And just beneath the Fringe Trees are these beautiful Iris.  And they smell divine too.  We could have stayed there all day, just breathing the air.

 

I know where you can get some Iris corms if you want to grow them in your garden.  Let me know if you're interested.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We saw the Fringe tree in the park blooming, but its blooms were up too high to get a good pic.  So we doubled back to the Methodist Church where I know there are several beautiful specimens, and took this picture.

 

They are at the entrance to the sanctuary, and when you get close to them you can smell the most gorgeous perfume.  

 

Definitely worth a trip to Blairsville to experience these trees.  They are fabulous.

 

They are probably blooming now in Yorktown too, along Fort Eustis Blvd.  I miss seeing them along the highway.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Good job you guys!!!  For keeping your Rhododendrons alive and out of the clutches of the deer for a whole year!!!

 

They are so pretty right now, but it will soon be time to cover them with wire cages to keep the deer away.  Don't wait too long.  :D

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look how much the cinnamon fern has grown.  We love that there are big rocks around it, so the mowers don't get too close.  

 

It's up about 30 inches.  Beautiful at every stage.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look at Roxanne's Clematis in bloom.  They grow all the way up this trellis to the top of the garage, but I wanted to get the gnome in the picture too.  

 

So pretty!!!  Makes me think of a Fairyland.

 

THANKS ROXANNE!!!

 

When we were walking in the park yesterday we saw trillions of trilliums blooming.  Some pink, some white.  They grow in colonies, and always make me smile.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Been looking for this ever since spring started.  It is blooming now.  Showy Orchis, a real native orchid in our area.  

 

My Wildflowers in Color book says that this is the southern limit of its range, and that they are common in rich woods at low and middle altitudes.  It may be common, but it is still exciting to discover an orchid blooming in the woods.

 

There used to be one on the Creekside Trail, near the bridge, but I haven't seen it yet this year.  I'll keep checking.  Let me know if you see it.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look how big the Bloodroot leaves get after the flowers are done.  These leaves are about the size of my open hand.  

 

They are so pretty on the forest floor.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Hey, Sandy!  The Flame Azaleas in your yard are beautiful right now.  I thought I would share them with everybody, to remind us all to look for them all through the woods.  There are so many in our neighborhood, along the roads, in our yards, along the trail.

 

Next time you are out in the woods, be sure to look for them:  Yellow, orange, and red azaleas.  FLAMES!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

The Wisteria is blooming this year, and it is beautiful!!!  Its flowers perfume the air all around our yard.  And it has traveled up our trees to about 40 feet.  

 

I wish I could send you the flowers and their fragrance for your birthday, but this is all we can do for now.  Actually, Wisteria is probably blooming where you are too, so be on the lookout in your travels, and think of me loving YOU!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETSY!!!