spring has finally sprung!

if you have visited the garden recently, then you have seen the gradual shift from a garden neglected for the winter to a garden that is awakening to spring.  we have been going out as often as we can and working on any number of tasks.  slowly, we are conquering the weeds and cleaning the beds.

the tin man has room to dance in his bottle bed.  weeds were removed and the southern wood shrub that threatened to eat him has been tamed.

the grasses in the rain garden berm have all been cut to the ground.

well, we haven't gotten this far, but we will-soon...

irises are in full bloom

friends are visiting

you missed quite a show in the gazebo...

it was the show of shows and everyone was dressed to the nines.

even the lungwort, pulmonaria, gave it a go in the shade garden.

a new arrival in the shade garden.  the mahonia was a gift from the family of steve draper, one of our founding members who passed away.  even better is that it came from steve's home garden so it is as if he is still with us in the garden.

last year's poppies have returned.

over in the herb garden, there is lots to see.  i love this combination of marjoram and orange thyme

mitsuba parsley is spreading nicely too

and when michael shows up with power tools, watch out!  he took hedge clippers to the grass garden and in no time, they were trimmed and ready for the season.

now doesn't that look better?  thank you michael!

and if the grasses weren't enough for michael, he took loppers to the butterfly bushes.

they are also ready for spring and even better, we can now walk between the two monster bushes!

the little bushes are looking good too!  thanks again michael!

and while i know you hear me speak of cake, i am very rarely out in the garden without one.  this is a pear-cranberry crumb cake with almonds.  come join us, the cake is calling you...