Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Early Spring in our Yard


When we got back from Arkansas, we showed you some photos of the beginnings of spring in our yard. At that time, we had a few Daffodils and several Crocuses in bloom. Today, I will share with you a few more of our early Spring blooms. Above is one of my favorite Daffodils (Jonquils) --and its name is Fortissimo. Below are more 'beauties' in our yard.







These little Daffodils (the tiny variety with several names other than Daffodils) were given to us by Dad Adams when we first moved here in 2003.







This is the same group of little Daffodils--from another direction. Note also the little yellow Pansy left from last Fall.







This is a close-up of those sweet little Daffodils. They are just so pretty --especially in large groups of blooms.







Here's a little row of beautiful Hyacinths blooming in our side flowerbed.









This is a close-up of one of our Hyacinths. I love this color.







Isn't this little Pansy pretty???? In the Fall (for the past 3 yrs.), we have planted Pansies. This was the first year (due to the colder temperatures) that we lost quite a few of our Pansies during winter. Before this year, they lasted from late Fall through early Summer. BUT---a few of the hardy ones (like the one pictured above) have come back and are blooming again. Hopefully, more of our Pansies will come back!









Both George and I love Sempervivum (Semps).. We have them in various places, all over the yard --and they are so pretty. I had no idea there were so many varieties and colors of these little "Chicks and Hens".







This is our favorite ground cover. I don't know its 'official' name, but to us it's Periwinkle. Periwinkle is healthy and spreads nicely. I love all of the little blue flowers in the spring.







Our yard is fairly shady and there are LOTS of trees. Mowing can be a problem---so having the Periwinkle around in many areas in the yard (such as the one pictured above) not only is pretty --but also helps with the mowing situation. I have planted Hosta (which is still sleeping) around the mulched areas under the trees.


Both George and I love working in our yard --and we enjoy showing off our flowers. Over the next several months, I hope you will enjoy seeing our yard--as much as we enjoy showing it to you.
Hugs,

P.S. George and I are taking off today to do some 'waterfalling' and hiking in the Smokies. We're even going to stay at a cabin near a waterfall. (Can you imagine how happy that makes me!!!??) However, the weather doesn't look very promising due to rains in the area --so we may come home as 'drenched rats'.. HA! We'll be away from the computers until Sunday. Don't forget us---as we'll be home soon, with LOTS of new photos I'm sure!!!

56 comments:

Kim said...

Such pretty flowers. The daffs are a sight for sore eyes and I love the Hyacinths.

Have fun on your mini trip and I hope the weather holds up for you!

Unknown said...

Just adore your spring blooms, what a great color hyacinth for sure, mine were a little lighter pink than your. (sniff) Have fun on your trip!!!!

Jayne said...

Beautiful yard Betsy. I love all the color. Hope you all have a great time in the Smokies, but it's rained cats and dogs here for two solid days. I think you all may be in for a soaking. Be safe. :c)

SmilingSally said...

Your flowers are so pretty that I don't know how you can leave them. But have fun and don't forget to visit.

EG CameraGirl said...

Have a fun holiday and do take tons of photos!

I look forward to seeing your gardening photos as I'm a gardener too. ;-)

Shelley said...

You and George have the green thumb for sure! So many beautiful flowers! Hyacinths are my favorite - I love how fragrant they are! Have a wonderful trip - I will say a little prayer that it doesn't rain! be sure to take photos of that cabin!! :-)
Shelley

Cedar ... said...

What a HAPPY yard!

Leedra said...

I ejoyed the stroll through your yard. Did you notice the center of your white daffodils is different than the center of my white daffodils. We need to get together and swap out some with each other.

I also like perwinkle (vinca), just have a little spot now, not much shade here.

Leedra’s Photos For Fun
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Photography By Leedra

Busy Bee Suz said...

Gorgeous pictures. I can see why you like working in your yard so much...it is pretty!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: It looks so much like Spring and I'm jealous. I would hope the rain holds off and you have a grand day.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Beautiful flowers.I like to see how others landscape their yards.Stay fry and have fun on your trip.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

When I was a little girl, my mother gave me my own little garden. My flower of choice? Pansies. In northern Ohio, they are annuals, but once in a while they do come back.

NCmountainwoman said...

Have a wonderful trip. I think you will definitely have rain but have fun anyway.

Diane said...

Your flowers are beautiful. I love the little pansy. Hope you have a wonderful time and don't get too wet.

Small City Scenes said...

Can you stuff me in your duffle bag and take me waterfallng with you>? LOL MB

Anonymous said...

Nice to be greeted by so many dear little faces!

Beth said...

What pretty flowers, Betsy! I, too, am very fond of periwinkle and I really like your hens and chicks. I have a similar variety that has lasted through the winter! (It's on a very sunny hill.)

Hope y'all have a wonderful trip. I fear it will be a wet one, but at least those waterfalls will be flowing plentifully!

Unknown said...

Oh I hope you have the most wonderful time in the Smokies and maybe you're ahead of all the bad weather they keep talking about.
Nothing makes you smile like spring flowers poking their little heads up.
Happy Twirls,
Libby

Sunny said...

Hi Betsy! I hope you have an awesome trip and thankyouuuu for showing us your Spring, and sharing your beauteeeeful spring flowers!! :)

Michele said...

Such amazing pictures... so Springlike indeed!
Yesterday it snowed here and bitterly cold...

I will not forget you two... I hope that there will be some blue skies and some warm sunshine your way...

I'm looking forward to your return...
Many hugs to you both!!♥♥

Cicero Sings said...

Never fear Betsy ... we won't forget you. Your flowers are looking lovely.

Diane AZ said...

