Friday, May 2, 2014

Springtime Favorites

SPRING.....truly the best time of the year! I'm loving it even more than ever after the winter we've endured although I'm starting to wonder if we are going to have a summer this year. The cold just persists!

Every chance I get I love walking through the garden to see what new things have come up. It changes almost daily. Now if it would just warm up a little and a good dose of sunshine would really help, this girl would be really happy!

Here are some of the things I look forward to the most every spring.

H. First Frost

I always anticipate those first hosta pips emerging from the ground. I love the bright spring colors of the hostas, before the yellows fade to cream or turn green.

H. Winsome
 
Ferns
I love watching ferns awaken in the spring. They remind me of little seahorses! I've never tried it but they say fiddleheads are delicious sautéed in a little olive oil. I think I would rather enjoy my ferns in the garden.
 
Virginia Bluebells
The Virginia Bluebells are just starting to bloom. Probably my favorite springtime bloom.
These bloom for a few weeks then they go dormant so you might want to mark the spot so you don't mistakenly dig them up when planting annuals.

Trillium
 
The first tulips opening.
 
Bluebirds nesting are high on my list.
 
Baltimore Orioles
 
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
 
I always make a note on my calendar when the Orioles return each year. This year the Orioles, Hummingbirds, and Grosbeaks all came back on the same day. So far the Grosbeaks have not nested here but move on after a few days, but I always hope someday they will decide to stick around for the summer.
 
I have several pairs of Orioles that nest here but this male has done nothing the last few days but sit on my window sills pecking on the glass. The females arrive a few days after the males so hopefully they get here soon. He probably thinks his reflection is competition.
 
Love Hummingbirds!
 
 
Fairy Gardens.
 It been too wet to work in the garden so I've been working on my fairy gardens. I try to do a few every year slowly adding to my collection. I especially love fairy gardens in my hypertufa planters. I will do a post on these when I get them done.
 

7 comments:

  1. It is so wonderful to see things growing and budding in the gardens. I have Bluebirds nesting her again this spring but I have not gotten a picture yet. I always worry the feral cats will get them. Your Fairy gardens are just so cute. They are so fun to create. Have a lovely weekend.

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  2. I spied a rosy breasted grosbeak just this morning. They are just passing through here. And despite the Baltimore Oriole being our state bird and baseball team, I never see them here. hummingbirds have been back. They appeared one day after I hung the feeders. New blooms showing every day. Loving the green in the trees and garden.

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  3. I have never seen an oriole here or anywhere. I so wish I could see them and think you are most lucky to have them. We do have the grosbeaks. Several pairs. They are quite wonderful. You can almost set your clock to their arrival. I am loving all your birds especially the friendly bluebird at the birdhouse.

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  4. All so very pretty. I haven't heard of Virginia Bluebells, I will have to check into them, but I imagine it is to cold here for them. Supposedly, we are going to have sun tomorrow, hoping so... I would love to get outside and see what's grown since last weekend.

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  5. Ahhh--isn't spring just terrific? Love your Fairy Garden... AND of course, your hosts, tulips, etc.... Our tulips have mostly all finished for the season and we are now beginning to enjoy the Irises.

    We have the nesting Bluebirds and the Grosbeaks --but not the Orioles... Wish we did have Orioles here. I even put out oranges and jelly one year hoping to attract them...

    We have quite a few Grosbeaks --both males and females-- this spring... I wish they'd stay --but they never do...

    Happy Spring to you.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. I start that Hosta checking also. Lost some potted one and still watching for 2 in the ground not up yet. Still counting losses here of everything. Your fairy garden is great.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  7. What beautiful photos! You have some gorgeous birds over there, ours, especially the ones we get in our garden tend to be fairly drab colours.

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