Here is a glimpse of what the end of March looks like here:
We’ve encouraged the Clematis armandii to grow under the roof of the front deck. These parts are in full, fragrant bloom. The parts that have remained outside, where it is colder and wetter, are still in bud, thus extending the season for this star of the early spring garden.
It can’t hold a candle to the two plants covering this pergola in full sun in Carlton OR.
As it emerges, the Lysimachia punctata ‘Alexander’ forms these little rosettes (its most charming phase, in my opinion)
On Bloom Day, the Forsythia was still mostly in bud. Now look at it!
Pussy willows have gone from furry to fluffy…achoo!
The first Rhody to bloom is always PJM.
This year ‘Janet’ is giving it some competition.
Here’s a closer look at ‘Janet’. Now there’s a pink I can get excited about.
Volunteer Ribes pop up all over the place.
I don’t know what it is about white primroses: they seem to remain relatively pristine,
While the blue ones are quickly tattered, I presume by slugs and snails.
Some of the plants recently acquired need to be viewed close-up to be appreciated. The Corokia cotoneaster is featured in the oval pot, with Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Pam Harper’ at its feet. The round pot, upper left, has two blue star creepers (Laurentia fluviatilis) and one Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’ setting the stage for Nandina domestica filamentosa…almost invisible here, but I have high hopes for it.
This pretty little silvery lily turf turned up at Home Depot…really the only thing that spoke to me there.
But now back to Carlton, where our hosts, Susan & Gilbert, set this lovely table under that clematis-clad pergola and served up a memorable Easter brunch. Can you believe that sunshine? What better way to bid goodbye to March and wish you all a Happy Easter.
Happy Easter to you too, Ricki! Isn’t this weather just gorgeous? I’ve had three wonderful days of gardening, and more to come! I’m tired, but so happy.
I always fill with anticipation when I see the buds swelling on Forsythia. And then it blooms, with such fragrance and poof! It’s done. March has been kind to us this year. It’s been a very pleasant gardening month. Cheers, Jenni
Happy Easter Ricki! Great to see all that new spring growth in your garden. And that pergola looks so inviting!
That clematis is gorgeous. What a great way to spend such a beautiful day!
Hppy Easter Ricki! What a beautiful setting! I agree about the Lysimachia punctata rosette stage being the most charming!
Alison~Tired and happy is the perfect state for a gardener.
Jenni~I hope you come back to see this, as I had no luck leaving a comment on your blog. Here it is: “Kids, dogs and gardening…all great ways to make connections. Thank you for stopping by my blog and connecting with me. I went to high school in West Linn, but have not been back in years.”
Mark and Gaz~Yes, the pergola is fabulous. Wish I could get R to put on his carpenter hat.
Heather~Hear Hear! Great friends, great food, great day.
Peter~Thanks!
Most intrigued by the Janet rhodie!! That isn’t Janet Blair is it??? I think I need it for my family garden. Very pretty.
I love the Ophiopogon japonica ‘Pam Harper’ and I know Pam. What a treat for her to have a plant named after her.
Janet~You should definitely have a namesake Rhody…and it’s such a beauty.
Wow, wow and double wow! Everything is so far on in your garden! We’re still experiencing arctic conditions over here. I love your clematis and the Lysimachia looks exactly like the little plant I was trying to identify a while back, except mine was all green but definitely the same in terms of the rosettes. Fabulous! I love the snoop around 🙂
Anna B~I always think of our climates as being similar, but everything is a bit out of whack lately, isn’t it?
It was fun to see what you have in bloom. My garden is running on pretty much the same time frame; My PJM is in bloom right now.
Charlie~Love it when you stop by. We have a Portland address, but seem to be more like you zone-wise.
If only that sunshine could have lasted a little longer. Beautiful photos.
Grace~It WILL be back, won’t it?
really nice, Thank you very much for sharing