Spring can't Be Far

 

I love to see the Iceland Poppies starting to bloom and wave in the spring breeze. The colors are so intense. That is one yellow poppy!

Pretty in Pink

I love these pink Camillia blossoms.

Flower Fields Forever

The Lompoc Flower Festival was held this week. The fields on the west side of the city were beautiful.

Of course the wind was blowing, but doesn't it always in Lompoc. We went prepared for that. These are Stocks in all different colors and the air had that delightful Cinnamon and Spice smell. It was a lovely day.

Heaven On Earth

The Rhododendrons are blooming their hearts out this year. They love our brisk early spring weather. We cut this plant back drastically last year and look at the way it came back. So don't be afraid to trim.

Their fragrance is amazing. Sometimes I go and stand beside the bush just to take in the smell. It's just heavenly.

Brave Soul

This brave little Sunflower is blooming in the plowed up garden. It is so confused... it is February! We have had some beautiful warm days this month though, and this guy made the best of the warm time it had. This weekend the weather guys were talking about snow! We did get some rain but no snow... surprise, surprise! But, it is very cold, very cold for us folks here on the coast. Burrrrr.

Raindrops On Flowers

We had a few sprinkles last night and the Camellias are soaking up the moisture. I love the flowers that are brave enough to show their faces even though it is still technically winter and most of the annuals are dead or brown. I planted some Daffodils under the willow tree just so I could see some early flowers. They have yet to show any leaves, so it will be a while for them.

So I'm thankful to the Camellias... for their bright shiny face today!

Home Sweet Home

I love the feeling I get when coming back to the house. Doesn't matter how long we've been gone, maybe just to the store...it's always good to be home.

Sunny Sunflower

This sunflower looks like it is smiling.

How the Garden Grows Today

We picked our first tomato today...nothing special but it shows us that they are making it and there are lots more to come. There are tons of green ones and if they can make it through all this fog without getting blight or rust, we will have tomatoes by the baskets. I found a cucumber that is about 2 inches long, and the peppers are loaded with babies. I see salsa and gazpacho in our future.

The California Poppies are in their second crop. Now in the wild this wouldn't have happened unless they got a good rain storm. We watered this patch and stirred it up and were rewarded. The pink and purple flowers were labeled as Godetia or Farewell to Spring on the seed package but they are very different from what I've had before. This flower is much smaller and many to a long stem. They are also a native California plant that must have several varieties. We enjoy them all!

Sunlight on Flower

Shades of lavender bathed in sunshine.

Lilacs in Bloom

This is a special treat. I love lilacs and have failed miserably at growing them. This year it actually has some full filled out branches.

Geraniums From Long Ago

There are many kinds of Geraniums and this is one "true" Geranium you will seldom see. Hubby got this plant from a lady in the Geranium Society. It has not been an easy plant to deal with, and I am sorry to say he has threatened to pull it out more than once. Right now it looks beautiful and likes all the rain we have gotten this spring.

This is a Cranesbill Geranium so called because of the shape of their seed pods. The foliage is distinctly toothed and bright magenta flowers are in a tight cluster on top of the plant. It is quite different from the usual plants we call Geraniums which are really Pelargoniums. Beautiful, just beautiful. It likes all your loving care, my dear.

Happy Rock Roses

With all of the rain we have had the Rock Roses are blooming their hearts out. They are drought tolerant plants but really put on a show when they get plenty of water.

March Wildflowers

We took a ride to find wildflowers and with the help of the ranger at Santa Margarita Lake we found some beautiful ones.

 

We drove from the lake to Hwy 58 and then turned north on Shell Creek Road. I saw a sign that said we were about 4 miles east (I think) of Creston.

We were not disappointed! As an extra bonus, it was a spectacular weather day too.

We could only identify the California poppies and Lupins but there must have been eight or ten different varieties.

I need to get a wildflower book and try to look up some of these. It was a wonderful day.

Weeds or Flowers

Are these bright yellow plants that show up in early spring weeds or flowers? The kids loved them and would pick the flowers and chew on the stems. I think they called it sour grass. Their brilliant yellow is  cheery and the blossoms so abundant.

These brave guys came up in the purple Lantana bed and that is OK with me...for now. However, when the Lantana gets it's new growth and is looking purple and plush after being nipped by frost, I just may consider these guys weeds. How fickle is that!

California Poppy

This California Poppy is absolutely the most beautiful shade of orange there is. I love it!

Sign Of Spring?

Didn't we just start winter on December 21? I didn't expect these narcissus to be poking their heads up for a while. When I did a little walk around the yard, there they were so perky and happy in their little bed behind the barn. I couldn't resist bringing some into the house. They make me smile.

The Monarchs are Here

We live a few miles from the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove wintering site. The butterflies arrive for the winter about this time of year. Quite a few choose our yard to hang out. They love the Lantana and will feed there for hours. This part of their life cycle is peaceful and relaxed but what about all those miles they fly? They seem so small and fragile for that daunting task. Welcome butterflies...you can rest here.

Saying Hello?

My Mom's favorite flowers in the garden were zinnias. These came up volunteer all over the garden this year, so I gathered them up and put them in a special place by the fence. Maybe Mom is saying hello! I miss her...lots.

Hydrangeas

The Hydrangeas have been beautiful this year. They are one of my most favorite flowers. I don't know if these are pink trying to turn blue or blue ones turning pink. They look confused but I love them anyway.