Impatient

Well, I certainly lacked patience when I posted previous pictures of Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum (‘Heart’s Delight’). As you can see from the two pictures below, the fully open flowers are now stunningly beautiful. This bush seems to have grown faster than of any the others planted in the front yard. Shasta and I walk past it every morning as we begin our morning walk. I so very much enjoy!

This bush, along with other bushes and a Buckeye tree, planted between the road and my front yard, will hopefully sooner than later offer a beautiful buffer. They were planted parallel to my very short driveway and continue to the wooden fence which delineates the West boundary of my property.

The fava beans seeds I planted late last Fall in the backyard are flourishing. Some of the plants even have flowers which I find so pleasing. Once the plants are stripped of their beans I often lay them atop of my raised beds to slowly decompose. This adds beneficial nutrients to the soil where food is grown for my health and well being. Dwight and I use to enjoy the beans shelled and combined with organic broth for a very tasty light evening meal. Our main meal was, and still is for me, midday when my digestion is more "top notch".

Sisyrinchium bellum (Californian blue eyed grass)

This "grass" I grew at MuRefuge as well now at PageRefuge. I have planted six plants in front of the West front corner of my house. Each plant has a slightly different shade of purple flower. Each is lovely to behold. Purple has always been my very favorite color.

The maple tree that borders my West fence
is now leafing out. Dwight loved maple trees
so this is one of the few trees remaining 
from when we purchased this property.

The tree has branches from which I can hang the wind chime Dwight gave me long ago. During the warmer months the branches also hold  three pots of Epithytes, each with a different color of flower.  Since the Winter has been exceptionally cold at night (often below freezing), the pots were moved in November to sit against the back of the house. This location is a bit warmer than hanging exposed from the leafless maple tree. 

As puttering outside in my garden on this sunny day I enjoy a belly

Spring, 2023

Annually the vernal equinox occurs on March 19, 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. The vernal equinox happens when the sun crosses the imaginary line, AKA the celestial equator, from South to North in the sky above the Earth's equator. Spring, 2023, begins Monday, March 20 and continues until Wednesday, June 21. 

03/17/2023: My dear friend Rosa shared this picture from her place near 
Villanueva, NM, which is mostly East of Santa Fe on I-40.

Does not look like Spring at Lake Tahoe
where Dwight's niece lives.
She sent me this picture taken from
her dining room window.

 

The almost daily rains has battered 
the white blossoms on
the Santa Rosa plum tree in my backyard.
Hopefully the bees are finding the
flowers so they can produce an
abundance of plums this year.

A few days ago on Shasta's and
my morning walk I took this picture.
Magnolia trees in various colors are
livening up the neighborhood.

   Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Bleeding heart)

Last year I noticed these plants were not doing well where I had
planted them. I believe it was too sunny so
I moved them to shady spot.
They seem contently thriving where I transplanted them.
They are even beginning to bloom this Spring.  

Sisyrinchium  bellum (Californian blue eyed grass)

Ceanothus (California wild lilac ‘Dark Star’)

Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum ( ‘Heart’s Delight’)

A close up picture 

of the lowest hanging flowers

is above.    

and the entire plant on a
lovely sunny day
a rarity these days.

Frequently I notice that the Wild Birds Unlimited  
Woodpeckers cylinder is covered
with Bushtits. I simply love these cute little birds!
I am hoping as the coyote bushes grow
and produce more flowers hence seeds
they will visit those.
At MuRefuge they certainly did.

I have noticed when I am out and about in my sweet little town that the rosemary bushes are covered with bright blue flowers. I have a very small bush that also has has many blue flowers. I have ordered a pink flowering rosemary which I hope to plant in the ground soon. At MuRefuge I had three of these. I thoroughly enjoyed the pink in contrast to the glossy green leaves.

As I survey my garden bursting into Spring I have a frequent big belly