I love that first walk around the yard every morning. Sometimes I have a cup of tea or coffee with me and sometimes I take the camera. I loved the way the sunlight was coming through the trees this morning. I deadheaded these roses yesterday and saw plenty of new buds for upcoming blossoms.

Salvias add so much interest to a little space, and I’m always looking for a good blue or purple to add to the mix.

I’m trying strawberries this year again. So far, they’re not producing very well. They’re small, misshapen, and rot before they ripen. Are they the kind of fruit that doesn’t perform well until the third year? I”ll be patient with them and see if they do better next year or the year after, if they make it that long.

More and more, I’m loving these hardy begonias. They’re a tender perennial that snugs up against hard surfaces or other established plants. The pink blossoms are fine, but I love the colors and shape of the veined foliage. It seems to have a mind of its own, and I never know where I’m going to find a new little one popping up. I rarely disagree with their choice of location.

Last week, I included a picture of the oakleaf hydrangea shrub. This is a closer shot of a panicle. The way the blossoms are opening up, bottom to top, is extending the bloom time nicely. We should be enjoying this shrub for several weeks.

This is a daisy gardinia. I have three of these dwarf shrubs. The scent is not as strong as the larger, more common version of gardinia, but is similar to it. I’ve mentioned before that I try to have as many white flowers in the garden as I can. They seem to anchor into all the green space, and provide some consistency among the other colors. As these blooms age, they become sort of yellowish.

Spring is so much fun in the garden, as plants are taking their turn for “who’s on deck next?” Things get a little boring in mid to late summer, when all I’ve got are the same old annuals, just waiting to finish their life cycle. So, I’ll enjoy these spring morning walks that still offer new surprises.

Shalom, Dottie