Now the reward

 Well, it may have been a drag putting up with rain day after day throughout the winter and early spring but now we see the rewards for this endurance. That rain has caused a flush of new growth on our deciduous shrubs and trees and given smaller perennials a chance to develop sturdier roots. Now with sun and warmer weather, many plants have burst into bloom. Today's photos give an idea of the breadth of this newfound floral joy. That said, here they are.

One of the stars of this year's garden has been the Ixia paniculata 'Eos'. It looks especially great in a thicket of bulbs.

Marmalade bush always draws attention when it's in bloom. Hummingbirds and titmice love the nectar they source from its flowers.

Leuco spermum 'Veldfire' likewise has that wow factor when it is in bloom. Bees love the flowers.

My Papaver 'Scarlet peony' breadseed poppy is spectacular this year.

I've forgotten the name of this Mimulus variety. Pale yellow and white flowers. So pretty and it's a CA native.

My Aloes are in bloom, including this smaller-sized one.

I'm not sure but I think this geranium might be G. incanum 'Sugar Plum.' It's vigorous and tenancious!

Aloe striata (Coral aloe). Aloe flowers are a great source of nectar for hummingbirds.

This hard to find Phacelia tanacetifolia (Lacy phacelia) is a beauty and a favorite destination for bees and butterflies.

Clematis 'Niobe' has one of the richest flowers in the clematis world.

Although most people think the common name 'Mock orange' refers to Philadelphus species, Choisya ternata also exhibits that wonderful citrus fragrance. Here's Choisya 'Sundance', known for its golden foliage.

Scabiosa 'Harlequin.' This ground cover Scabiosa attracts beaucoups of bees and butterflies.

Echium 'Blue Bedder' may be an annual but it's still a bee magnet and it self-seeds readily!

Tho most people think that all honeysuckles are fragrant, some aren't. This Lonicera x americana makes up for that fact by producing millions of very lovely flowers.

Nigella variety. Love-in-a-Mist flowers can be pink, blue or white but most people prefer this sky blue color.

The rain has definitely benefited my Smoke tree. It flushed out full and already has it's first 'smoke' flower puffs.

The photo above and below are those of an unidentified Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem). This vigorous bulb can have white, yellow or orange flowers.

The more common Salvia africana-lutea has brown flowers but this 'cousin', S. africana-caerulea has lavender-colored blooms.

Here's another photo of my Crimson peony breadseed popppy. Notice how dense with petals it is.

There are many interesting species Impatiens out there and one of them is I. usambarensis. It's a prolific bloomer, as you can see here.

I have many, many lilies and the first to bloom are usually the Asiatic types. Here's an Asiatic called 'Lionheart.'

My Bronze fennel is off and running. Now I have my eyes trained for the first Anise Swallowtail caterpillars.

Everybody loves sweet peas ...

One of the 'old world' Clematis, this C. 'Belle of Woking' is uniquely charming.

It's hard to see but this little Sedum species is housed in a decorative blue teacup planter.

This barrel cactus has sprouted its first flowers.

Peanut cactus seems an apt common name for this cactus.

I like this wood planter and it currently holds a couple of Blechnum ferns.

The rain also benefited my Rhododendron 'Sappho'. It's having its best blooming year ever.

Viburnum plicatum. I love the ridged, bright green leaves on this Viburnum as much as I do its flowers.

Wonga Wonga vine is the common name for this Pandorea pandorana.

Spring - Full On

 Well, the rain has apparently stopped and warmer weather has moved in. It may be a late spring but at least it's here. I kept telling friends that we had the rain, now all my garden needed was warmer weather. It's put on a spurt in the last week. So here is visual evidence of this spurt. Enjoy!

Salvia elegans 'Golden Delicious'. This 'pineapple sage' is vigorous and holds onto that lovely golden foliage year round in our mild zone.

Not sure about the ID on this pretty bulb. A Homeria perhaps. Whatever it is, it's prolific.

Babiana stricta hybrid. This South African bulb is a reliable mid-spring bloomer.

Walkway bed. As you can see, I've crammed a lot of plants in this narrow sunny bed. A lot of that is bulbs.

Dutch iris variety. These common iris may not be as flamboyant as bearded iris but they are still pretty.

Sparaxis mix. Another S. African bulb that naturalizes in everyone's garden.

Is there anything more cheerful in spring than daffodils?

These tulips almost have a translucent glow to them.

Aloe striata. Coral aloe (as it's known) is a prolific bloomer, something the hummingbirds certainly enjoy.

Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop'. One of my favorite conifers ...

Tulipa clusiana. This small-flowered species tulip reappears each year, unlike most hybrid tulips.

Succulent bowl. The sand I layered on top gives this mixed succulent bowl a distinctive look.

Camellia 'Winner's Circle.' I love the salmon-colored flowers on this camellia.

Freesias and Sparaxis. Two very colorful spring bulbs.

Cerinthe major. This annual flower is known to self-seed prolifically, which it's done in my garden.

Dutch iris 'Mystic Beauty.' A must have for those who love the color purple.

Not sure of the ID for this species tulip but I think it may be T. humilis 'Little Beauty.'

Did I mention how much I love daffodils?

Mimulus variety. Tho they often have brightly colored flowers, certain varieties exhibit more subtle charms.

Aquilegia chrysantha. This durable columbine blooms reliably each year.

Abutilon 'Tiger Eye'. One of the flowering maples exhibiting prominent veining.

Purple sedum. I can't remember this lovely sedum's botanical name but it's one of my favorite succulents.

Fuchsia autumnale is an unusual fuchsia, being a trailing or cascading species. And the colorful leaves make it one of the prettiest, even when not in bloom.

This petite-leaved sedum looks great in a ceramic teacup, don't you think?