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...

Friday, February 10, 2012

Best of 2011: FLOWERS

This time of year,  when our yard looks bare and brown,  I love to look at some of the beautiful flowers we have grown this past year.   Seeing the beauty of our flowers makes me  yearn for spring...

Today I am continuing my Best of 2011 series...  I'm featuring some of the beautiful flowers that we had in our yard in 2011 ---not counting our Roses (which were featured HERE).  Sometimes,  we talk about our Roses and don't feature these other beauties enough...

Hope you enjoy seeing more of the flowers from my blog posts in 2011.  Hope these flowers are as pretty in 2012...  BUT--I pray that spring doesn't come too early because we have been known to have a BIG FROST in early April... Remember 2007????  All of the spring flower/leaves DIED that year due to the frost... So very very sad!

Above are some of our early Spring flowers:  our Daffodils (I grew up calling them Jonquils),  Hyacinths,  and Crocuses.... The early spring flowers are always so pretty. Be sure to click on the photos to see them larger.




Next came the Tulips.  We also have a wonderful ground cover in our yard,  our Periwinkle.  In Spring,  the Periwinkle gives us lovely blue flowers.  You can also see some Periwinkle in the distance in the first picture above.




When we visited Mt. Nebo, Arkansas last year,  we got to visit the Garvan  Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs...  This is where we saw lots and lots of Tulips --along with many other blooming spring flowers and shrubs. This photo looks like a painting to me.




Next came some gorgeous Irises.   This one is named Autumn Bugler.   We are lucky in that many of our Irises are now re-bloomers... They bloomed for us not only in Spring,  but also in Summer and Fall.




Another gorgeous Iris is one of my favorites...  Can you imagine why????  Its name is Tennessee Vol Iris....  Pretty special,  don't you think?




We had an abundance of lilies and day lilies in our yard in 2011...  This beautiful group of lilies are called Touching... They were some of my favorites in 2011.




And this group (another fav) are called Simplon.  Aren't they just gorgeous???




Finally,  even though there were many more beauties in the yard,  I will stop with this picture of our yard taken from the street during Spring.  It looks so different now!!!  I love winter ---but I really love spring, especially seeing all of the new leaves on the big shade trees... Note the pretty pink Azaleas in our yard, along with that gorgeous green grass.... Awe---Spring!!!!!   I just have to be patient to see this again soon.

On another note,  please say a prayer for us this weekend.  We have MUCH spring growth happening (due to our recent mild weather)---including new growth on the rose bushes.  BUT--our temperature on Saturday night is supposed to go down into the low teens.. IF that happens,  we could lose all of the new spring growth...  SCARY!!!!   But--there's nothing much we can do --except pray!  Thanks!

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy

59 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, your flowers are all so pretty. You must have the prettiest yard on the street. I love the tulips. Maybe the cold temps will not be as bad as they say. I hope so. Take care and have a great weekend!

diane b said...

That last shot is as pretty as a postcard.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love the 3rd pic down - just gorgeous! It's going to be really cold here this weekend too.

Catherine said...

Thank goodness we have photos to look back on when there is nothing too exciting happening in our yards. I hope your weather stays agreeable Betsy and your spring growth stays!

Good luck!
xo Catherine

Rita said...

Boy, your place is wonderful! I've often thought I should make sure Betsy knows that if for some reason she and her husband move on to another wonderful place to let me know. I'd buy your place in a heart beat. It looks just like me. Love the flowers and your decorating ideas. Your house is just perfect. Also, love your friendly attitude but I guess you couldn't leave that behind. :) You sure cheer a person up if they are feeling down. Best to you today.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I'm so glad I started my day here...those lovely blooms are just wonderful...crossing my fingers for weekend weather...we have daffodils blooming and budding trees also...Have a great weekend!!!

Shug said...

Good Morning Betsy...
I know what you mean about those low temps. we have trees all around that have buds just bursting out..We too are suppose to get some low temps. Will definitely be praying for your area and for all the gorgeous plants that surround you...
SWEET...this is the word I would use for all the beautiful flowers in your yard. What a blessing to be able to see them in their beautiful array of colors..
Have a wonderful day...stay warm.
hugs,
shug

Donna said...

Thank you for sharing the floral beauty with us! You yard looks spectacular! Oh, I know too well how much work it is, but the beauty sure is a great pay-off. I heard the weather report that we may get snow tonight. We've gotten really lucky so far this winter. I don't know how love you have lived in TN, but I've seen a foot of snow in April before, surrounding blooming dogwood and peach trees, LOL. That was in 91 or 92. I also remember we got snow during the first week of May. That was sometime in the late 90s.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh the beauty. These pictures make me long for spring even more. I was going to pick a favourite,the Tulips among the trees,but then you showed the Irises and now I can't decide. I love them all. Have a blessed weekend.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These are all so pretty, and it's refreshing to see some spring color at this time of year. I agree with you about the Mt. Nebo tulips looking like a painting. That's a wonderful photo.

