Light and shadows - Hydrangea

PhotoHunt - Yellow gerber daisies

These yellow gerber daisies along a walk have done well this year and add a bright touch of color for people as they come down the hill toward our house.

Sepia Scenes - Hibiscus bloom

My World - Day lilies

Our day lilies have been blooming enmass for about three weeks. This hot weather seems to agree with them.

My world - Clematis

With the temperature hitting the 90's, our clematis started blooming, The inch or so long buds open to a flower 4 to 5 inches across.

My World - Blooming!

Rhododendron

Peach Iris

Coming soon

My World - Summer flowers

Clematis

Daisies

Hosta and Impatiens

Orange lilies

Knockout rose in rain

Hibiscus

PhotoHunt - Half done . . .

planting the new Hibiscus. Years ago Marianne spotted some of these at a Wal-Mart and when I went back to get them the only ones left were a white flower with red center. We planted eight along the fence and eventually four died. This year Marianne spotted them again at a local nursery and did not let them out of her sight. Wednesday I planted the two shown above. The shot below was taken Wednesday night after the rain that interrupted my digging. (The other two were planted Thursday.)

My World - Flowers at home

Pincushion bloom and buds

Our flowers have really been blooming. Azaleas, daffodils and lilacs have come and gone. Rhododendrons are in full bloom, even with the loss of some branches to the snow. And the iris are blooming one color after another.

Rhododendron

Iris

But we could not stop with those, so we made several trips to Stadler's, Dutch Farm, Home Depot, Wal-mart, etc. and bought hosta, hibiscus, impatiens (2 kinds, 4 colors), coreopsis, gerbera daisies and geraniums. Marianne wanted lots of color and has long wanted hosta around one of the trees, so we have been digging and planting the past few days. We still have a few more of the bushes to put in the ground, but we definitely have more color in the yard.

Gerbera daisy

New Guinea impatiens under the window

New Guinea impatiens closeup

My World - Riverbanks art

Among the flowers at the Walled garden at the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens are several works of art. In the above view are a statue of otters and several glass flowers (at the left of the otters). In front of the Visitor Center are some blue glass buds (last image).

My World - Flowers and wind

Spring has arrived in spurts in our yard - some 90 degree days and some 40 degree days, with a few "spring" days thrown in. We cut the lilacs back last year so there are no a lot of blooms, but the ones we have are gorgeous. The cherry trees bloomed while we were in SC and the wind this weekend blew many of them off the trees.

Cherry blossoms in grass and driveway

Our yellow daffodils near the house bloom very early. These under the lilacs come along a month later.

My World Tuesday - Walled Garden

View from Visitor Center

While in South Carolina I stopped for a brief visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. The zoo and gardens are along the banks of the Saluda River just outside the city of Columbia. I was interested in seeing the Walled Garden, one of five themed gardens. The Walled Garden features a variety of plants, trees and shrubs arranged with walkways separating the beds. Ten of the beds are replanted twice a year - in the spring and fall. There is a central stair step canal with fountains at each end. At this time of year, the garden is bursting with color. Plants are identified with small tags placed near each type. The garden includes some art and benches are scattered throughout. The Visitor Center anchors one end of the Walled Garden and offers additional information on the gardens. There are also additional plantings outside the Visitor Center. More images will be posted on all three of my blogs this week and next.

Along the north wall

Stair step planter

Lower fountain and canal

Walk toward the Visitor Center

Bench by the south wall

Hybrid daylily in front of Visitor Center

Garden geometry

While in South Carolina I stopped for a brief visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. The zoo and gardens are along the banks of the Saluda River just outside the city of Columbia. The place is just full of geometrical shapes. The Walled Garden features a variety of plants, trees and shrubs arranged with walkways separating the beds. See My World Tuesday for more images of this colorful garden.

To see more geometry, go to Katney's Kaboodle.

Parallel lines and angles

Right angles

My World - Spring arrives

This shot was taken about 4 hours after the vernal equinox (1732 UTC March 20). The shadows are pointing directly east. The crocus were photographed last Tuesday and the daffodils on Saturday. The lilac buds and sedum were taken on Monday. We had a few warm days in the 70's, but now it is cool and cloudy.