Clematis

Time to catch up on my garden blog.  I've so enjoyed my time out digging in the dirt that I haven't stopped to record it.  These are a few shots of the clematis I took a couple weeks ago.

crowded flowers

I have such limited space for flowers that need full sun that too often I try to cram in more than I should.  I'm thinking my big yarrow plant in the front is going to have to go to make room for other things.   I've got a dahlia behind it that is definitely getting crowded and blocked from the sun.  Sigh.
I talked to a friend who lives up the street who will give it a new home.  At least there I can go visit on occasion.

Lupine

Delphinium

Delphiniums always remind me of my Aunt Joy who loved them in her gardens and often brought them into the house as cut flowers.   She taught me to love flower gardening more than anyone.  Sure do miss her.  Sometimes when I see these beautiful blue blossoms I think of her looking down from heaven and smiling.

Iris

My husband refers to Iris as "Much ado about nothing" because they don't last long at all.  Still, they are among my favorite flowers so I always have to make room for a few.  I did dig up about 2/3 of my purple and give away this year to make room for a few new colors.

Peas

Whether it's sweet peas in my flowerbeds or snow peas in my garden, they both like the hotter days we are getting now.  My plants are thriving.

Columbine

A few random shots

I am hoping to get some decent photos of the iris and clematis that are now blooming - they are truly lovely.  But until I do, here are a few random shots from the yard recently.

Laurel

Oregon Grape

Morgan the Wonder Dog

My ONE sunny spot in the back yard

Star Flower

Photo from PlantingFlowerBulbs.com

Yesterday evening I found a small bag hanging by my front door.  Inside were several bulbs, a couple with the white flowers still attached.   I had NO ideas where these came from or what they were.  I called all the usual suspects, but none of my regular garden pals would fess up.   I was delighted to receive these but quite baffled to figure out how they got there.   Finally I got a call from one of my across-the-street neighbors asking if I had found the bulbs she had left.  She says they are Star Flowers  and that they will spread quite a bit, which is why she had some to share.  I just love bulb flowers so I am so pleased to introduce these into my mix of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and allium.  In a couple years they are likely to begin proliferating at my place too, so if one day you come home to find a bag of bulbs by your door, I just may be guilty.

Allium

Our Allium have opened up and the hollyhocks in front of them are getting huge.  After a wet, cool patch of spring weather today it hit 80 degrees so I expect lots of things will be opening soon.