Granted this insatiable quest for spring (echoed in antsy gardening blogs around the globe, I might add) is fueled undoubtedly by weeks of warm dry weather. Not a drop of rain. So of course I got my hopes up, shoving my guilt to the back of the room, knowing in my heart of hearts we desperately needed the rain as neighbors began predicting water rations and the inevitable parched lawns. But having arrived at one of heaven’s many doors last week in the heathers at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, I continued my search and who’s to blame me? Little did I know that the “worst” Arctic-fed storms of the season were about to embark on their journey through Northern California and that I would be left in jaw-dropping awe this week as snow levels dropped to the lowest I’d ever seen them, leaving the local hills reminding one of, say, Colorado, rather than California. (That mars one pictures, doesn’t it?) Armed with optimism I nevertheless went about like a soldier in search of spring, so who’s to say what season I am in? Maybe my own. And this is not a bad metaphor for the times I feel obliged to say. Here’s what I found.
Aww, the worthy and loyal crocus. Dave says these crocuses were out front when he bought his house in the 50’s and they have reliably come up every single year with no fuss whatsoever. What a great investment and what a treasure, no? And no wonder I’d think spring so close with these blossoming in a long row just next door! In any case, they have my attention and I’m banking on spring by their presence. (What are you hanging on to at the moment?)
And, of course, there was so very much more. (One simply has to look, right?)
A lovely plum
One of my very very favorites, the acacia. (I seriously considered naming Antonia Acacia before she was born. I really did.)
This moss did not reinforce the notion of spring but it certainly caught my attention!
Good morning, pretty daffodil! Thank you for your beauty.
Having satisfied myself that spring was afoot in my own immediate world I ventured out to my dear friend Conny’s garden to see what was emerging there. Lucky me, Milli was on hand to greet me and keep me company. Hi, dear Milli!
I have loved her from the moment I met her and am so grateful to have her in my life.
Off we go.
This garden might be a bit further behind in what is opening, but the beauty abounds.
Coral bark maple, so aptly named and gorgeous in the rain!
Something coming up here! They look like tulips, don’t they? I’m sure they are!
Cute little rosehips. Good they are in Conny’s garden and not mine. I’d have drunk them all by now as tea. They are such a good source of Vitamin C!
Having thoroughly comforted myself that spring is reliably just around the corner I head off to a favorite cafe and snuggle up in a big chair and warm myself by the fire. Yes, life is well and good and happening. Deep gratitude there.
Love and garden blessings!
Kathryn xoxo
Posted on February 15th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life
Welcome, Grace in Oregon! Nice to have you visiting this grey morning! I think you chose my favs, too! I was stunned by the coral bark maple. So rich. And THANK YOU for acknowledging Milli! I kept wondering, “Do my readers not love dogs???” She’s the sweetest thing. You would love her, I bet. 🙂 Kathryn xoxo
So glad that I am not the only soul searching for Spring! Soon, I keep telling myself as I keep looking toward the ground for green and towards the sky for birds!
Hi, Mary, No you are in very good company on the spring front, trust me! It’s rampant in the gardening blogger community at the moment! Thanks for the visit! Kathryn xoxo
Your photographs are beautiful Kathryn, thank you for sharing them.
Good morning, Susan! Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by today! Kathryn xoxo
Hi Kathryn, It was fun to see the variety of early Spring signs.
I’ve been curious as to whether you’ve ever heard the outcome of your sending all the scarves (hats and mittens). I’m hopeful you’ve received word of their arrival, and hopefully a whole host of people are enjoying them. 🙂
Good morning, Shady Gardener. So glad you enjoyed the tour.
Updates on the Scarf Initiative are still being posted at https://plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com/?p=1107
Thank you for asking!
Kathryn xoxo
Oh, Kathryn! How can you flaunt your Calfornia spring while outside my window snow is falling…and so is the temperature! Here in the land of your New York ancestors winter is still firmly entrenched, but that only makes the spring so much sweeter when it comes.
My Snoopy cat is sitting in my lap and opines that Millie is pretty good looking for a DOG!
Much love, cuz.
Good morning, Loma! Well, today it is raining, so we are back to much needed winter rains. 🙂 Give Snoopy a wet kiss from her CA cousin. Kathryn xoxo
Great pictures! I do love those perennials that keep coming back year after year with little human aid. I just planted some apple and pear trees for my yard.
We don’t have much blooming here yet, but it was 60 something earlier today and it rained this evening, so I spring must be coming. 😉
Welcome, Lindsay! How fortunate to have planted apple and pear trees in your yard! You will enjoy them for years and years to come. Bravo! Kathryn xoxo
I think the angle of your crocus photo is splendid. At first, I thought it was a golden Hosta emerging from the ground. Then, I realized these were the yellow crocus like my one little one in the garden. Spring is slowly emerging all over the country. We only have to look, right? ~~Dee
Welcome, Dee, and good morning! Yes, spring is indeed emerging nearly all over the country, or preparing to, and, yes, if we look, it’s there. In California it’s bursting at the moment in spite of days and days and days of very much needed belated rain. Nice to see you here today. Thank you. Kathryn xoxo
I’m in love with the coralbark maple– wow! I’ve never seen one before. And the combination of the coralbark with the ornamental grass is a simply stunning winter tableau.
Hi, Lori! Yes, isn’t the coralbark spectacular? And I also noticed that splendid juxtaposition. That Conny is an artist in the garden (and everywhere else as well!). Thanks for the visit! Kathryn xoxo
what is the name of the first picture….it says mag1?????
Hi, Beverly, It’s a magnolia. Kathryn