Delicate spring snowflakes are the first flowers to bloom in
spring. They self-seed and their delicate flowers and foliage disappears by
late spring as bulbs go dormant.
It's been awhile since we've heard from Irvin and Pauline
Faria out in Carmichael, California! Irvin says, "We received some
wonderful news about “Pauline’s Garden”. She was awarded a Certificate of
Recognition by the California Garden Clubs, Inc. for an “Outstanding Private
Garden”. We are facing the fourth year of drought. As of April 1, 2014, the
measured California statewide water content of the snow pack is at only 18% of
the historical average. This is the third driest moment in 119 years of record
keeping. Water managers are currently making science-based decisions on
efficient use of water. For the moment, water use for home gardens is
restricted to two days per week. In that regard, we are applying at least two
to three inches of mulch throughout the garden in an effort to moderate soil
temperature extremes and slow evaporation. Spring has arrived early with
temperatures in the high 80’s this week. The drought conditions have confused
the normal blooming timing cycle for trees and plants. For the moment trees are
our biggest concern as their new foliage is beginning to show."
Snowflakes up close show their beauty in motion
Always the favorite tree in the garden, a 'Katsura' Japanese
maple is one of the first trees to come out in the spring. Its beautiful orange
spring color changes to golden-yellow during the summer.
Framed by an arbor, a Western redbud (Cercis) opens its
brilliant clusters of flowers.
Each year the pink buds of our dogwood trees open into
spectacular profuse flowers announcing the beginning of spring. Here a pink
dogwood, framed by Japanese maples, is beginning to display its foliage.
'Muraski kiyohime' Japanese maple with new yellow-green
foliage. Fall colors become blends of yellow-orange.
Throughout the garden iris are now in full bloom
Sprays of spherical, two-seeded red berries of heavenly
bamboo (Nandina) add a crisp feeling during a morning walk through the garden.
Azalea is paired with delicate maidenhair ferns
Azaleas are in full bloom and contrasted with horsetail
Azalea are global plants of the garden. Here a pink azalea
adds charm in the early spring
The stone lantern is softened by soft maidenhair ferns.
Our task this summer will be to preserve the Japanese maples
of the garden