4/27/16

Flowers First

Today I needed to take care of a few things in the garden before doing my final packing. For one thing, I wanted to get the sunflowers into the ground. They're getting so tall, and I didn't want to give them four more days to grow before planting them. Today I planted seven, and there are three more that will need to grow a little more. As for two of them, sprouting would be a good place to start.

After that I took a walk around to check on what's blooming. It seems it's the rhodies turn to shine and several are beginning to open. This first one is almost in full bloom now. We were outside barbecuing last night and enjoying its profusion of blossoms.


Here's a close-up.


This is its cousin at the other end of the herb garden, and the flowers are just starting to open.


This is my favorite rhododendron. Its flowers look almost like orchids.


Also, I noticed the first delicate petals of the hydrangea are beginning to open.


As is the white azalea.


The red one is in full bloom now. Their colors are so bright, they are hard to photograph. I end up reducing the brightness and saturation on these to try to bring out the details.


Here's a close-up.


Also, I checked the plum tree for any signs of plums. Nothing yet, but it's probably too early. As I was walking back to the house, I noticed this huge wild-growing shrub along the fence line...our side of the fence, just to be clear. Not that I'm possessive about the bloomers or anything. We've been in this house 14 years as of June 1st, and I've never noticed this before. Probably because it's usually raining at this time of the year, and so I'm not out as much as I might be if the weather were better. In any case, it's a hawthorne...our very own. I've been seeing them out on our walks, and little did I know that we have a huge one growing in our own yard!


So there you have it. I'm pretty much packed up now except for loading things into the car and adding the last minute items.

Next time you hear from me, I'll be one day smarter (theoretically) about Designing from Nature and you can look for me to give you the blow by blow.

7 comments:

QuiltShopGal said...

Wow is your garden in beautiful bloom season. Stunning. Have fun on your getaway. I look forward to seeing pictures and hear about what you learn.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

Dana Gaffney said...

Beautiful! Your yard must be so gorgeous to just stand back and look at. Have fun and learn lots.

Cath said...

stunning blooms to be found in your garden....Rhodies are very prolific and popular here in Tasmania and I love to see them in full bloom. Have a good time at your workshop....looking forward to seeing what you got up to.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely flowers with us before your go. Oh, look - that scared little girl that had to be dragged to sit in the back of the room. Grown up and off to a 4-day class - so proud of you. LOL Have a great time

Wendy said...

What a treat to be able to enjoy some of the beauty of your yard. Presently we are in the "brown stage turning to green" as we wait for the very late arrival of warmer weather. It is very chilly here today in Minnesota, with rain. A good day to tuck in and quilt.

Kate said...

Beautiful flowers! Hope your class is going well.

quiltzyx said...

The flowers are so gorgeous! How cool that you found you have your very own Hawthorn too! I know what you mean about how bright the red Azalea. I have a miniature-ish rose bush that is nearly impossible for me to photograph because the red is so bright!
Thanks for letting us all enjoy your garden with you.