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!

Wait ten minutes

 As the saying goes, if you don't like the weather in the Bay Area these days, wait ten minutes and it will change. And, umm, weren't we in the middle of a long drought? Not anymore. Hello snow pack!

In any case, here are a few photos from my early spring garden. As befitting my one-of-everything garden, the photos cover a wide ground. Enjoy.

This is actually my neighbor's patch of daffodils, putting on quite the show.

I love blue Ipheions. Easy to grow, they naturalize and that robins egg blue color is fab.

Here's an explanation for a situation that sometimes puzzles gardeners. They buy a mix of different colored freesias but several years later, some or all of them suddenly look like the ones in this photo. The answer? The freesias have reverted to their original species form. There is one consolation - the species ones tend to be even more intensely fragrant.

Magnolia 'Butterflies.' This creamy yellow flowering magnolia is a beauty.

Just when you think you know Grevilleas, along comes one like this G. 'Molongo' with its bunches of small pale orange flowers. This guy has prospered despite being left in a container.

Kudos to those who can ID this shrub. It's Dodonea sinuolata. It has unusual flowers and seedpods, looking nothing like the more common hop bush.

Flowering quince (Chaenomeles species) are one of the great winter blooming shrubs. The small flowers appear in great numbers in mid-winter and colors range from white to soft pink, coral and red.

Unlike most Centaureas, this C. gymnocarpa forms a large shrub. And as you can see, it holds onto its gorgeous silver tones.

The first of my daffodils to bloom this year were the smaller-flowered but intensely fragrant Doubles Mix. Just intensely sweet smelling.

One of the earliest of our common bulbs to bloom, Ranunculus offers peony-like blooms in a wide range of colors.

The color here is from pansies but that serrated leafy plant in the center is a breadseed poppy. Famous for their extravagant flowers held on 4' high stems, these beauts also produce distinctive seedpods.

Osteospermums (African daisy) seem to bloom almost year round in our climate. Sturdy, not fussy about soil, drought tolerant once established, they are almost the perfect flower.

The star of my winter garden is undoubtedly this Grevillea Poorinda 'Blondie.' It has produced an abundance of golden-orange flowering slender cones. The flowers stay open a  long while too.

A new daffodil this year, one just beginning its show.

A bit hidden amongst other taller plants, this Magnolia stellata is peeking out to grab some sun.

Sometimes nursery customers think I'm kidding when I give them the common name for Claytonia siberica. It's Miner's lettuce and yes, the leaves are edible and the story has it that those panning for gold ate this plant for its nutrition.

Chamaecyparis 'Golden Surprise.' Not sure where the golden part comes in but I love the soft, feathery blue foliage on this new addition to my garden.

I'm not sure of this succulent's ID but I love its sturdy upright form and purple tones.

Agave pygmaea. Love the rich blues on this low growing agave.

Bronze fennel. I'm mainly growing this fennel to attract Anise Swallowtail butterflies but it's kind of pretty on its own.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope.' I had to cut this lovely shrub nearly to the ground due to our house being painted but it has returned looking ever so lovely.

Lachenalia tricolor. One of my favorite South African 'cowslips.'

Begonia maculata 'Wightii'. A new addition, I have yet to find a place in the ground for it.

Speaking of new additions, here's a new variegated leaf Tricyrtis. This toad lily loves bright shade.

I've long forgotten the name of this orchid but it blooms faithfully every year.

Camellia 'Lila Naff.' I love the creamy pink color on this variety.

Camellia 'Francie L'. The variegated flowers on this sturdy camellia open each with its own patterns.

Ribes 'Claremont.' One of the best selling flowering currants. A magnet for hummingbirds!

Two Billbergias, one a variegated yellow and green and the other a dusky gray.