Elizabeth Park Gardens in Late April

A lovely day to meet a friend for lunch and view the gardens newly planted

at Elizabeth Park in Hartford.

The front planters were colorful on the outside (purple and green)

and inside with a collage of purple pansies, green and red lettuce and Johnny Jump Ups too.

The tulip gardens were colorful

but in a more regimental way.

The architecture of the garden is more visible when new green growth

is minimal as it is still this season late in April.

Not just architecture, but a fairy garden waiting 

for the arrival of the seasonal tenants, captures attention.

The meditation spiral filled with the purple flowers of Ajuga ground cover

catches the eye even more so when in bloom.

I can't wait to go visit again in May--

and June, especially, for the roses.

Then the architecture will play a secondary role 

to the colorful blooms.

And Yellow Tulips

Lo and behold!

I've been spared a few more tulips by the rodents.

My favorite, Big Smile.

As the daffodils wane, they have been hidden behind their foliage.

I also found my quince covered in bloom.

It has been seven years since I planted it

after my first melanoma surgery.

It's uplifting to see it doing so well this spring.

The wind died down a bit today and allowed me to spray paint 

some of my garden decorations: the reading fairy statue, the wind vane,

a set of bells, and an urn.

I used forged hammered chestnut and aged copper, 

both Rustoleum products in the Universal line.

Prime and paint in one.  Good coverage with trigger spray.

Photos tomorrow if the sun shines.  Rain is expected tonight and into the day.

We need some April showers!

Time for Red Tulips

The rabbits and voles and squirrels 

have left me a couple of red tulips

blooming just in time to

commemorate my mother's.

She died April 30, 1990.

Still loving you each day, Mom!

Spring Arrives Again--For Real This Time?

The temperatures hit the low 70s today with bright sunshine and a light breeze (for a change).  We spent the weekend edging the landscape and garden beds and doing a bit of clean-up.  The landscape contractor sprayed (!) mulch on the landscape beds in front and on the side of the house.  We'll need our three grandsons to lay the soaker hose and apply mulch to the perennial beds in back of the house.  It's their spring vacation so we're hoping for a visit from them!  It's good training for being a garden man like their grandfather!

Meanwhile, I found a few more blooms on a walkabout late this afternoon.

Flowering Quince

Naturalized daffodils by the bird bath

King Alfred daffodils by the side of the house.

The fairy garden area waiting for the granddaughters

to place the fairy house and bridge and pool, etc.

Spring--the new beginning!