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...

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

What a Difference...


Last Thursday (April 1st) was the day that we drove to Hendersonville and noticed all of the beautiful spring colors THERE. WELL-it's been FOUR days since that trip ---and GUESS WHAT????? We have LOTS of color and beauty now right here in Fairfield Glade. We've had almost summer-like conditions since last Thursday---so everything is beginning to show their colors!!!!

Here are some pictures taken yesterday afternoon around our yard... Above are some of the many different TULIPS in bloom near the back deck. The yellowish/white ones are named Purissima and the multi-colored ones are named Haley's Comet. Below are more!!!




This year, we have had two colors of HYACINTHS in our yard, dark purple ones and these pretty pink ones. Their name is Red Rocket. Pretty, aren't they?





Here is a picture of our side flowerbed ---along with some of the many areas of blooming ground cover around our yard, PERIWINKLE. In this side flowerbed are planted Crocuses, Hyacinths, Daffodils (several varieties), Tulips, Lilies, Daylilies, and Irises.





I love HOSTA.... I have them planted in several places throughout the yard. I love to watch them pop up from the ground and then grow!!!!! Awesome!!!






The little blue flowers on our PERIWINKLE ground cover are just gorgeous against the green leaves and grass. We have Periwinkle around our yard in areas where mowing is difficult , and in areas where it's too shady for grass to grow. Along with the Periwinkle ground cover, we also have some English Ivy --but it isn't very pretty yet.





The Purissima TULIPS are even blooming in the new flowerbed beside the road.




Here is our lower front yard ---looking toward our rock bed and toward the woodpile in the back yard. Note that the rose bushes are growing now---and loving this weather. We may have some roses in bloom by the first of May --depending upon our April weather of course. You can also see all of the little Daffodils (Narcissus) in this picture. For those of you who were following my blog a year ago, you may remember these little Daffodils --which I have named the DAD ADAMS DAFFODILS (since he gave these to us).




This is the upper side of our front yard. You can see the Daffodils blooming in the two round beds --along with some of the Periwinkle in the distance. After George fertilized the yard, the grass has 'greened up' really well.

I have lots more pictures to share, and George has taken some great macros. SO---I'll close saying that there will definitely be more to come. I'm THRILLED that spring is HERE.

Hugs,

48 comments:

Valerie said...

Loving the color that you are sharing! We are getting there ...

My hyacinths look like yours -the color is pretty but in the sense that they are not full of compact flowers like when you buy a plant in the store. Do you know why that is? I was wondering if that is a lack of something in the soil? Just curious.

My Hosta's aren't even popping thru the soil yet - but my coneflowers are. I don't want to rush anything. We have waited too long for this period of growth after the long hibernation!

Have a great week!
Valerie

pam said...

Stuff is growing like crazy! Every morning I check the hostas, and seriously, they grow 2 inches over night.

Catherine said...

Oh Betsy ~ look at all your beautiful color! Hosta are my favorite. I had such a nice bed of them until Wayne decided he was going to build a bigger shed, so I dug them up and moved them, but they then did not come back. That was 3 summers ago...we still don't have a new shed... :( Men...!

Looking forward to more wonderful flower/garden photos!

xo Catherine

Joe Todd said...

Love the colors and Love spring. Have a great week

penny said...

I hope you and George had a wonderful Easter with your families, Betsy.

You spring flowers are so colorful. I love the blue Periwinkle used as ground cover, that was a great idea.

Beth said...

Beautiful, Betsy! We have stuff popping up here, too, but our weather is more like summer than spring. I guess I shouldn't complain though. :-)

I really, really love your periwinkle. I don't think I've ever seen it bloom so profusely.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Your yard is beautiful...I love that periwinkle...the bed shows up so purple and beautiful!!! Looking forward to more birds and flowers!!!

Anonymous said...

I think we are all thrilled with spring this year! Your yard is just beautiful, Betsy. I love all your pretty flowers and the ground cover is so pretty.

Tabor said...

Your yard is so lovely. I'll bet you cannot wait until it is all in bloom. My red tulips that I bought for a pot this spring are gorgeous.

diane b said...

Amazing the difference in a few days. The periwinkle ground cover is just gorgeous and so too the daffodils and tulips. It must be very exciting seeing everything popping up.

Thistlebrooms said...

It's always amazing to see Spring working its way up North...
Starting in Florida then finally up to New England.
It's pretty rare, that this year even we have an Early Spring with the high temperatures!!!

Absolutely Lovin' it!!!

Gorgeous Gardens betsy...

Always~Marilyn

nanny said...

Isn't spring wonderful?
Your yard is so pretty. I know all of that beauty takes lots of work on your part....Good Job!
I can smell those beautiful hyacinths!
My hostas are popping out of the ground too. I divided several yesterday, hope they do well. I don't have much shade for them so they won't do well when summer really gets hot.

Love the pictures...don't you just want to stay outside all day and enjoy your yard?

Kirigalpoththa said...

Lovely colors of Spring is on the way!

Connie said...

It's amazing the way things can change in just a few days, isn't it Betsy?! It all looks so beautiful. I love the periwinkle. Such a pretty color.

Diane AZ said...

Yes, your yard looks so different from when it was covered with snow! The periwinkle ground cover, red rocket hyacinths and hostas are quite charming. Happy Spring!

I Am Woody said...

I think we bypassed spring and went straight into summer. I got a sunburn shopping for flowers at the home depot:)

Busy Bee Suz said...

