GBBD: April '13

Scilla siberica

As the second little wave of blossoms arise in Nova Scotia, the earliest flowers are still hanging on.  Ahhh... the succession of growth and blossom has begun, and will carry on into every month of the rest of the year... I hope!

Puschkinia scilloides

Eranthis hyemalis

Galanthus nivalis

There's something lovely about the early blossoms coming up through last year's unkempt grass and leaves.

Puschkinia and Crocus

Hyachinthus

My first shrub to come into bloom is a hazelnut.  This bush was a seedling from a friend.  It was a 'normal,' straight-twigged plant, growing beneath it's corkscrew parent, Corylus avellana 'contorta.'

Male catkins just opening up

Female 'blossoms' just emerging

The wild Coltsfoot is thoroughly enjoying the moments of sunshine, blooming long before the leaves appear.  See the stringy petioles from last year?

Tussilago farfara

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day to you all.  Check out everything and everyone at May Dreams Gardens.

Marilyn In Memoriam

These tulips (and the rhubarb) came from the garden of a dear friend, a few years ago; someone who was to me a gardening friend and a spiritual friend.  This post celebrates her life.  I start with some springtime photos from 2006.  Lots of tulips, and other treasures.  Later there would be lots of lilies.

This is a glimpse of Marilyn's garden.  Some wonderful things grow on her property.  She blessed the front and side yard with flowers, her husband had the back yard full of vegetables, and their upstairs renter had big beds of dahlias along the street.  It has always been a great yard to visit, any time of year.

 

Marilyn shared her garden, as she shared everything in her life.  Visitors wandered through it, enjoying something new, digging something up, or bemoaning the constant war against goutweed, or lily beetles!  She was, of course, a devoted garden club member.   

Touring a Day Lily garden

Entertaining at a Christmas Party

A volunteer in many arenas, Marilyn enjoyed worthwhile work, creating fun times, and  contributing to community.  Always ready with a creative idea, always ready to try something new, always ready with a costume, she helped others live life to the fullest, and have great fun.  

"Mother Nature" at a Garden Club Halloween party

Marilyn bringing out the treats at a festive Garden Club party

In my local spiritual community, she was a big contributor.  From decorating the worship space with fresh blossoms to serving tea, from sharing wisdom as a deacon to thinking deeply as a finance committee member, from serving meals for hungry people to raising funds for good causes, this friend 'cultivated' many good things. We likely all need more people around us like Marilyn: positive and energetic, realistic and sensible, intelligent and hilarious, beautiful of spirit and deeply appreciative of others.  

Church decorating committee amid their accomplishments

Servers at a fancy Tea

 

Marilyn White died last week, after a twelve week stay in hospital.  Even in that palliative care time she made the most of every day.  Her own room became a house of hospitality, with artwork, flowers, food, singing, card games, and lots of other joys.

May the tulips of this springtime, and every year, remind all who have known Marilyn, or someone like her, of such dear ones who blossomed and flourished, and inspired us all to do the same.  

Ist Planting in the Veggie Garden

Yesterday was a lovely day here - 10 degrees C at least, and sunny.  Saw and heard the first red-winged blackbirds in the neighourhood.  So it was time to start planting in the vegetable plot.  The ground had dried out nicely over the past few days.

Planting Garlic: better late than never.  Got these cloves in the fall from some friends.  Did not get them planted, obviously.  They have been delicious! Don't know the variety.  Don't know if this is soft-necked or hard-necked.  It certainly kept well in a paper bag on the kitchen counter.  It's barely sprouting now.

Here's hoping for a nice harvest in the early fall. 

And I can't resist a crocus shot ...again.  No bee in this photo, but the honey bees are out and about.  And ants.  From here on in, spring will be developing by leaps and bounds!