiful! I love that columbine and your clematis is stunning! Glad your weather has permitted some garden time!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Your blooms are lovely! I love your lupines.

Mikey Fuller said...

The Spanish lavender is lovely! I have several of those on the side of my house. They never bloomed last year, and 4/6 have bloomed so far this year. However, boy did they grow! They were 10" pots about 10" high less that a year ago, now they are nearly 30" around!