Rohrerbot said...

I'll cross my fingers. We had the same thing happen to us last year. Very sad. BUT. Your flowers are gorgeous here and what I like most is how they were all placed in really nice formations around the gardens. Wonderful color and design!!! Great captures.

Tami AKA My Kid's Mom said...

Your yard is just beautiful. How do you find the time to keep up with it and still do all the traveling you do?

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous spring flowers!!! Love those Tulips, well I love all flowers! May your buds not get frozen!

MadSnapper said...

your home is so beautiful in the spring and your flower pics are shouting hurry spring. love that purple Iris.

Arkansas Patti said...

Coming back from town yesterday, I noticed way too many Daffodils in bloom. Pretty but they are in for a freeze this week end. Yikes.
I love your Periwinkles and plan to put some in this year. I do love ground cover. Less to mow.
Have a good weekend.

TexWisGirl said...

a very weird weather year!

those tulips are gorgeous!

Rose said...

I am so ready for spring...I think the colors are what I am missing since we haven't had a bad winter. But it is snowing right now....

Anonymous said...

I like the masonry around your beddings. And the spring flowers are out of this world. Lucky you don't have pests and bugs to ruin them.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow! what a collection!!

Debbie Taillieu said...

Hi Betsy,
These pictures of your garden make me long for spring when I can start planting in my new backyard. It's a clean slate so nothing out there for me to admire. The tulip garden does look like a painting and also reminds me of the gardens we visited in Belgium....remember that post?
I have daffodils in the refridgerator waiting to be planted! Hope they grow to be as beautiful as yours!
Thank you again for sharing your paradise on Earth!

Happy Valentines day to you and your sweetie!

Debbie's Travels

Out on the prairie said...

love the bulbs, i went and saw some indoors last week.

Ms. A said...

Oh my gosh! While I adore seeing the amazing photos of each individual flower, seeing them in groups is magnificent! Love it! Someone must work very hard to keep up with such a well-maintained and beautiful yard.

Pat Tillett said...

Beautiful flowers and photos Betsy! You are a dedicated person and it shows!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh sweet Betsy, now I'm yearnin' for spring every more than before!!!

What fabulous pictures of the best of the best!!!

I'm bitin' at the bits to get started but there's a stinkin' winter storm movin' in this weekend! Booger~bite!!!

God bless ya and have a fabulous weekend my friend!!! :o)

HolleyGarden said...

It is amazing to me to look at my garden now, and then see pictures when things are blooming - so different, and yes, it makes one yearn for spring to hurry and come! I've been looking for some groundcovers, and your periwinkle looks so pretty! I love it around the trees in your first picture, too. I hope your weather is not as cold as predicted, and I surely hope and pray with you that your garden won't be damaged. This time of year is always precarious.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!! Isn't it amazing what a few months can do outside? You might enjoy my post today, I thought of you as I was preparing it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Beautiful yard. Thanks for sharing those views! The weather forecast says 1-2" of snow tonight and very low temps day and night for the weekend. Cover what you can or put it into the garage if in pots. I'll pray for your plants to come through safely. Have a great weekend and be safe, warm, and ever joyful!

Chatty Crone said...

Well I could look at pictures of flowers all day long - esepcailly pretty ones like yours. I like the purple Irises. The one named Autumn Bugler. Love, sandie

Serenity Cove said...

Betsy...Tulips just scream SPRING is here. Your pictures are so pretty and makes me long for spring even more.
I like periwinkle too. I've got some started as a ground cover on a steep bank.I'm hoping eventually it will fill in and look as pretty as your's does!
Hope you don't get your hard freeze. It's going to be cold here this weekend with a few inches of snow expected.

happyone said...

Such pretty flowers.
Spring will be here again before you know it.

Connie said...

Beautiful flowers, Betsy. They're all so pretty I couldn't pick a favorite. They make me wish spring was here too. Have a nice weekend!

Janie said...

The flowers are a kaleidoscope of spring colors! Our horses are shedding their winter coats already. I think we'll have an early spring.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Hi Betsy, I'm salivating looking at your Spring flowers, so gorgeous and colorful !
Have you had snow today ? It came down rather heavy this afternoon, and it's turned cold.....
We are in for a cold weekend it looks like, I do hope all of your Spring plants will not suffer.
Going back to have another look at your flowers.....aaaah.
Hugs,
Jo

Anonymous said...

Very pretty pictures and such a welcome sight on a dreary Friday!

penny said...

Your flowers are always so gorgeous, Betsy. Hopefully the new growth on your rose bushes will not be harmed by the cold snap.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Pam

Wendy said...

Beautiful flowers, Betsy. Thanks for brightening up my day!

