![\"DSC05288\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gardenescapades.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/DSC05288-e1456292581392.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOne of Leon\u2019s early stone sculptures.\u00a0 This one is called Aquarius and it sits near the pond in the fenced pond garden.\u00a0 The above Hellebore lives there, too.<\/p>\n Below are some bonsai starts\u2013seedling that I started years ago.\u00a0 The center plant is a Japanese larch that is leafing out\u2013such a cheerful, graceful tree.<\/p>\n The larch buds just bursting with life:<\/p>\n I love the light through the garlic chives.\u00a0 I grew these from seeds, as well.\u00a0 It has taken a few years for them to get enough size on them so I feel okay harvesting them!<\/p>\n Standard chives are below\u2013popping up like crazy.\u00a0 I will take some off the edges and pot them up for brother Tim\u2019s plant sale in the spring.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not really sure why hyacinths are my favorite spring bulb\u2013it must be the fragrance.\u00a0 These white beauties from the cold frame are more graceful than most of the giant hybrids\u2026and the scent doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n Our cheerful bulb\/primrose display.\u00a0 The pot needs to be washed, as rain has washed mud all the way up the sides!\u00a0 Such a Seattle problem.<\/p>\n Corylopsis is blooming.\u00a0 I struggle to get flowers of this shrub that do justice to its graceful, bright flowers.<\/p>\n Crocus, on the other hand, are almost impossible NOT to photograph well.\u00a0 The photography rule of avoiding sunny days doesn\u2019t always apply.\u00a0 For example, crocus just don\u2019t ever look this happy on a cloudy day.<\/p>\n I went a little crazy with the crocus pics, but can you blame me?\u00a0 They are infinitely graceful.<\/p>\n I love the deep golden hearts to the white crocus below.<\/p>\n And here again.<\/p>\n These are new for me and I\u2019m really pleased with them\u2013I\u2019ll get more to plant in the Doug fir bed and around this fall.\u00a0 Another advantage to crocus is the price\u2013so I can afford to be generous with them.<\/p>\n And last\u2026<\/p>\n I\u2019ve already photographed this iris reticulate hybrid, but can\u2019t resist a few more pictures in the sun.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve not had luck with these in the garden, so forcing them in pots has been my only way to enjoy success with them.\u00a0 I splurged last year and got some nice hybrids rather than the usual mix.\u00a0 The mixes often don\u2019t have the better cultivars\u2013I think they are tough to propagate and they command a high price.<\/p>\n More leftover forced hyacinths from last year.<\/p>\n Here is an inherited cymbidium blooming for the first time.\u00a0 I am not opposed to the cup shaped flowers, and the color and size are nice.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the flowers are spotted on the outside and that ruins the picture when the flowers don\u2019t open all the way!<\/p>\n The Masdevallias continue to shine, as well, so I took a few pictures in the bright light.<\/p>\n Superb form and garish color.<\/p>\n You can really see the intricate interior in this picture.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 I was stuck inside most of the day, but noticed there was significant frost on the grass when I ventured out to get the paper this morning. Sunny weather is a mixed blessing, as it seems ripe for garden photography, but the truth is that better pictures are typically had on overcast days.\u00a0 Still, … Continue reading Frosty morning, brilliant day<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>In the greenhouse, Mom\u2019s cymbidium is still blooming beautifully.\u00a0 The flowers lose some of their green and turn a buff-beige that is stunning.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n