How amazing how quickly things change!!! I am amazed at the amount of color you already have in your yard.
I adore the periwinkle. I would love to cover my entire yard in that...no grass :0

Darla said...

Dang it girl! Ya'll caught up over night...looks beautiful and I love the periwinkle!!

Jo said...

Wow Betsy;) what a colourful garden. And I simply love the Dad Adams Daffodils. So pretty. Thanks for your patience with my many comments last week. I trust all's well and this one only arrives once this time! It's always good to see you on my blog. Today I posted about a hike Grant and I did over the weekend. I thought of you and George often! Soon I'll be back in Khartoum and visiting all the blogs regularly again. (((Hugs))) Jo

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Betsy, your yard looks so lovely. We have some species tulips just beginning to open but many of the daffodils are blooming. Have you mowed your grass already?
Marnie

Snap said...

Beautiful, Betsy. Spring is going full speed at your house. Love the periwinkle -- the blue just pops against the green.

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful, beautiful Betsy! the colors are gorgeous. Just when you thought nothing was happening-POP-there it is. My Hostas are about like yours. I like to see them come out of the ground too. they look like thumbs poking up at first. Your Periwinkle is brilliant. Perfect for hard to grow areas. thanks for the great shots. MB

Glenda said...

Betsy, you live in a little piece of heaven, I think! Your place is beautiful! The periwinkles are simply gorgeous, and so are the tulips. Your yard is so well-groomed, and I know it will just get prettier as spring progresses. It's always neat to see home shots of fellow bloggers.

Have a blessed week! With your joyful attitude, I know you will!

Sunny said...

Wow! Spring has sprung in your area, how lovely.
My crocuses and daffodils just opened up within the last couple days.
Sunny :)

Kay said...

Everything looks so pretty.

Deb said...

It's so exciting to see everything come back to life...I love the periwinkle.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Betsy, it looks like the middle of Summer alright, and I'm beginning to wonder waht kind of temps we are going to get this real Summer ?
Wow, all the flowers are just beautiful, it's took a lot of hard work to get them established but look at the return....specatacular color.
I just love your place, it's like a private little wonderland.
Cooler weather on the way, or so they say :)

Anonymous said...

Your house and yard are so pretty. I especially like the side flowerbed. I would enjoy sitting on that porch and looking at all the beautiful plantings. Yesterday was a gorgeous day. I spent part of the day reading "The Duchess" by Jude Deveraux(I finished it.). I sat on our front porch. The sun was shining down on me. I got too much sun. My arms and neck are sunburned! I was so engrossed in my story that I didn't even notice that I was getting burned! Early this morning a pretty good thunder and lightning storm awakened me. It has been a dreary day so far. That's OK, though; we could use the rain. Have a great week, Betsy!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE seeing your yard! The tulips and others are great, but I'm a big wildflower lover, so I'm just adoring the bed of Periwinkle. I showed it to Phil. I didn't know that it loved shade, but I want to get some now. I hope you had a great Easter!

imac said...

Such a wonderful Garden Betsy.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Great photos of Spring in the mountains. We have a lot going on here also.

Diane said...

Your flowers are gorgeous, Betsy. I especially love that beautiful periwinkle. It must be spectacular in person. Diane

Cheryl said...

Oh the hyacinths are beautiful! Of course everything in your yard is wonderful but the hyacinths just seem to jump out at me. I love the periwinkle ground cover. You have the prettiest yard.

Shelley said...

Your landscaping is so beautiful Betsy! Wish I had all those pretty tulips! I"m going to have to plant some at the cabin to enjoy! Please send some spring my way! We're slowly but surely getting there.
Hugs,
SHelley

Together We Save said...

All of your flowers are lovely but that ground cover is my favorite!!

DayPhoto said...

Sigh! Double Sigh! Your yard is beautiful...I want spring to come here.

It is snowing....again.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Joy said...

Oh how Pretty!!! I love the periwinkle ground cover. I wonder if that would grow here in Texas.

I just love the name of your town. It sounds like the name of novel. One I would definitely pick up.

♥ Joy

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Just gorgeous! I had to show J, as he loves to garden too!
We just ooohed and aaahhhed over your many beautiful colors!

Every morning when I walk outside I have a new surprise to look at! I think our tulips are the prettiest they have ever been :) I just cannot wait for my Daylilies!

Enjoy the day on Wed. I hear we are going to have rough storms on Thurs. and it is supposed to go down to 37 at night! I thought the wood stove was done for the year :(

xo, misha

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The Periwinkle is gorgeous.We have it in a few places but of course it will be a while before it blooms here.
Blessings,ruth

Rose said...

Isn't it great to see the flowers again? I actually have blooms starting to open on my dogwood...tulips, hyacinths, daffodils have been in bloom since sometime last week.

DeniseinVA said...

What a beautiful garden you have Betsy, these photos make my heart smile.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Betsy your yard looks so colorful with all those pretty flowers blooming! I love the perwinkles!

Cia said...

Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures of Spring!

Cia

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I bought sweet pea, sunflower and holly hock seeds toay. I am planning a wildflower garden...smiles...m...

amelia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
amelia said...

I love periwinkle, it's a big favourite of mine and yours is probably the prettiest display I've ever seen!! We have some but our ground is still frozen so it won't be up yet and when it does, it doesn't thrive like yours...so sad :(

MadSnapper said...

your yard is fully fantastic!!!! love, love the periwinkles

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh Betsy, it is really looking like spring in your beautiful yard. My daffodils are almost gone but the tulips and irises are just getting started. Spring has indeed Sprung!