Bloom Day Marches On

on
Old-fashioned Bridal Wreath Spirea reminds me of my MawMaw.
It's that time of year ... I'm so busy working in the gardens that I have no time to blog about them!  Since it's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, though, and its Indiana instigator is such a good pal, I took a break from my labors and wandered around the garden taking pictures.  


Just one of many Toadflax (Linaria maroccana)

They're my signature spring annual
This bed filled out nicely (the stump on the right was a gift from my contractor Brent, who found it at another client's and knew right off it was something I'd like.)
A closer look at that bed: Verbenas, Laura Bush Petunias, Phlox, Violas, Linaria, Leucojum, Corsican Violets, Spiderwort, Heartleaf Skullcap, Blackfoot Daisy, Larkspur, Louisiana Iris and Alyssum are amongst the residents.

'La Marne'
'La Marne' redux: interesting variation in bloom color
Bluebonnet and Poppy

A white Winecup (Callirhoe involucatra)
The Sinojackia blooms are irresistible to the pollinator community!
Last month there was 1 bloom on this Homestead Purple Verbena ... I like it better this month!
I think this Redbud needs the darker 'Oklahoma' variety as a companion.

The Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina) was added to the front garden last fall.  Spring-blooming trees make my heart sing.


More than just flowers bloom in our gardens, friendship and camaraderie can be found as well.  I had the privilege of sharing the gardens on my corner of Katy with my fellow Houston garden blogger David of Tropical Texana.  Since he works at a nearby elementary school, he stopped by for a visit one day last week.  The time flew by as we shared our gardening stories and I look forward to future visits with him.  In another 10 days or so, I'll host a garden blogger from much farther away: Pat of Commonweeder will be in town to visit her daughter and has promised me they'll visit.  And at the end of the month, it's my turn to host the monthly meeting of WOW: Women of W(h)ine will gather here to sip and sup.  Cheers!

Comments

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said…
Your garden is so lovely now! The soft colors are so perfect for early spring. The poppy/bluebonnet duo is delightful.
March 16, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Anonymous said…
It certainly looks like spring has sprung for you, if we were counting verbena blossoms, which we are! Have fun with Pat and the others. I would love to amble past while you were working outside and chat, maybe get a tour and a cold beverage. :-)
Frances
March 16, 2011 at 2:42 PM
growingagardenindavis said…
Lovely! I so love seeing photos of larger views of flowerbeds...I feel like I get to know the garden/gardener so much better that way.
March 16, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Layanee said…
Didn't you just endure a frost? How can things look so floriferous and beautiful!? Love them all but bluebonnet and poppy is a genius combination.
March 16, 2011 at 3:56 PM
JDElia said…
Love your garden. It is beautiful.
March 16, 2011 at 5:42 PM
HolleyGarden said…
Very nice! What pretty blooms you have. Glad you took time out from working to show us round your garden.
March 16, 2011 at 5:58 PM
David said…
Hi Fellow Garden Pal!

Yes, I had so much fun as well and I was shocked that we had visited an hour and a half when I drove away!!!! It seemed like minutes, didn't it?
What a fabulous set of photos and it's twice the fun knowing that during this next month your Texas cottage garden will get even better as all those myriads of other flowers join the symphony!
I may have to drive by with my teacher friends for a 'roadside' tour. Thanks for living on a corner. :-)
NOTE to the rest of the garden community: Cindy has dozens and dozens more flowers growing beside these! It's a dream world with flowers at every turn and every season.
David/ Tropical Texana/ Houston
March 16, 2011 at 7:08 PM
Carol Michel said…
An excellent display of blooms. I can tell you've been hard at work in your garden...
March 16, 2011 at 9:29 PM
Gail said…
Cindy, The garden looks alive with bloom~and after the winter you have had! I love a plant that brings on the pollinators~Sinojackia is a new one to me but, it's a pretty bloom! happy Bloom day ....gail
March 17, 2011 at 6:29 AM
Rose said…
I echo MMD's comments, Cindy--your garden is just beautiful! Love the toadflax and the budding trees. I don't have any of the old-fashioned spirea, but it always reminds me of my grandmother, too, and my childhood. I love plants that bring back that nostalgia.

How fun to meet up with some fellow bloggers--I'm sure Pat will enjoy the warmth of Katy after a long MA winter and your hospitality.
March 17, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Rose said…
Oops, that didn't sound right...what I meant to say was "I'm sure Pat will enjoy the warmer weather in Katy." And I know she'll enjoy your hospitality! Sometimes I should think before I type:)
March 17, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Anonymous said…
helllooo over there! spring has certainly sprung in your garden cindy! wherever did you find the halesia and sinojackia? so cool! i love your "plant now" sign, will have to look for something similar when i head to warrenton next week.
March 18, 2011 at 9:29 PM
LindaCTG said…
I love all your plants, your design, and the fact that everything is so darned tidy! Gorgeous bloom day.
March 22, 2011 at 6:09 PM
KatyLandscapers said…
Awesome pics. Color combinations and contrasts of your blooms are lovely. Keep up the great gardening.
March 29, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Rich Rennicks said…
I love your garden -- especially the paths. Not the conventional thing to focus on, maybe, but I've spent a lot of time trying to control crab grass infiltration into out garden paths over the last few years that I look at paths in a new light. Do you have a layer of cardboard/weed fabric to control weeds, or is it just old-fashioned pro-active weeding that keep them looking great and not overgrown?

I'm also ready to take up an old, broken section of concrete path, and need to decide what to replace it with: gravel, pavers, mulch, grass... Ah, garden projects. Where would we be without them?
March 31, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Cindy, MCOK said…
Thanks, y'all for your comments! I'm way behind on reading & replying ... it's my busy season, you know :-)
March 31, 2011 at 6:05 PM
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