Mimosa in my backyard

Last month, Mike and I went to Luray, VA to the Stone Manor cabin on the Shenandoah River. On the way home, I noticed several mimosa in bloom. Mine had never bloomed even though it has been growing for years in the back yard. I transplanted it when it was about six inches tall and waited and waited for it to grow. I actually had two but Mike mowed one down not knowing it was a tree, or at least was going to be a tree. The deer managed to prune it several times and I was so happy when it got tall enough to be out of their reach. Anyway, I went to Google to see if anyone knew why a mimosa would not bloom. For the most part, folks said it was because they were too young. Well, mine isn’t really young now so I was wondering if it would ever bloom. This week, while out in the back yard just watching the bees on the milkweed I glanced up and was amazed to see my mimosa blooming. What a joy! I am delighted and had to share some pictures. Mike said he had already seen the blooms when he was cutting the grass but neglected to mention it to me. Guess he figured I already knew. Wow! I am so happy! The bees are happy for the milkweed and I hope the hummingbirds like the mimosa as much as I.

 

Last day of April 2015

I spent most of the day weeding and clearing out some the jumble just outside the front door. I wanted to take a picture of a tree I grew from seed collected at the Norfolk Botanical Garden twenty-five or thirty years ago. I am so happy I kept this one. I did initially have two, but lost one when they were small. I am sharing pictures of the tree and a couple of the flowers close up.

Tim’s handiwork saves the day!

I have wanted and needed something to hold onto when entering the house for a long, long time. I hated to ask Tim to make me something as I know he is always busy doing other stuff and they live  quite a way down the road from us. However, a couple of weeks ago, I did ask him if he could make me a hand railing for the front steps. Well, he installed it today and I love, love it! I had to share.  Every time I look out the door and see it there I have to smile. Thanks Son! You don’t know how much I appreciate this.

 

Spring Again and here I go, dreaming my dreams

April 3, 2015- I walked in my yard today and took a few pictures. Some are things that are blooming, some up and growing, some just barely emerging. In my mind, I can already see them, growing and thriving. How I wish my reality was closer to my dreams.

I so love to see “old friends” to greet me! I didn’t post all the pictures I took, lots of them look like a gardener’s trash pile, but they may contain surprises once the earth warms a bit more and the sun works it’s magic calling the plants awake and telling them “It’s time”. I already see things that have returned in pots that need their own spot prepared to receive them. Always lots of pots to move and sort, trimming back the old stalks and clearing the brush and leaves off the beds. I know I have to continue to downsize, but have to decide who can survive without my continued attention. Mike tells me he saw two white-tails in Marie’s yard this morning. Drat! I wish they didn’t like my stuff so much. Time to spray. It’s rainy and warm, but it sure feels good to me.