Garden Blogger' Bloomday...March 2012...

Here we are at the middle of the month, when Garden Bloggers 

show off what is blooming in their gardens.

There's not much blooming here at Patchwork Garden.  But, here goes.

Above is Mealy Blue Sage, Salvia farinacea.  It's not usually this early here, 

but maybe our mild winter sped it up.

This is the third year for this Silver Bush Germander, Teucrium fruticans, 

and, it's the first time it's bloomed.  I like those little blue flowers.

Is this the year it 'leaps'?

You know the old garden saying..

First year sleeps

Second year creeps

Third year leaps.

We need some leaping plants, around here.

The Primrose Jasmine, Jasminum mesnyi, is still going strong.

I love those sunny little blooms.

This red Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii, is blooming nicely.

It got missed, when I cut back all the others.  Now, I just can't cut it back until it finishes blooming.

I need some blooms....

I'm still loving this red-blooming Strawberry.  The red bloom and those glossy dark leaves are great.

And, we get the bonus of fruit.  This is our first one.  Mr. P and I will have to share this one.

Over in the Veggie Garden, the Sugar Snap Peas are blooming and putting on some peas...finally.

Doesn't that pretty little bloom look like a Holly Hobby bonnet?

This is the first time we've had a bloom on the Red Yucca, Hesperole parviflora.

Somehow, I was able to fool the deer, with this tomato cage wrapped in deer mesh.

This is not a true Yucca.  But, that's what we call it.

The deer might munch a bit on the ends of the 'leaves'.  But, mostly leave it alone.

But, they love the blooms...of all Yuccas.  

I love it too.  So, I'm glad they've left this one alone....for now.

Last, but certainly not least...the Violas are still blooming nicely.

The Pansies have some blooms, but have slowed down.  Maybe it's this warm weather.

So, that's what's blooming here.

Be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Garden, 

for more beautiful blooming gardens.

Check back in tomorrow for

Foliage Follow-Up.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~ 

Jeruselem Sage...

I love Jeruselem Sage.  Last year, we didn't get many of those pretty,

Dr. Seuss type blooms.

I don't think that will be the case, this year.  Look at all those buds.

It's going to be FULL.  I can't wait.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~

Sunday Stroll...

We had rain, most of the weekend.  It all added up to about three inches here.

When the rain ended, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day....if a bit soggy.

The water was up in the creek.  So, we went out to check it out.

Willow goes along, too...if we don't go to far from home.

I'm not sure we'll ever tire of the water running down the creek.

And, rushing over the waterfall.

We walked back up to the cart path and toward the grove.  

Above is the view golfers get of the house.  Not the best view...but, better than it was.

Looking back at the house from the Deer Grove...the trees make a nice frame.

That planter is really uneven...hmmm.

Willow stayed with us the whole way.

In Elli's Meadow, there are verbena blooming, already.

And, this little yellow flower.  I think it had closed up for the night.  

Not sure what it is. 

There are lots of wildflowers coming up....mostly Mexican Hats and verbena.

Full circle, we grabbed some glasses of wine and sat in the swing for a while.

Always, always in the company of deer.

This little yearling doe is very small for her age.

She's barely larger than a fawn.  Maybe the drought last summer stunted her growth.

Soon, the lady and the large black Great Dane came along on their walk.  That big dog is one of the few things that will spook them.  So, off the ran.

We finished our wine, and headed to the house, to start the fire for grilled salmon and roasted veggies.

Life Is Good...

~~Linda~~

Kansas Visiting....

Keeper of the Plains

I told you recently, that our daughter and her family have moved from way up north, 

in North Dakota, to south central Kansas. 

Almost one thousand miles closer.

Photo by Son-in-Law

So, to celebrate the move, we went up for a visit.  We did give them a couple weeks to get settled in.

We'll be seeing more of these two...and, their parents, too, of course.

We took a drive into Wichita to see some sights.  

We spent the most time at the

Keeper of the Plains.

Photo by Son-in-Law

This sculpture and interpretive center, stands at the confluence of 

the Arkansas and the Little Arkansas rivers.

Plains Indians used this site as a camping area.

Exhibits of Native American lifestyle add more interest.

A plaque explains the Plains People's Circle of Life.

The Hoop is the symbol of the world.

Half is a physical realm, half spiritual.

The number four is prominent in their belief....

the four seasons, four directions, four elements, etc.

In the center is a turtle.

The Plains People believed that we're all floating on the back of a turtle,

through a primordial sea.

The turtle is represented in several places.

In the evenings, these fire pits, which circle the front of the sculpture, are lit.

We didn't stay for that.  But, maybe next time, that would be a nice thing to do.

Back at the house, there were a couple things I didn't recognize.

This tree for one.

The bark was very interesting.

And, these look like some kind of bulb.  I've never planted many bulbs, so don't recognize these.

Anybody know the tree or these bulbs?

Again, photo by Son-in-Law

We had a great time, and we'll be doing it again sometime soon.

There are sure to be more photo opportunities ahead.  

Happy days, for sure.

Oh....and we're making headway on those weeds, too.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~