Such sweet little white daffodils, and how wonderful your pretty pansy came back. I think "Chicks and Hens" could grow in the desert where I live, I think the red and green colors are so pretty. Have a good time in the Smokies!

Jen said...

Love all your flowers!!
Have a good trip-I'm sure you and George won't mind getting wet-just think of it as your traveling waterfall.

Judy said...

All your flowers are beautiful but I love the hyacinths and pansies. They are so pretty.

Janie said...

Your yard must be beautiful with all the flowers in bloom.
No sign of flowers here yet, but the weather is getting warmer.
Have fun on your trip!

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful trip. I miss the Smokies.
Love the pics of all your pretty flowers.

Becky said...

Hope you are having a GREAT time. Hey,
more water = better waterfalls.

Love the flowers.
My Hyacinths are purple and they are blooming also.

Waiting on new pics from your trip..............

HWHL said...

Gorgeous - I love the way the hyacinth smells!

You have a lovely garden!

Susie said...

You guys be safe, be dry and have a marvelous time!

Mary said...

You have such beautiful gardens. I'm envious, but I know it is hard work for both you and George to keep it so lovely.

Unknown said...

I could use a shady yard these days. It's heating up in south Florida. Spring has sprung!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

I love the hyacinths. :0) I'm getting excited just seeing that spring has sprung in our neck of the woods even though I haven't seen it yet!...You have become my personal weather forcaster..hahahaha...When I get settled at the cabin we will have to meet one day, ya know...I feel like we're neighbors..LOL

Stephanie
Queen of Dreamsz

Forty Two East said...

wow I love your yard, such beautiful flowers!! Thanks for sharing.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

What a happy place to live . You are surrounded by so much beauty. Have a wonderful trip...m.

Connie said...

Such beautiful flowers, Betsy. I love the daffodils--one of my favorites. I hope you and George have a wonderful weekend. :D

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

You have some gorgeous flowers there, Betsy! Love those bright pink hyacinths and the purple panzy. When are you and George coming over to plant at our house? :-)

The Birdlady said...

Your yard is lovely..I love the pink hyacinth.

Becca's Dirt said...

Such a beautiful yard. Love your photos. Daffodils are my favorite.

Femin Susan said...

wow great!!! you have such a beautiful and worthy garden...i enjoyed white daffodils the most...i liked the pink one too..
i also liked sempervivum...your garden is a great and lovely place ..
great of you to own a garden like this...
i have a surprise for you at my blog.visit and spot the surprise out
hee!!hee :D

Rose said...

I am just now getting to really visit your blog for the first time in a couple days...love all the flowers you have. I really, really love pansies. Love daffodils, too...I like their shape.

Hope you are having a good time!

Tina said...

Betsy,
Great photos of some really fun flowers to see in the Spring..gorgeous colors and I love those periwinkles..my favs!
Do hope you have a fun time in your little cabin and find some good pics even tho you might have found some rainy hours!

Unknown said...

Is it me, or are my eyes playing tricks on me: but did those flowers grow since the last time I checked in to this post???

Bj said...

Hi Betsy! Love spring so much and your flowers are wonderful. Tell me about the "Chicks & Hens". Do they take a long time to cover an area? Do they die off in the winter?
Hugs,
Bj

Anonymous said...

You 2 have fun waterfalling! And your photos are gorgeous!!!

Swing by my page when you get back & see a new addition to the farm! She's quite adorable!!!

Betty said...

Hi Betsy,

You have beautiful flowers in your yard. You and George both have a green thumb.

I hope you enjoy your stay in the Smokies and that you don't get rained out.

Mandy said...

Beautiful flowers - hope you are having fun in the smokies!

Mandy

I Am Woody said...

Just thought I would let you know - with the recent rains, Rutledge Falls is REALLY flowing!! I was there today.

Carol Murdock said...

Beautiful flowers! You know how I feel about Cabins in the Smokies!
Hope you have good weather and great fun!
Carol

Aleta said...

Hi, Betsy - I hope that you & George didn't run into that bad weather they had in Murfreesboro yesterday! Your flowers are beautiful. We have a lot of daffodils on our property also, and they survive and spread because the deer don't eat them!

Meems said...

Hi Joy,
Love all your pretty daffs and hyacinths. They just make it look like spring and Easter. Such a wonderful time of year! All things new and bright and colorful.

Hope you had some good weather for your little getaway. I suppose rain is better than ice? So nice you live close to the Smokies... I just love to visit there.

Can't wait to see the other blooms from your garden as spring unfolds.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

Tootie said...

I love your spring flowers! I can smell the hyacinths. :-)

Anonymous said...

Guess what?! I got to see my grand-daughter again today, twice in one month - I have pics posted on my page - I'm sooo happy!!

Grammy said...

Looks like you really have spring in your neck of the woods. I went to sleep with snow on the ground. And woke up to it melted. I tried to say it was a bad dream. But hubby said no it was there!

Jackie said...

Oh, we woke up to some more snow today, hopefully the last, so I guess you're a little ahead of us AGAIN!! lol Your flowers are gorgeous, can't wait for ours to come out.

Lagean Ellis said...

Betsy, I love the flowers. I was at Ollie's this weekend and his daffodils were blooming and his purple Hyacinth. It's wonderful to watch all the flowers poking out of the ground, soon we'll have flowers all over.
I'm about to start my little flower garden at my apartment. The plants I potted and moved with me did not make it, but it gives me an excuse to go flower shopping.
I have 3 cactus, a purple Columbine, a twister plant (I forget it's "name"), to start with.
Talk soon!

Gena

Clara....in TN said...

Betsy, that little blue flower looks similar to my Greician wind flower.