After an overcast morning the sun pushed temperatures to 72° F. today. Strong, blustery winds this afternoon caused plants to sway, chairs to topple, and there was a noticeable chill to the air.
The garden is coming into its own now. It happened suddenly. The weeding is done, but before all the planned rearranging and assessment could take place, the perennial beds bordering the property starting greening and filling out. The succession of blooms is on its way.
This is the view today from the southern gate entrance looking west.
Southern Border Facing West
Here is the northern border facing west on Sunday. Barely visible just left and behind the dogwood is a new Arizona Cypress ‘Carolina Sapphire’ to replace the one lost last year. Zinnias, gladioli and cleome will fill in the space against the fence this summer.
Northern Border Facing West
Also on Sunday, this is view is looking from northeast to southwest across the meditation circle. In the center of the labyrinth, the white blooms of Iberis Sempervirens (Candytuft) lasted four months from early December. Now they need to be sheared back.
Garden View From Northeast Corner
As one walks around the garden it is nice to take a closer look a the changes underway. A single bloom opened today on the Iceberg rose.
Iceberg Rose
Ants parade on a ‘Pink Parfait’ peony that was added last year to the garden.
Peony Paeonia 'Pink Parfait'
Amid a green backdrop the burgundy-purple tinge of this iris bud stands out in the southern border.
Iris in Southern Border
A dark pink outlines the leaves and the flower tip of this Veronica spicata ‘Pink Goblin’ (Speedwell).
Veronica spicata 'Pink Goblin' (Speedwell)
Deep blue petals of the spiderwort unfurl in the morning for just one day. In the background are dark burgundy leaves of Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura).
Gaura lindheimeri 'Passionate Blush' (Butterfly Gaura), Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
This batik iris is irresistible.
Batik Iris
Flowers are forming on several baptisias in the garden. This is Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke,’ which was discovered at the nearby North Carolina Botanical Garden by former curator Rob Gardner. Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ was introduced in 1996 by Niche Gardens and North Carolina Botanical Garden. This specimen was purchased about three years ago at Niche Garden after one of their Saturday morning tours.
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'
Another rosy-tinged flower, Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena), is framed in front of a stand of Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine).
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
pbmGarden 
You must have such a long gardening season with all these blooms already! Lovely!
Cathy, your comment got me wondering, so I looked back at some photos from last year. There was something blooming in every month last year, partly because it was just a mild winter, but I’m also trying to add some plants that can extend the garden’s bloom time. The weather was up into the 80’s F. in March but there is a freeze warning for tonight. It’s hard to know what normal is anymore. Thanks for visiting my blog today.
I’m still marvelling at how early your Irises are. As Cathy above, I’m imagining a very long season or does it become too late in summer and everything hibernate. Christina
Hi Christina. I’m marvelling too as the irises are about ten days earlier than last year. It was exceptionally warm this winter. The average temperature in March in my area of NC is usually 50.5 degrees F. but this year we averaged 60.4 degrees. I usually hibernate by July-August since it is usually too hot and humid for me to do much gardening. Normally I don’t water anything except for a few new plants, and many things in my garden dry up and turn brown until it gets cooler. So glad you stopped by.
Awesome blooms so far! Even with our about a month oahead of schedule we’re still way behind you! Ah, to be in a southern state, sigh!
Thanks very much. Hope it warms up for you soon!
Such stars in your garden.
Thanks. They feel like old friends returning.
you are doing nice work with your photos.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. I keep trying to improve.
Everything looks lush and lovely, but I love especially the structure containing it all – beautiful design!
Thanks so much!
You have a beautiful variety of plants….the iceberg rose is so pretty!
Elaine
Thank you Elaine! I like that rose too. It’s a special one that belonged to a dear friend.