Bearded ladies and early arrivals

I have some beautiful bearded ladies blooming in my garden, in multiple places.  This is one of the first blooms to open and shares company with the columbine and the fragrant white iris in the back garden.

The one below, just beginning to open,  is in the front border surrounded by many others.

I planned this bed so that the Spring blooms would be primarily pinks and whites 

with some nice foliage mixed in.

Husker Red Beard Tongue

Azalea

Pittosporum

Igloo Doublefile Viburnum

White Indian Hawthorn

But our warm winter and early spring encouraged the summer residents to make an early appearance.  The summer blooms are all hot colors  - like this.

Arizona Sun Gaillardia

The coreopsis is beginning to bloom, too, but it isn't as much of a misfit.  

In fact, it brings out the yellow in the irises. 

I'm enjoying these early arrivals, even if they aren't color-coordinated. 

I don't think I'll ever complain about blooms - and I don't think the bees and butterflies will, either! 

For the origin of the irises see this post from last April.

GBBD - A world where it was always June

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."

- L. M. Montgomery

If we lived in a world where it was always June it would be like living where 

every day was Christmas  - so much excitement that we'd soon be worn out from it.  

Like too much candy, it would lose its sweetness.  

But we don't live where it's always June and in fact, June is speeding by much too fast! 

 Keeping up with what's blooming is hard work, especially when the blooms come and 

go each day as the daylilies do.

 I wrote about the hydrangeas in bloom in my last post, but when I downloaded photos tonight 

I found this image that I couldn't resist sharing.

The bee balm has been blooming for a week or so and was so beautiful when the blooms were fresh.

 They're a little worn looking now, but the bees don't care.

One of my favorites, and one that will bloom all summer, is the coreopsis.

The Sunny Border Blue Speedwell and the Becky Towe Phlox just began to bloom this week. 

They, too, should bloom through the summer.

Two elegant calla lily blooms remind me of my daughter's wedding, when she carried them in her bouquet.

 And the bright red and orange blooms of the lantana will soon be beckoning the butterflies - I hope!

There are more photos of more blooms, but maybe that would be like too much candy.  

I'll save some for later.  But I want to close with this photo of a volunteer sunflower.  

Doesn't it look like it's getting ready to take off and fly away into the sun?

Head on over to May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming in other gardens on 

this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! 

Coming at you at breakneck speed!

The growth in the garden over the last week seems to have been at the rate of "mile-a-minute" kudzu.  The buds of the azaleas swelled and began to burst open almost overnight.

The daffodils have been blooming for several weeks, but new blooms are still opening.

A rosebud begins to form in the morning light.

The coreopsis bloom unfurls.

Reliable dianthus, my grandson's favorite, will soon provide blooms for numerous little nosegays.

Hosta leaves appear - their shoots rolled tight at first but opening in different shades of green and white.

The shamrock was up in time for St. Patrick's day, but the blooms will come later.

The Chestnut Oak sports its long yellow-green tassels, already dispensing yellow dust over everything.

The changes in the garden that Spring brings will continue at this breakneck speed for a while yet.  I just wish I could check off my garden chores list in half as speedy a fashion!

Shining with optimism

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.   Kate Smith

Sending sunny, happy thoughts your way.

Say it with flowers

In planning a flower arrangement for my father's memorial service this week I have been thinking of the traditional meaning of some flowers.  Here are a few from my garden (pictures from previous seasons) and their meanings.
Amaryllis:  Pastoral Poetry, Pride

 Azalea:  Fragile and ephemeral passion

Begonia:  "Beware, I am fanciful!"

Chrysanthemum:  You are a wonderful friend

Coreopsis:  You are always cheerful

Look for more meaningful flower posts in the future!