As I was walking around I was reminded what it is about Spring that I love so much. It's not just about the flowers and the birds, it's about the color of all the new growth that's just coming up from the ground or the new leaves on the shrubs.
This time of year there is so much color just from the foliage. Aside from Anemone blanda, Muscari and Crocuses there aren't that many things blooming in the front border.
The new growth of the Peony 'Festiva Maxima' and Penstemon 'Mystica' have a beautiful maroon color. 'Mystica' is a Penstemon which is the improvement over 'Husker Red'. 'Husker Red' never did too well here, it would bloom one year then slowly die. 'Mystica' looks about the same but performs much better here.
I love the orangey-yellow of the new Coreopsis coming up at the front, Bloody Dock (Rumex sanguineus) is the green and red leafed plant to the right of it. The iris and foxglove are really starting to grow quickly. Of course Spirea 'Magic Carpet' just glows right now.
More of the Spirea 'Magic Carpet' with iris and Penstemon 'Sweet Joanne' nearby.
Lots of different greens here. The shiny looking shrub on the far right is Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata) and Abelia is to the left. Both will begin blooming soon.
Another Peony 'Sorbet' is coming up here, although not as maroon as the other one. I love the colors of the new leaves on the rose bushes.
Looking over a Spirea (whose name I don't know) I love looking at all the different shades and textures of green.Before long this bed will be full of flowers and I'll be enjoying them, probably forgetting at that time how beautiful it looked before they were blooming. But for now, I want to remember what it is about Spring that I enjoy so much.
Hey Catherine, these pics make me just want to fly up and wander thru your gardens. Everything looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteWe are selling "Mystica" penstemon this year. It really does look a lot like Husker Red.
I will have to snoop around for 'Mystica' as 'Husker Red' slowly peters out for me, too. Your peony foliage is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska, where winter has spring in a choke hold
Catherine everything looks fresh and beautiful ! So we have yet another plant in common "Bloody Dock" ! Not a lot of people seem to have it ..I use it as a bogus ? plant so if anything is going to be "eaten" that will be the substitute : )
ReplyDeleteWe are in cold rain here, hoping to see the sun in a few days !
You are so much further ahead spring-wise then here. I pushed aside some leaf mulch to discover the multiplier onions and thyme starting to show life, along with my rhubarb poking its nose through the soil. Snow could still come so I replaced the mulch until warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteInteresting blend of colours. Get me thinking to put more colours other than green in our little garden. ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteWe also have red peony foliage two places in our garden. Don't tell anyone but i think we got them at Walmart... Your garden is looking lovely as usual.
Yikes! This is all I can say because everything in your yard looks fabulous! I can't believe how far along your peonies are - mine have not even put up the little red points. I am really getting a visual education of the different zones.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a treat to see gardens a little further along than ours! I have still never figured out why the PNW is ahead of Atlanta, but it doesn't really matter...your photos are a wonderful glimpse of spring!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine ~ I can hardly believe how fast your gardens are growing in. It is a real treat to see, as our gardens are here year round. I look forward to seeing your new garden shed.
ReplyDeleteHappy Gardening ~ FlowerLady
Hi Catherine
ReplyDeleteLovely fresh green - that's what I love about Spring too :). Soon there'll be lots of colours.
Wow... that peony foliage is really shooting up! Larry
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks wonderful. I agree, the different shades of sprng greens and rosey pinks in new spring foliage is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors! I so love pink and green, so full of life! Your garden is looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the spring garden tour! I love the photos.
ReplyDeleteI see we have a lot of the same things in common! (Including that blue bird bath!) I love seeing your gardens at this stage because it means that mine will be there in a few weeks. I love spring, too!
ReplyDeleteHey you're just lightyears ahead of me and I'm only a couple hours away. I think you have your own heat zone there or your own little Sequim? Your Spireas look great - we thought we lost our Little Princess as she is really taking her time about waking up but finally a few little bits of green are arriving. It also looks like Edward Goucher is going to survive the move - he was pretty big to be finding a new home but had grown so much bigger than he was suppose to he covered almost the whole picture window. Trust me his backside wasn't that great of a picture!
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are looking so good I'm gonna make an emergency run up your way just to get a flower fix.
Catherine, It interests me that, even though we are in such different climates, we grow quite a few of the same plants. So seeing how lovely your garden is looking right now gives me hope for how mine will look in a couple of months. -Jean
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice sentiment!
ReplyDeleteYou garden looks wonderful Catherine. I love all the different shades of green - my favorite color!
ReplyDeleteI love how the different shades of green look with your blue house in the background. They contrast so well together. I cannot wait to see your flowering garden in the coming months and I am so happy you will be participating in MGB :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine
ReplyDeleteI always like the way it all looks against the blue of your home.
I'm off to google Penstemon 'Mystica'.
