A Rainy Spring

 Well, raise your hand if you're long ago sick of all the rain we're getting. Somehow our gardens march on. I am one of those who believe that natural rainfall is alive with prana and for that reason, more beneficial to our gardens than hose water. So perhaps that explains the exuberance in my garden. In any case, here are a few recent photos showing recent activity.

I already have lily shoots up, including for these attractive dark red Orienpet lilies.

Geranium harveyi + purple oxalis. My G. harveyi has been a wildly successful planting.

I have made use of a generous number of pots in my garden, including some fabric planters, very useful for housing bulbs.

This is the lavender form of Salvia africana-lutea, often identified as S. africana caerulea. Very pretty!

My large Aloe striata has once again put up a bloom spike. It is known as Coral aloe because of the slim coral border to the leaves.

Two varieties of hybrid tulips.

Here's a closer look at one of the hybrid tulips.

My large collection of bromeliads continues to prosper.

Abutilon Tiger Eye. This one has flowers with prominent veining.

Daffodil Apricot Whirl. One of my new daffodils this year.

Choisya 'Sundance'. This is the golden-leaved version of the popular Mock Orange shrub.

Though not in bloom yet, this Crinum 'Rosea' is already flush with big leaves.

Tulipa saxatilis. One of the easiest species tulips to grow, with large pink flowers and golden centers.

Sparaxis variety. Known as Harlequin flowers due to their many colors, this spring blooming bulb is very reliable and naturalizes in your garden.

Here's a closer look at that purple oxalis (O. triangularis).

Freesias are another spring blooming bulb that naturalizes in your garden. This is my favorite color, sort of a lavender-purple.

Two more bulbs - the orange Ranunculus and another species tulip - T. clusiana.

This charming plant is Helichrysum 'Ruby Clusters.'

Oops, these duplicates slipped in.

Here are two Chamaecyparis shrubs, showing how diverse the foliage can be within the genus.

It's surprising to me that this Viburnum x burkwoodii shrub is not better known. It has intensely sweet flowers, easily rivaling those of Daphne species.

Grevillea 'Molongo.' This amazing Grevillea is still in bloom!

Pelargonium variety + sweet pea leaves.

There are of course ferns that are evergreen and those that go deciduous. Japanese Painted ferns belong to the latter group but they return strong in the spring. Mine have already leafed out. So lovely!