We have been watching the Mayapples as they are emerging.  They die all the way down to the forest floor in winter, then emerge in April.  At first they are really light green and fragile looking.  Then they harden off some, and become gorgeous green colonies all over the ground.  

 

The tops of the leaves stand about 12 inches high, and form a low canopy for the flowers.  You can see a white flower bud in the crook of two leaves.  Only the double leaves bloom.  So those are the ones I look for as we walk in the park.  I hope I get to show you some open flowers in the next week or so.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

I am so relieved.  We had that cold spell just as the Mahonia was blooming, and I wasn't sure the berries were going to make it.  And ALL of them did not, but lots of them are hanging on.  It looks like the birds will be happy with this bush.  I am too.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Can you believe this gorgeous thing, right outside my front door!!!!  And all the way down to the basement floor.  I planted it in this spot in 2006, and it has been beautiful ever since.  Yay!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

The Elaeagnus is blooming, and it is one of those bushes that announces itself BEFORE you see it.  It smells so sweet:  like cloves.  I love the scent;  Jon thinks it's too, too.  This is a spring blooming variety, not the autumn one.  I'll show you that one in September.  

 

I hope you have some near you.  If not, there are a bunch of them in the park, and one little one down by the creek.

 

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I am heading to Virginia today for a couple weeks with my peeps.  But before I go, I have to harvest a bunch of arugula for my sister.  She's the one who says, "You can't have too much arugula."  I hope she doesn't mind a little chickweed with it.

 

;)

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I've been watching the Christmas ferns for the past few weeks.  Every time we walk in the park I look for new fiddleheads.  The ones by my garden are starting to emerge, so I know it's time.  

 

And here they are!!!  Last year's leaves flatten down to the forest floor, and the new fiddleheads take over for this year.  

 

Aren't they just the coolest looking things?  I love them!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look who's blooming in the park.  We love the Kwansan Cherry trees.  They don't get fruit, but they have the most gorgeous blossoms.  They only bloom for about a week, and since it's been so dry, they lasted a little longer.  

 

I hope you get to see Kwansan Cherries where you are.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

We see that the Carolina Sweet Shrub in the park is blooming.  Of course the bush is a lot bigger than this, and covered in blossoms, but I wanted to show you the blooms up close.  The flowers are about the size of your thumb, and the most gorgeous color of burgundy.  The native bush grows about eight to ten feet tall, and a couple feet wide.  I don't know that you could spot it at 45 mph, but walking in the park, it is quite prominent.  

 

It makes me happy when I see them in bloom.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

We DO love seeing the Rhododendrons in bloom.  I know it is early April, but they are starting.  I remember May to be the season for Rhododendrons, but we will take them whenever they bloom.

 

Have I ever told you that we used Rhododendron blooms for our bridal bouquets back in 1975?  It's true.  I got married in the Botanical Garden in Norfolk, and we had permission to cut Rhodies for our bouquets.  I thought they were the most fabulous natural bouquets.  Just look at them!  Don't they look like bridal bouquets?  Perfect for May.  I guess if it had been July, we would have used Hydrangeas.  ;)

 

I hope you have Rhodies where you live, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

As we were walking in the park, we could hear Mr. Cardinal calling.  Then we saw a flash of red, and he landed in the tree right in front of us.  How exciting to be part of nature.

 

I hope you are enjoying spring in all its glory.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!