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.
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