Spring Finery

I haven't been able to garden properly for about a year and a half now. It's very frustrating.

Ubiquitous Weeds


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

I realized as I did my grocery shopping yesterday that at this time of year I would normally go to the garden centre in the parking lot before even thinking about milk and eggs and breakfast cereal and all that other stuff. But this year I have other things on my mind.

Backyard: "Good Bones"


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Luckily, the garden has "good bones", and -- except for the ubiquitous weeds and last fall's detritus still waiting to be cleared -- it still manages to put on a decent show. Daffodils, tulips, and iris are the main players, although a lot of what was blooming was already past its prime when I took the photos. Like these magnolia blossoms.

Magnolia Blossoms (Past Their Prime)


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Or some of these daffodils.

Hybrid Daffodils


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

These are some early tulips, which were at their peak about a week and a half ago.

Early Tulips, First Year Showing


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Now we have the later tulips putting on a show. Many of these bulbs are a couple of years old now. The flowers are smaller, slightly frail-looking, compared to the first year of planting. I'm grateful, though, that they continue to bloom.

Late Tulips, from Older Bulbs


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

The irises are also putting on a good show, including my favourite dwarf iris, 'Grape Orbit'.

Dwarf Iris 'Grape Orbit'


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Some other blooms that I like at this time of year are Pasque Flower, which can be quite photogenic, though they are hard to photograph being so close to the ground. I usually just hold the camera down in front of the flower, snap a few photos, and hope for the best. Sometimes I get one or two good photos in the bunch.

Pasque Flowers


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

And finally, a promise of what comes next in the garden. Here is a poppy bud that should be ready to bloom at the end of May or early June.

Poppy Bud


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

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