Oh, how I love spring!

It's hard to believe that it's the end of April already. Between persistant cold weather and rain a few nice days appear here and there.  I could probably count on one hand the actual spring-like days we have had. Saturday was one of them and of course I had to work but I got up early and took my cup of coffee and camera and took a stroll through the garden to see what is blooming.

Virginia Bluebells

Who doesn't love these? I love blue flowers anyway and these are one of my favorites. These have been a very slow grower for me but I think my clump is finally big enough to split. I'll do that when they are done blooming and just before they go dormant for the summer. 

Primroses

At one time I wasn't that fond of Daffodils but I have so much trouble with critters eating the tulip bulbs I start planting more Daffodils. Now I can't imagine a garden without them!

Ziva Paperwhites

Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart

 Dicentra formosa

These are supposed to bloom all summer unlike......

 Dicentra spectabilis which go completely dormant by mid-summer.

The few tulips I have are just opening. This is Angelique and has surprisingly returned for the second year. I rarely have tulips return two years in a row. I have these planted right up against the house and I guess the squirrels and chipmunks haven't found them there.

Tulip 'Claudia'

These were planted last fall and this clump came up and the other one just a few feet away didn't. Getting very annoyed angry at those critters!

Grape Hyacinths and  Periwinkle 'Vinca minor'.

Wood Anemone

Rue Anemone

Pulmonaria 'Majeste'

Despite their unfortunate common name Lungworts, they are some of the most showy and dependable spring bloomers. Plants should be cut back hard after blooming to rejuvenate the leaves, which will then remain attractive all season.

Lamium 'Red Nancy'

I like this for a ground cover. This might be considered evasive for some but it's well behaved for me. It's very easy to remove where I don't want it.

I showed my Star Magnolia on gardeners bloom day just when it was starting to bloom but I have to show it again in full bloom. It bloomed more profusely this year than it ever has. We had a huge maple tree cut down last year that was keeping this Magnolia in mostly shade and I think it's benefiting from the additional sun.

It looks like we might actually have a few days in a row of spring-like weather this week. I hope to get some mulching done.....my least favorite gardening task! It takes me forever because I always find something else I'd rather be doing.

Have a great week!