Bloom Day

I was reminded this morning why I don't drink. The dizziness and headache that got me out of bed at 4:30am was uncomfortable to say the least. After a shower, it's a little better, but I'm still not feeling 100%. I still managed to get outside as soon as it was light enough to gather some blooms for Carol's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Daffodils, wood hyacinths, and crocuses have their usual spot.



Mahonia is in full bloom all through the gully.



Periwinkle in the edges of the woods are showing their namesake color.



A clump of violas are striking. I'm going to leave these in hopes of reseeded plants next year.



The tea olives are just getting started. Over the next few days, all five in the yard should release their fragrance.



One plant I don't have, but considered purchasing when I returned the cherry tree this week is Daphne odora. They're just starting to bloom and the fragrance is outstanding. I've read they can be a bit difficult so I'm not sure I want to invest the money in something so temperamental. Yes, I returned a dead plant. I did pay full price last spring. So there will be no cherries in my yard any time soon. Instead, I picked up the two Arizona Cypress trees in one gallon containers and a couple of Emerald Green Arborvitae. They were planted yesterday in various spots around the back yard.

It's 48 degrees and partly cloudy. The high today should reach 65. Upper 60s will arrive later in the week.

Today, I noticed things.

I tend to spend a lot of time with my face near the ground regardless of the season. It's easy to overlook a lot of things that get lost in spring, summer, and fall just out of sight from the safe areas of the yard. I took a walk last year in the wild and gully. I did the same thing again today. They're always there, sometimes covered by fresh spring growth, shaded by oak leaves high up in the treetops, or ignored completely due to things that crawl and slither.

A bird deposited nandina so red it's nearly black in the sun.



A leatherleaf mahonia on the other side of the dead oak tree.



Another one in the gully.



Oranges still trying to ripen before the wind and rain (possibly snow) take them down.



I wonder who was living here when this one fell? The rotted stump is where I planted shastas, bamboo, and forget me nots in the perennial bed.



Next year's Rose of Sharon seedlings.



A very cold camellia.



A fancy leafed English ivy that's nearly overtaken this maple.



Catbriar (smilax) with berries that the birds love to spread.



It will offer the lucky pair that takes refuge in the house I built for them some protection from the neighborhood cats.



The intricate patterns of strangling vines.



Long ago, this pine was the victim of a lightning strike.



The bark tells me it won't be long before it falls to the ground. I wonder if I'll notice.



The seeds of Miscanthus "Cosmopolitan" against the blue sky.



Finally, something new, that I didn't plant, poking out of the leaves in the former white bed corner.



I just wanted to take a closer look at some things today. I've spent so much time planning the big picture lately. It's 45 degrees and sunny.

Tomorrow I got back to work until Saturday. I'm going to miss being outside, in my own yard.