Yes, We Still Have Daffodils

We have other things too. I am guessing this is one of three very happy PJM rhododendrons. They have a smaller leaf and bloom earlier than most of the other rhododendron varieties, of which we have plenty. Those will be blooming in a few weeks.



But before the main rhododendron show, many of the deciduous azaleas of which we have plenty in a rainbow of colors, start blooming. This pink one is usually the first to bloom. This earlier bloom time does have its perils. It is not uncommon for the blooms to be zapped by snow or freezing weather. This spring is almost freakish in its lack of a final winter blast. Knock on wood. Knock, knock.



The Bulbapaloozathon is indeed over. But as you stroll the ridge top garden there are still a number of fresh looking late blooming daffodils.



The last daffodils linger



While the next bulb explosion gets ready. The millions of Hyacinthoides hispanica are showing the very first blossoms. Soon waves of blue, pink and white bells will weave through the forest floor.



The rock signals entry to a different garden. The violets have finally showed up in the wild forest. They came late this year and are a bit sparser. Mingled with all the other spring ephemerals, the violets are not as uplifting, when alone they really signal the first breath of spring.



I traveled down to witness the opening of the red Trillium erectum.



And to document the half bred Anemone quinquefolia. If you enlarge the picture by clicking on it and look close, you can just make out the lavender stripe on the lower petal. All the petals are striped like that. My camera's macro focus just isn't that great. The leaves are a mottled green and maroon, half and half of the other two. Are there any Anemone quinquefolia experts out there?



I was doing some regular political blog reading the other day when my jaw dropped. I totally recognize this View From Your Window.

No not my view. My view has never made the cut. Many of you have read me whining about this before.



It was the wonderful Pam's view from Tales from the Microbial Laboratory who muses about life from a 1973 Airstream Land Yacht.



If the garden outside your window is full of magic and mystery, any house, no matter how small or how spacious, how grand or how plain or new or old, can feel like the place you are meant to be.