Thursday 8 April 2010

What a beautiful day......

Working in the garden today was indeed a pleasure. Temperatures reached 16C (63F), one of the warmest days so far this year.
I cleared some of the winter debris from the woodland walk. This is a favourite area of mine. When I planted the trees, shrubs, bulbs etc eight years ago, I had a vision and I must say it is the only part of the garden that has turned out exactly as I wanted.

I wanted something natural.......delicate........and a place that reminded me of my childhood. I spent a lot of time as a little girl walking woodland with my parents. I have many beautiful memories and this little spot in my garden transports me back to the days that I cherish.


Maple leaves are opening ......they add colour and texture.
Daffodils are in abundance......
Don't ask me the name......a bag full of bulbs, planted on the spur of the moment when we first moved here. She is pretty, isn't she?
I love the softer colours........there is something so timeless about them.
I was uncertain about the pink trumpet, but she is growing on me, I am learning to love her.
But this is my absolute favourite......each time I look at this bloom, I am stilled.

Fritillary dot the area. They do not last long, as soon as the rabbits spy them they will disappear........they are but fleeting.......

Lords and Ladies are in abundance this year. I choose to leave them, I love the flower spike that appears in April/May and then the stand of beautiful red berries in the autumn.

Ramsons are in leaf.....another favourite wildflower. I am hoping this will increase each year and carpet small areas.

Despite rabbit damage, hellebores are blooming.

Each step I take, I notice the changes.

This bud should burst in the next few days.

As I started to clear my tools I noticed the torn and tattered peacock butterfly. She survived the long and cold winter.

Isn't she just beautiful......I am glad she found shelter in the garden.






28 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Thank you for sharing this with us - feel as if I have just strolled through your little woodland with you. Lovely!

Jane

Cheryl said...

Glad you enjoyed it Jane.....

Gigibird said...

What a lovely set of photos from your day....To think that butterfly survived the awful winter is a miracle....isn't nature great.

FAB said...

Hi Cheryl. I just sat outside for a while late today and soaked up the awakening of new life...very soothing. Thanks for sharing your garden wonders. FAB.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
You transported me to another time and place this afternoon. Thank you. I felt as if we were walking together, I could hear your voice. The Daffodiles are lovely indeed. Such a joy to see Miss Peacock....it is a delight to be in the gardens as life awakens.
Your Woodland walk is so very beautiful. Ahhh....Many bees and butterflies now will grace your Spring days.
Sherry

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl,

Lovely, I wish I was sat at home enjoying the weather today...

With such wonderful flowers and wildlife, I don't see how anyone can possibly not have a smile on their face after a stroll around the garden.

Amy said...

Cheryl, I agree with Sherry - thanks for taking us with you! Your photos are absolutely exquisite - everything just looks new, and, more importantly, reborn. The butterfly exudes fortitude with delicacy. I've always been particularly fond of white daffodils too, actually most flowers in white really appeal.

My garden is intended to be "wild" too and we must share that "legacy" of walking the wilds with our elders.

What is that (I think it's a) cedar pray tell?

Pat said...

Nice relaxing tour, thanks.
Someday I'll have a garden area just like I planned.
Good temps for for gardening. We've been having temps in the 80's ...can't handle that.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

no matter what shape the butterfly is in it is beautiful. Your daffs are so sweet. I never remember the names of mine either. I don't think that it is necessary to remember their names. They don't care as long as they can spread their beauty around. They do it so well.

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Such gorgeous blooms! That must be a really delightful woodland walk you have. Our daffodils are all bloomed out now and I do miss them!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

It was so beautiful here today too, Cheryl. It was one of those picture perfect days. Although I had much to do inside, I found myself finding excuses to go out and enjoy the day.

The white daff is just lovely. I adore white blooms, and it just seems to glow from within.

Oh, the Peacock Butterfly is amazing! Poor thing must be tired from her long winter. I am so glad she found a safe haven in your garden. May she gift you with many baby caterpillars! :-)

Kay Baughman said...

Your butterflies and flowers are exquisite! I feel as if I walked around your garden slowly on a beautiful day. I'm so glad I found your blog!
Kay

Cheryl said...

Gigibird.....butterflies always amaze me. They look so very fragile, and yet they come through an exceptionally cold winter......

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....tku. Some days are just that extra bit special.....today was one of those days.

Cheryl said...

Hi Amy....I was priviledge to walk the natural world with my parents, grandparents and great grandmother. I learned a lot, and shall carry the memories with me.......I was very fortunate that we never focused on materialism.

The cedar....leave it with me....I have forgotten ....an age thing. lol

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....I could not agree more. To be honest I don't really care what anything is called, I just love being able to enjoy it, along with the bird bees and butterflies.

Cheryl said...

Hi Morning Glories...white are my favourite blooms also.

Butterflies are so fragile.....and yet they survive the harshness of the winter. Perhaps there is a lesson in there somewhere......I have plenty of stinging nettles for the butterfly to lay her eggs. Not the prettiest of plants but essential to our native butterflies.....

Roses and Lilacs said...

Butterflies already, he must be a tough little fellow. Our temperatures are up and down, very frustrating. We had a very hard freeze last night which will set everything back.
Marnie

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie.....up, down temperatures are so frustrating....lets hope things settle for you soon.

NCmountainwoman said...

I just love coming to your garden. I get so much pleasure from it. Have a great weekend.

Rose said...

Your daffodils are so exquisite, Cheryl! You always manage to capture such beautiful close-ups of all your blooms. I'm amazed the butterfly lasted through the winter--I hope she's okay.

Spring has definitely arrived here, too; despite a light frost this morning the day has been warm enough to be outside. I'm just having problems finding enough time to do everything I want to get done.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose....tku re photographs. It is just a case of getting the light right. I always look through the lens from several angles and choose the best.......

I am having trouble fitting everything in Rose. There is such a lot to do at this time of year in the garden plus all the 'other stuff' we cram into our already busy lives. It will all be fine, it always is......

beckie said...

Cheryl, it is always so peacefull coming here. I so enjoy the 'walks' with you through your gardens.

Spring is a lovely time of the year and such fun to see all the new growth and anticipate the coming blooms.

Thanks for sharing your delightful daffodils and that gorgeous butterfly. Have a great weekend. :)

Meems said...

Dear Cheryl,
So happy for you that you had a beautiful day with warmer temperatures. It is so nice to get out and about on a pretty day. It looks like your garden is waking up one tiny life at a time. So many pretty colors and blooms already. So nice of you to share your memories and the woodland walk. I can imagine myself walking it with you ... so much beauty to see and feel. Lovely.

Meems

Cheryl said...

Tku Beckie.....it is a most wonderful time of year. New growth, young and fresh.....I look forward to walking the garden each day to see what has opened.

Have a good weekend.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Meems....tku. It must be wonderful to garden in temperatures that are warm and sunny most of the time. I do envy you that.....

Libby said...

How lovely to have the space to plant a woodland walk!
It has been lovely recently so much better than the long grey days of winter!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

The tiny red pinecones are a favorite of mine. I love emerging pinecones of all size, but the little ones are esp. sweet.