First Iris Of Spring

This is the first Iris of this spring in my garden....a beautiful gold, fragrant one..I noticed  buds showing on some of the other  Iris plants too..It is always interesting to me to see how many bloom....A couple of years ago my family helped me put in a raised flower bed  and we moved most of the Iris and Peonies to that new bed..They are gradually  getting used to it so should have more blooms this year...The daffodils outdid themselves this spring so are at home in that bed now....

Odee Wright Rhododendron

Odee Wright, this yellow Rhododendron, is the first one of my rhodies to bloom in the spring...in fact it is in full bloom right now..  It is a pale yellow with a light pink tinge around the edges so is very pretty.. Many people overlook this  as it isn't as showy as one like  Jean Marie the beautiful red  favorite of mine, but it is pretty in  your garden setting.. ...Now, while rhodies and azaleas are coming into bloom is  the best time to look at them  with the thought of adding them to your garden....Flowers are a part of nature's music.. Have a good day............Photo by  Kari Scott..

Magnolia Soulangeana

 It is spring again  and the Magnolias are in bloom.  I am glad that  both the Soulangeana and Stellata   are hardy enough to live and do well  in our part of the world..I look forward to their blooms each spring....The picture above shows Soulangeana with Stellata in the background....Both pictures to the left are Soulangeana  up closer....Both Magnolias should be planted with plenty of room around them so they can grow and spread at will. The blooms on both come out  before the leaves do ...Then towards fall the big seedpods on Soulangeana  come on..with  bright red  seeds...Try planting some when your plant is big enough to produce seeds....  Stellata is also called  Star Magnolia...
Photos by  Kari Scott

Ruth Alexander Rose

This a picture of the old, old rose, Ruth Alexander..The bud is always so pretty..The rose is pretty too but opens up to a single  rose that does not last more than a couple of days..So I enjoy it while I can..There are so many roses, old and new  that you need to  visit rose gardens or friends' gardens while the roses are blooming to try to choose roses for your garden.  Ruth rose is a bit more golden orange than this picture seems to show..It has a very nice scent..... ....Picture by Kari Scott..