Spring in Hendersonville, TN

George and I were shocked (and pleased) to see that Spring has arrived in Hendersonville, TN (where George's parents live). We have very little color so far up here on the Cumberland Plateau----but driving down off of the mountain about 2.5 hours west of home, we found Spring color yesterday!!!!!! I was so excited ---and I know this color will get to our area soon. Here are some pictures of Spring in Hendersonville, TN (which is north of Nashville). Above is one of the many Bradford Pear trees --found in almost every yard in Tennessee!!!! Below are more!

Dad Adams has always grown beautiful flowers. This is the row of Daffodils along the driveway... There are more on the other side of the driveway and also in several places in their large backyard (which Dad calls the "Back Forty")... SO pretty!!!!

The white blooms on the Bradford Pears look like SNOW.

Besides the white Bradford Pears, there was alot of YELLOWS all around the neighborhood. The Forsythias were in full bloom.

Besides Dad's white Daffodils, he also has lots of yellow ones.

Here's one more picture of the beautiful blue sky and a Bradford Pear. Can you tell that Spring has Sprung in Hendersonville, TN???????

We found George's parents in fairly good condition --although Dad (who is going to be 98 in August) has to do almost everything these days due to Mom's forgetfulness. He has never had to cook before---but has learned. However, we can tell that this is all too much for him. Please pray for them! They need to accept more help ---yet they are BOTH very very independent and stubborn.

Hugs,

Our Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)

Most of you (if you have been following my blog for awhile) know that George and I love succulents. Our Autumn Joy Sedum is one of our favorite succulents. BUT--even better than that is our Sempervivum. We have LOTS of Semps in our yard.

The name "Sempervivum" has its origin in the Latin semper ('always') and vivus ('living'). Sempervivum are called "Always Living" because this perennial plant keeps its leaves in winter and is very resistant to difficult conditions of growth.

These little succulents are also called Hens and Chicks. The main plant (hen) creates lots of babies (chicks). Typically, each plant (hen) grows for several years before flowering. After flowering, the plant dies, usually leaving many offsets (chicks) it has produced during its life. I think I read that there are over 40 different species of Semps.

I have done blog posts several times showing our Semps ---but since there are new people, I decided to show some again to you today. I hope you will enjoy my pictures!

Choose your colors!!!!! There are several choices.

This purple ones are so pretty in our yard.

They are all different colors and varieties. Some are large and some are small.

This picture is perfect to show you the chicks growing around the hen. See the little babies expanding from the Mom???

Semps love to grow in rock gardens...

The chicks will even grow on the rocks --since they are attached to the hen.

This Hen is blooming... She grew UP before blooming. After she blooms, she will die. As you can tell, each Semp is a little different from other ones.

Pretty little flowers on this one; Note how different this Semp is when she bloomed, when comparing her to the photo above this one.

I'll close with my favorite photo of our Semps.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the Sempervivum in our yard.

Happy April 1st. We are going to Hendersonville (TN) today to check on George's parents.

Hugs,