Above is a close up of my Apple Blossom Clematis, an evergreen type that I planted as a 2 foot tall sprig two years ago. It has quickly grown to 6 feet tall and then over the fence, plus about 8 feet wide along the fence and has a delicate apple scent. The white flowers are the clematis, and the yellow flowers are Yellow Clock Vine. I ordered the clematis from a catalog, they are more rare than the clematis that lose their leaves, which I also have.
Above is my Red Star Magnolia, also about 2 years old. It was about seven feet tall when planted. I think red magnolias are found a little less often than white. Star Magnolias are noted to be smaller than other magnolias, and often reach only 12 to 15 feet tall so are a great size tree when you don't want it to dominate your garden, size wise. I am thinking perhaps this is NOT a star magnolia because of the flower shape. The trees I had planted by a landscaper had ID tags on them, and when I went out to write down the details, a worker had taken off the tags and thrown them out, which irked me!
Above is a handsome red camellia in bloom at my church. We have many of these growing there, maybe fifty. Maybe I will count them someday. I am having a landscaper plant 3 camellias in my back yard, in 3 half oak barrels. I don't know when yet, we have to choose a schedule. He is also going to create a 100 square foot flagstone patio in my front yard for a sitting area that faces west, a nice place to sit in the afternoon or evening, and has a view of the sunset.
Above is a bouquet of orange tulips I bought, they sing of spring to me.
Do you sometimes want to do something different, to add something to your activities?
I heard about a Book Discussion Group held in a city recreation center, all are welcome and it is for people age 45 plus. That is me! Sorry for those younger folks, maybe you could sneak in, ha ha.
I went for the first time this week and the next book we are reading is "Daughter of Fortune" by Isabelle Allende. I started reading it right away and like it thus far.
At each meeting we vote on the next book to read, and choose books available as book kits from the library, so we don't need to buy the books. Nineteen ladies and one man attended, and each person has about two minutes to say what they like or dislike about the book.
Earlier they read two books I love: "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett and "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion.
To answer two questions left in comments, we meet in a building owned by the city, not in people's homes, and no refreshments are served. Since the meeting was only for one hour, the time flew by.
Happy reading and gardening this spring to you all.
