Vernal Equinox ~ 2016

Happy 'first day of spring'!!!  Everywhere we go, we see signs of it...Redbuds in bloom, trees leafing out, and racks and racks of plants for sale everywhere.  I'm waiting patiently for a week or two when I can see if I have room for any new purchases.  Meanwhile, I'm happy to see the return of some old friends...

'White Queen' Caladium, first of many.

Salvia Farinacea's returning everywhere, it's 'Victoria' or 'Sally'.

'Formosa' Azalea

'Mrs. G.G. Gerbing' by the back deck.

Saucer Magnolias, M. x soulangeana...I have no idea of the cultivar.  While trying to identify them, I learned that there are over 100 named cultivars, so mine will be the light ones and the dark  ones.  Real scientific, huh?

Light pink bloomer...

Dark pink...

Devil's Backbone

Even prettier with a Gray Catbird visiting.

These begonias have been in this pot for years.  I trimmed them up a few weeks ago and they're ready to bloom another year.

Holly Ferns are putting on their luscious new growth.  They spread around easily in the shade gardens by way of spores.

Desert Roses are beginning to bloom, but still scantily clad with leaves.

Yesterday, while enjoying a drizzling rain on the front porch, we saw our first Hummingbird of the season.  He headed straight for the Aloe, but the flowers have not quite opened yet.  There are numerous plants on the market sold as hummer enticements, and I have some of them.  I can only say that I've never seen a hummer on some of them, while Aloe has always been a magnet for hummers in my yard.

Some of the last Camellia blooms of the season, 'Dr. Tinsley'.

What could say spring better than a Carolina Wren building a nest?  We watched these two work together all morning.  I was delighted to see this one find a piece of  hydrangea bloom for the nest, next year I'll leave more scattered about...

By the end of the day, a beautiful nest!  We have enjoyed watching these two for several years.  The first year they nested on the porch, they built on top of the post that's under the box.  My husband added the box after the first brood flew.

One last thing to share,  this morning the Wood Ducks were on the bird feeder.  I took this photo through the window, but he's still magnificent.

I hope you're having the spring of your dreams!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ March 2016 ~ Central Florida

Spring is wondrous!  Even though we're still five days away from the official first day of spring, my garden is awakening from it's winter slumber. 

Pink Crinum Lily

My roses were pruned very hard four weeks ago, so most are just setting buds now.  Belinda's Dream is one of the few that are blooming now, she's to the left in photo...

Yangtze Daylilies have already begun, they're an early season bloomer - too early, as I haven't gotten all the foliage cleaned up yet.

This past Saturday was the Master Gardener's Spring festival for our area.  My daughter bought me this lovely Passion Vine, I'm hoping it hosts lots of butterflies.

Here's a couple other roses just beginning to bloom, first , Iceberg Climber on top of the gazebo...

Next, a little drift rose.  I believe next month will be the 'WOW' time for the roses in my gardens. 

First Gerbera Daisy of the year.

Also, the first Desert Rose bloom.

I have a six Saucer Magnolias (M. x soulangeana) on the property,  most blooming right now.  Two are a different variety and are just beginning to color up.

These begonias are a favorite of mine, the flowers will eventually be carried on stems ranging from 12 to 18 inches.  

Lots of Impatiens roaming around the shade beds.

Plans for tomorrow are to finish planting the vegetable garden and plant a cutting garden - mostly Zinnias, Tithonia, and Coneflower.  I wish you all beautiful blooms, and a wondrous spring.  To enjoy blooms from around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

Signs Of Spring

Hell-o everyone!  You're probably a gardener if you're reading this, so I'll make it short and sweet, because there's always one more thing to get done this time of year.  Spring is the busiest, but most enchanting time of the year, in the garden.  Love it, love it, love it!  I've got just a few things popping up and coming out...

Crinum,  this pink is always he first one to bloom.

Saucer Magnolias are just starting to show off...

I have this in several areas in the garden, but I need a plant ID.

Azaleas have been the slowpoke of the garden this year...

Serissa foetida, when I bought her years ago...now renamed Serissa japonica.  She's not one of those 'in your face' beauties, but she's a favorite shrub of mine.

Dahlberg Daisy thrives on neglect, reseeds everywhere.

'Belinda's Dream' rose is getting ready to pop...

Sage is just starting...

Turks cap has bloomed for what seems like forever...fine with me!

Toad Lily is reappearing in all the shade gardens, signs of spring.

Eastern Bluebirds are choosing their birdhouse now for their first brood.  This birdhouse has been used by them for several years.

Bluebirds typically have two or three broods a year.  Survival rate must be good, because we have an abundance of them...

This is not a great picture, but they're beauties nonetheless.  Cedar Waxwings love the berries from our 'East Palatka' Holly tree, but our resident Mockingbirds don't share well.

Cardinals are content to just sit...I could not be a Cardinal!

Marion County Master Gardeners' spring festival is happening this weekend.  There's always a great selection of plants that you'll never see in the big box stores, some homegrown.   Last year I passed up some 'Wendy's Wish' Salvia, and it was gone when I went back to the booth - this year, I'm grabbing it first time around.  I hope you're all enjoying your gardens and anticipating great things for spring.