Winter lingered this year, not wanting to loosen its icy grip. Only 10 days ago we had snow, but the past few days have seen warmer temperatures. Spring is always beautiful. We have planted so many daffodils and other bulbs that erupt around the garden in patches of bright color. We relish this time of year and are grateful the blossoms last for weeks. Today the high temperature was almost 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Such temperatures cause the blossoms to wither.
We have thousands of daffodils in many different colors. The middle photo shows thousands of glory of the snow flowers.
We have many varieties of daffodils. These are unique in the manner in which multiple flowers bloom on a single stem.
We again hosted our daffodil tour over the weekend of April 12 and April 13. Of course, we had snow on the 12th. In addition to the tour, we invited friends for lunch. We had 20 people for lunch and had a wonderful time looking out at the snow and the rain. Some braves souls toured the garden. It was wet, but the daffodils were still bright. On Sunday the weather was better, and we welcomed a variety of visitors from the community.
We also have tulips blooming. I would like to plant thousands of tulips. Unfortunately, the deer would be too appreciative of my efforts. They are like candy for deer and none would be left. Those we have blooming are behind the pool fence.
We have violets that grow between the blue stone paving by the pool.
These tulips are so cheerful in appearance. The two colors almost seem unreal, as though someone had a paint brush and decided to decorate the tulip petals.
We have 1,000 more bulbs on order for planting this coming autumn. Next year will again see our tapestry of colors punctuating every turn in the yard.
Inside the house, we have been enjoying phenomenal orange colored blossoms from two clivia plants. These over winter in the basement. I move them down to the basement before the first frost. I water them once a month and then bring them up to the dining room in March. The blossoms last for many weeks. They will live outside all summer. The plants were a gift from our friends Tim and John.
Perhaps the most striking feature in our garden each year is the pink magnolia tree. In spite of the late snow, it has not disappointed us this year. A few petals were brown from the snow, but it still turned into a glorious display. The tree resembles a gigantic pink cloud. Today the petals began drifting down like snow, because of the higher temperature.
Our other magnolias were also beautiful this year. We have two star magnolias, with very aromatic flowers and an Ann magnolia, with vibrant purple petals.
In the woodland garden, trout lilies are blooming, proving once again nature has a way of selecting beautiful things for the garden without our needing to do anything. They are ephemerals that do not last long. We did not plant them, once we cleared out all the invasive plants, the lilies started sprouting.
We enjoy sharing our garden with our friends, neighbors and even the people we do not know who randomly show up to walk down our driveway. We are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. One of my lovely neighbors sent this delightful poem by William Wordsworth:
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
One parting thought. This year will be a challenging year in the garden. In April 2019, I officially stopped working. For the past 6 years, I have had an abundance of time to devote to the garden and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. Like the fading Spring blossoms, my free time is fleeting. I was asked to lead a company as president and chairman of the board. It is a remote position and should only be part time. Our garden may not be as tidy this year – as if it ever really is – with all the weeds. Still, I will find time to putter around, and frequent strolls to check on the plants will help me to achieve my step count for the day. Retirement will just have to wait.
Happy Spring
Your Spring garden is truly lovely. Nothing fills ones heart with joy than these early Spring blooms. Fleeting but the promise of warmer days to come. The magnolia is a stunner. Hopefully your new position will not keep you away from your garden too much.
Thank you, Elaine. I agree, Spring blooms are wonderful. I am trying to balance work and the garden, so far it is not too bad. I am a little behind, but I believe I can catch up.
What wonderful photos!
Thank you!