Monday, April 7, 2014

Flowers In The House Of Spring: April 2014


True spring today. Sunshine, birds chirping, neighbors busily working in their yards, then taking a turn in my mine.

One mowed my lawn, another brought me pansies and as she proceeded to chop down a few of my perennials and shrubs, I planted the pansies.

You've heard of slow food? Today I practiced slow gardening. Dig with the left hand, carefully pat into place with the right. Pull a few weeds with the left, carefully smooth dirt back in place with the right. Bird by bird.

Elle bought the chairs out from the basement and basked in the sun.

Gus ran from yard to yard, chasing squirrels, climbing trees and hiding from strolling dogs who came by to visit.

In between visiting and watching people garden my homestead, I decorated the house.

A small collection of flowers from the yard. Hellebores, daffs and a few, help me out here, little orange what? I remembered, epimedium, that's what they are. It also took me a while to figure how to spell it. Whew.

 And this just in from California, a promise of May in Virginia: Yellow foxglove and tree peony, uber fragrant lilac, budding double pink cherry branches and a arching allium.



 Same theme, different colors: coral charm peony, pink foxglove, a wisp of Queen Annes lace, pink lisanthus and bells of Ireland.

 

And what was Lucy doing while we were bustling about in the house and garden?

Folding laundry.

How was your Sunday?

Pick any flowers?

We'd love to see.


21 comments:

  1. Ah! I always love seeing your arrangements - such exotic elements in each. I love that your neighbors helped you in your yard. Gotta' love great neighbors! We have a neighbor with a messed up car alarm that goes off EVERY morning around 5:00 a.m. for the past couple of weeks. Even on the weekends. ~sigh~

    It's good to see you back in the Flowers in the House saddle! Thanks for hosting!

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  2. Those two arrangements are to die for! so beautiful. Glad you were able to get a little dirt under the nails yesterday. Don't drown today! And, thanks for hosting. You're back! xoxo

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  3. We did have a great spring weekend, didn't we? You planted the pansies at just the right time. They are very happy right now soaking in the steady spring rain we are having. Doesn't Lucy know it's spring and that she should be out chasing squirrels (and digging up your garden)?

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  4. Those arrangements are so lyrical. Living art.

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  5. Love your flower pics. Soon I hope to be having flowers inside and out. "Flowers in the House" has been such a lovely way to brighten the winter. Thanks.

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  6. Such pretty bouquets Jane! Wish I could pop over to your flower shop and buy some!

    Happy week ahead!

    madelief x

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  7. Full disclosure .... I bought two pre-potted blooming dishes of ranunc's. Liked them so much, I bought a third. Moved the plants into my planters - not sure that counts as "growing" ranuncs! But they do seem to be making it, and have produced additional blooms.

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  8. Great neighbours! Love the peonies and foxgloves. I put some foxglove plants in the garden today, and some delphiniums. Have a good week! Abby x

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  9. Pretty, pretty, Jane! The foxgloves are on my MUST plant list this spring! The peonies are popping up outback and I am delighted! Maybe one or two blooms for the next FITH! "Slow gardening" seems just the thing for a lift to the spirit and a safe method for your continued recovery. Lucy just doesn't know what she is missing... but then a cat nap is a pretty enticing! Thanks for hosting... your flowers are just awesome, as usual! Smiles...Susan

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  10. Not "true Spring" yet here in lower elevation Colorado, 5,280 ft to be exact. But the promise is getting closer every warming day. I did get a spectacular birthday bouquet from fine local florist Diz's Daisys but it was overwhelming. So i divided it into 5, count 'em 5, smaller bouquets. I envy you Spring in the Tidewater! And i do miss our happy years in verdant, moderate Maryland. Be well, Ms Jane!
    Diane in Denver

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  11. I think I might have some spathiglottis(ground orchids) in flower...too bad my store-bought lilies finally croaked! I'll pop back later;we're just on our way to buy exciting things like curtain hooks and car batteries...

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  12. Beautiful flowers as always. Nothing's keeping your talent down. Happy Spring....finally! XOXO

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  13. Add me to the list of foxglove admirers. And the peonies! I can almost smell them. So far all I've got emerging in my garden are tiny onion shoots, a single spinach plant from last fall, and a few glimpses of green leaves here and there, but no bulbs peaking up yet. We're still trying to fend off winter here! Thanks for flowers! And hang in there -- sounds like slow gardening with a little help from your neighbors is just the thing.

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  14. Everything is lovely! My lilacs are in full bloom, but I just can't bring myself to cut them. I love walking outside and having the aroma wrap around me. It sounds like you have sweet neighbors. Have a beautiful week. Bonnie

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  15. Well, a heavy shower put paid to getting any orchids.But you've all seen them before.Let's face it, they are pretty much my bread-and-butter! But I had to get groceries this morning and there flowers in a bucket.Yellow lilies and some chrysanthemums and carnations. Definitely grown under glass as they have not even a hint of clove scent! Oh well, what can I really expect, living where I do! (Oops! what happened to Mr.Linky? I'll have another try and if that doesn't work I'll ask Jane to send Gus.Lucy's obviousl;y very busy with the laundry!

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  16. Lilac... sigh..... thought by some to be unlucky in the house, but who cares?

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  17. I'd love to join the flowers in the house but I've only just found you and am going away tomorrow for a week and don't want to pick anything - heavens, what a long sentence! Your flowers are gorgeous, love the bendy foxglove. I shall return with flowers in Ireland next week!

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  18. Sounds like the neighborhood activity center. I wish I had any of those blooming in my yard. They all look great. (I was settling on the last Monday of the month.)
    Ray

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  19. I'm so late to the party and all I have are some very faded ranunculus... Next time. I am so pleased to know you are slow gardening. Yes! Thanks for all the pretty.

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  20. Love seeing all these flowers :) Peonies are me FAVE-love that pale one above is amazing!

    Sunday we were at the dog beach.

    Planted the veggie garden today...and moonflowers and zinnias and cosmos and sunflowers. More things for the future FITH posts!

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  21. All looking so beautiful, Jane. I'll post my pickings tomorrow. Great help with the laundry!

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