Refreshment

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."

                                                        Jane Austen

Tulips

One of my favorite bulbs is the tulip. I prefer the classic dutch flower like the one pictured here. Pink being the ultimate in beauty, at least for me. I usually plant new ones every year because they just don't look as nice the year after. When I've left mine for another year they always ended up being a bit smaller and not all bloomed again. I find it fun to get different colors and varieties each year anyway, because each spring I get to enjoy a new garden!

The Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
   That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
   A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
   And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
   Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
   Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay,
   In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
   In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
   Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Hosta

The hosta is a wonderful plant that looks great in the garden. There are many varieties and shades of green to brighten up the shady areas. I posted a few of my favorites here. They do best in shade and even have some flowers that bloom in June/July. They  are pretty much care free other than watering and even then I don't worry to much if a miss a day or two. This is one plant I will be planting more of in the future. :)

"Wedgwood"

"Patriot"

"June"

"Blue Shadow"

Lilac Trees

I love to bring my flowers into the house. I find though that some are just to fragrant and give me a headache, but lilacs are the perfect cut flower. The sweet smell is not to harsh and still fills a room without over powering it. I don't have a lilac tree were I live now, but in our last home I had a beautiful large one in our backyard. I couldn't wait till spring every year to bring some into the house. I miss those lovely blooms!