Nancy said...

Hi Betsy,
I think we all are having this crazy weather....so concerned frost is going to kill everything....

Your flowers are beautiful. I think my favorite is the purple iris.....so aweson...it's wonderful to be able to enjoy the photographs even when it's cold outside..your yard is beautiful....

Thanks for coming by my new blog and leaving your kind comments....

Ann said...

Gorgeous. Makes me want spring all the more. We are getting snow here right now so maybe it will hang out here and stay away from your spring growth :)

Diane said...

The flowers look fantastic Betsy. That purple iris is just stunning. Diane

Sally Wessely said...

I can hardly wait until things start blooming again. Thanks for the reminder spring and summer. Your gardens are always stunning.

SquirrelQueen said...

Your flowers are gorgeous Betsy. I am always amazed at the variety you have in your yard.

We have had a mild winter but no spring growth yet. Hopefully the cold weather won't last long enough to damage your spring growth.

Neal said...

The Garvan Woodland Gardens shot is out of this world. You sure have a beautiful yard at your home.

Anonymous said...

So pretty and colorful, I like to look at my snowy yard too and remember spring and summer, although this winter has been pretty mild. We had a few inches of snow last night though and it was only 10 when I got up, so I guess winter came after all to Michigan!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Your yard looks wonderful filled with such beautiful flowers! I'm more than ready for spring and flower planting time. Our weather has been unseasonably warm here for winter, too, and I hope it doesn't harm the plants and trees. It's winter-like today, in fact it's just down right cold! Take care and stay warm.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
I love all of your flowers. They are so bright and beautiful. It makes me long to get outside and work in the flower garden. Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day.

gardeningnaturallywithclaudia.blogspot.com said...

The tulips at Mt Nebo Arkansas are spectacular. What dates did you go? I would like to see this in person.

Birdman said...

Wow! Do you get a car up that driveway? What a yard!

Buttercup said...

Absolutely beautiful. Praying that the weather cooperates tonight and for all of 2012.

Regina said...

Vibrant and amazing!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead Betsy.

♥ Regina

BlueShell said...

Oh, my...I do not believe my eyes...
So beautiful, so magnificent!
Ohm yes...I enjoy it!
Hug you!
BS

Haddock said...

Thats a wonderful collection, and some nice photographs.
I like the one called Simplon. Someone gave a bunch of them for our flower vase, and I noticed that they lasted very long.

JDS said...

I especially like that picture of all the tulips. Down here, the last couple days have seen all the azaleas burst into bloom right as temperatures plunged to their coldest levels in about a month. So right now we have the look of spring with the feel of winter. That is one thing to like about February in Florida.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Betsy, your display of flowers is magnificent, and warms me through on a cold wintry day. Have a great week and let's hope this cold snap doesn't last too long :)

imac said...

Fingers crossed that you dont lose you wonderful colour show Betsy.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

You ever so lovely flowers came to my attention just as we are in the first real deep freeze and snowy winter this season. Great timing :)

Carletta said...

I hope the temps don't go as low as predicted. Those warm days took nature by surprise. It would be such a pity if you didn't have all this beauty this summer. You and George work so hard and your photos show it really pays off for you.

A Colorful World said...

Such gorgeous flowers! It was a lovely year for them! Thanks for coming by my Fridays Fences. Mom says cold is headed her way too. Stay warm!!!!

Starry Dawn said...

Good Morning, precious flower, Betsy!!
As I look into your gorgeous flower garden, I could see your beautiful heart through your garden, Betsy dear.
I've already said a prayer for your flowers not to perish after the freezing cold polar front. Please, let us know how your flowers are doing, and if they are still alive after the snow. Anyway, I am in awe at the beauty of your photographs. You are an amazing photographer, sweetheart. If you glance into My Journals Blog on Monday afternoon, you'll see my lovely post, My Song dedicated to beautiful Tennessee. I shall write it in the morning, so that it'll be ready afterwards for all my Online readers to see. I wrote a song for Tennesse a couple of years ago, and many poems as well. Since I met you in Blogland, I decided to post it again for you, sweet Betsy. I hope you join My Journals Blog soon.
I shall return again.
God keeps blessing you, and those you love, Betsy!!
Have a Happy Valentine's Day with all your loved ones!!
Hugs,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Small City Scenes said...

I love the last picture. Your house and Spring yard looks great.

I was telling Bob today the reason I get so excited about Spring is the COLOR!!! We are planting Primroses now and our Daffs and Tulips are up about 2inches. Yay!!! It does stay green here all year round so that is a plus.

I can't wait until the Tulip fields are blooming--2 monthes on that. Daffodils should be in the fields next month.

In the picture you commented on those are mountains in the background. Part of the Cascade Range. I think one is Whitehorse and the biggest is called 3 fingers.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and George. MB