Rob
It's looking like a banner spring in your yard! Everything looks terrific and healthy. I too love all the new growth colors. The variations in greens and reds are so vibrant and fresh. I have to say one of my most favorite things about spring here is the smell. The air is positively perfumed with spring growth, from the trees to the tiniest flowers. It's absolutely the best. Getting excited just writing this. hehe
ReplyDeleteTulips Catherine! Next week--Skagit Tulips!!
You and the girls going?
It sure looks fresh in your garden. And I'm amazed how fast everything have grown these last weeks. I also prefer the color of the new growth. I think it's depends on that it's so different and fresh to all that brown (or as this winter the white) we've seen thrue all those dull winter months.
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine,
ReplyDeleteYour spring yard is surely coming up well....I too like the orange hues, it adds so much warmth n colour to spring. Have a Glorious Spring ahead....
Very special time of the year, running outside and poking around to find the smallest tip of green announcing the return of the plants...beautiful gardens Catherine.
ReplyDeleteThat Magic Carpet is just unbeatable for foliage color, Catherine. I love everything happening in your garden now, it does look like spring should look. Can't wait for it to happen here. Soon.
ReplyDeleteFrances
My favorite time of the year. Your's is looking great. Love to see the greens of spring.
ReplyDeleteHugs from a Sunndy Day here... Yipee,
Kate - The Garden Bell
Waiting and waiting for that look here Catherine. I'm glad you took some time to capture it for us (and you). It was worth it. It looks like "full blown" spring to me. Your peonies are up so much already ~ unbelievable. I haven't seen the first hair on mine. Nor many other things. I didn't know about 'Mystica' so I'll have to keep an eye out for it. I still have 'Husker Red' in my garden and it's one penstemon I don't want to be without. That one and 'Palmeri' are my favorites. Now I'm excited to see your new potting shed! You lucky girl. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome. That spirea and peony caught my eye right away. I like that you have a border between you and the street. Those 'borders' 'barrier' always make me feel better and even safer.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, it's the vibrant colors and all the new blooms. Nature's artwork for the soul. Your garden is just so charming and colorful.
ReplyDeleteWow...the Peony 'Festiva Maxima' is definitely surging into spring! The new foliage is such a beautiful color. Your garden is looking wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love the many shades of green. This is truly the best time of year for gardeners and people who just like being outdoors.
ReplyDeleteI know! I go outside each morning with such anticipation!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Spring, a welcoming friend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, its superb beautiful a colorful spot, i love this greenery. Thank You
ReplyDeleteCatherine, If I were just driving in your neighborhood, my brakes would lock at the sight of your gardens. [Good thing I don't drive a Toyota. :)] I too love the gradations of green.
ReplyDeleteI like how your beds house the tall, medium and groundcover plants. So much interest!
I can't tell if the hanging baskets by the lattice are yours or your neighbor's. I'm curious about them.
You are spot-on about Penstemon 'Mystic.' Mine stayed burgundy all winter and I finally cut it back because I'm afraid it might grow a little bit TOO rambunctious. I pulled out my Husker years ago for the same reason as you. I like the color echo with your Mystic and Paeonia foliage. And I see you've already got your supports up. Thanks for the reminder.
More nice weather. Amazing, isn't it?
Grace - Those baskets are the neighbors. (The lattice is also theirs which I don't mind as much, although it wouldn't have been how we would've done it.) They are pulp pots that are gradually rotting away, yet they insist on keeping them there. I've hinted at offering to put new ones up or at least some flowers to grow in them. They've never been open to my hints or suggestions. Whenever I put a picture up with them in it I want to say "the baskets aren't mine." :) Oh well, they are good neighbors otherwise :) And soon enough the Lilac and Butterfly will block most of them from our view.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest and I just came in from enjoying the sun.
Catherine, I agree with you about spring. I'm amazed at the little buds and starts as they shoot up or stretch slowly from their winter place. The new leaves are so vivid and bright, cheerful to be outside in the sun. You have a lovely garden! I really like your trees too!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Your garden is looking beautiful! Do I spot a new pet? Cookie? How adorable, do she and Gracie get along? We finally have a few blooms - crocus - yay!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring! Beth
Catherine your gardens are lovely and I feel that way about the new spring green too! Nothing like it! You seem to have gardens in almost every inch of your land... so many textures and shades of greens. I cannot get over how far ahead you are! Good luck with your new shed! Boy could I use one! Happy Spring! ;>)
ReplyDeleteBeth - We did get a new pet. He has been such a good addition, Gracie gets a little excited and I have to keep a very close eye on her when they are together. Usually though my oldest daughter takes Cookie out to the front grass and lets him hop around out there.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! Just beautiful! I can't imagine seeing peonies poking through this time of year - we just started to get crocuses! We won't see peony shoots for at least another month or so. It's so much fun to see what's happening in another zone! Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Your garden looks so neat and clean. And some of those plants look like they have been there for ages!
ReplyDeleteI don't have leaves on anything but bulbs yet, but soon...
Hi Catherine, thank you for visiting my blog this week and introducing me to yours. Your garden looks wonderful, jam packed with lots of my favoutine plants - I look forward to seeing it all in bloom! Great photography too!
ReplyDelete