Monday, March 19, 2012

"The year's at the spring"

Spring has been unfurling in dramatic fashion over the last week so that tomorrow, on the official first day of the season, my garden is going to be ready!  I spent Saturday cleaning up and pulling weeds, trying to get it ready for the fast pace of unfurling ahead.
The fiddleheads of the ferns are one of the most welcoming sights, unfurling one after another.  This act of unfurling  practically shouts "Spring" (type "spring unfurls" in a google search, and you'll find link after link to photos and blogposts.) 

While the ferns unfurl in the corners of the shade garden, the Sassafras buds open and reach for the sky.
Native to the Eastern U.S., Sassafras is a favorite of birds, flowers in spring and provides beautiful fall color. It loves the conditions in my garden and grows and multiples rapidly - we are often pulling up seedlings that spring up where they aren't wanted.
 The azalea buds swelled and began to open in just a matter of days this past week, as did the blooms on one of our dogwoods.
 And  the Chestnut Oak is waving its tassels, ready to fling them onto my deck.
When I look up at the budding trees, it's like a pastel version of fall - so much soft color.  But this color is the beginning of a season, not the end, and promises so much beauty to come.

"The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!"
-  Robert Browning

9 comments:

Karin / Southern Meadows said...

Things are moving full speed ahead this spring. It seems that everyday there is something new opening or popping out of the ground. I love seeing the fronds unfold. Love your sassafras tree!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Thank you for posting all of these lovely spring happenings from your place. It is wonderful to see and I'm sure it must be pure delight to enjoy in person.

Happy spring gardening ~ FlowerLady

scottweberpdx said...

Beautiful post...love the Chestnut! There really is something spectacular about Spring Green, isn't there...it's just so bright and hopeful!

HolleyGarden said...

I just love to see the ferns unfurling. Your azaleas and dogwoods are magnificent. Yes, spring is here, and all's right with the world.

Daricia said...

aren't we lucky to live in north carolina! spring is so gorgeous here...your dogwoods and azaleas are looking great!

Donna said...

all is right isn't it with this glorious hot spring...hottest March on record for us...need to clean my garden...no time before the heatwave came

RURAL said...

While one part of me misses my plants down on the coast so intensely, the other part is happy to see flowers, and buds. In real life, or on a blog, they are all beautiful.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Wally said...

Great post, lovely photos.
Have a wonderful spring!

sweetbay said...

Your pictures just shout spring! I envy you your sassafrass. They remind me of Cornus mas in spring and they have such fabulous color in fall.