spring flowers – Fine for Friday

April is bursting 18 April 2025

The title says it all. It is spectacular around here now. The daffodils and azaleas are done. The hydrangeas will soon take their place. There are numerous other spring flowers to enjoy.

The temperatures are warm. The days are longer. Rain is needed now. The forecast says we should expect some next week. It will be welcomed if only to clear up some of the pine pollen and oak catkins that are cluttering the deck, driveway and rain gutters.

I will be joining Six on Saturday tomorrow. If you are curious, join us at this website https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The pink sorrel is a native and some consider it a weed but it is too beautiful to pull up, so I tolerate it.

The yellow Gerber is the first of its type to appear this year.

The Baptisia (Indigo) is a showy native.

The pink Columbine was gifted to me some years ago and is now self seeded to many places in the yard.

The bearded iris is an example as to why blue is a regal color.

The blue flag iris was gifted to me some years ago and I am grateful each time that I see them.

I hope your garden is giving you pleasure. Happy gardening!

Spring! At last! 22 Mar 2024

How beautiful a start to Spring. The sunny days and ample rain has been making it spectacular. It is such a treat after the dreariness of January and February.

It’s been a very busy week for me. Some potatoes appearing and my onions are large enough to enjoy as scallions. I have planted some verbena, some cosmos and some snapdragons in the perennial bed.

Several container plants have been repotted and this years first crop of propagated seedlings have been potted up.

This Saturday, look for the SixonSaturday group. Gardeners from around the globe will be posting 6 recent favorite photos and showing the best of their gardens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. We are hosted by the capable Jim Stephens.

The Solomon’s seal should be bloom in a few days but the arching stems with the buds are attractive. The grouping is thriving and multiplying.

My three blueberry bushes are off to a great start and are covered in blooms. I can’t wait to be able to harvest some but I do have to keep ahead of the birds and even deer who really enjoy them too.

The Florida anise is a beautiful native shrub which has been thriving in my yard. It does need some attention in the heat of summer with extra water.

The Golden Alexander has reseeded in many locations in the yard much to my pleasure. It is a very elegant native.

The Columbine is in a planter that sits on a block wall. It has reseeded heavily in that location and it is a very agreeable bloomer.

The last photo is a late blooming daffodil. I have lost the name but it is a very pretty bloom.

I hope you have an opportunity to spend some time in your garden. It is a wonderful time of the year.

Happy Gardening!

It is Spring 12 May 2023

A walk in Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I have been vacationing at the beautiful Gulf Coast city of Destin, Florida this week. The area is beautiful and the seafood is world class. For your pleasure, I am posting photos taken this past week on a walk through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where I volunteer each week.

Upper left is a mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia. These native plants are outstanding this year.

Middle right is a group of pitcher plants. This is of the genus Sarracenia and are native to South Alabama.

Upper right is woodland phlox or Phlox divaricata which is native to Alabama woodland forests.

Lower left is Amsonia sp or eastern blue star.

Lower center is a native azalea which have been magnificent this year. I am not sure of species here.

Lower right is a striking native known as firepink or wooland pinkroot. It is Spigelia marilandica.

I am adding this one for you which is a dogwood by appearance of the leaf but with this. striking blooms.

Those are my six. They are natives and local. I will be posting photos from my usual locations next week.

Have a look at our Six on Saturday posts tomorrow. The site is curated by Jim Stephens. Find the link here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy gardening!!