It’s raining and overcast today.

The garden never looks better than with those conditions.

We’re still making up for lost time after that really great winter but there’s still plenty of action outdoors if you pay close attention.

Rain make pretty

It’s like our Lord and Savior dropped tiny diamonds from the high heavens and quietly muttered “Here John my son, taketh and enjoy my dude.”

Still counting my blessings

I was 50/50 on the Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ making a return and well, score one for the good guy. Now to figure out how to provide all it needs to thrive.

A last minute add to the garden in October, the Wild Geranium is back and well, “woot, woot.”

The Astilbes were fried by the end of the summer last year but that didn’t impact their returning this spring.

I know peonies are tough once established but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a quiet moment of gratitude.

You can stay … for now

I’ll take the color and the bees flocking to the dandelions at a time when there is little else for them to enjoy.

My OCD self feels differently but he’s properly suppressed for now.

Every plant tells a story

This is Viburnum plicatum ‘Shoshoni’. It was the first shrub I planted in my garden when we moved to our current home 14 years ago. A few years back I had to move it as it became too large and outgrew its location. I killed it in the process of transplanting it. I was devastated and there was a lot of self-tongue lashing that ensued.

Two years ago while weeding I dug up a small root from my front bed and realized it was the same Viburnum. I replanted it in a new location where it could grow uninterrupted for the rest of eternity.

I’m proud to say she is thriving and a bit of my past has been recovered.

Double the fun

This Allium bloomed beautifully last spring and guess what? A second flower has emerged to double my fun this spring. They do multiply, they really do.

Soon to flower

This is Trollius chinensis ‘Golden Queen’ showing buds while in a new location in the garden. I had threatened to move them for three years and finally took the plunge last fall. I can’t wait to compare the two locales to show you how this was the right move.