Into the Secret Garden for a Little Spring Tour

It was such a beautiful day in the garden today.

I was compelled to take bunches of photos to share with you.

I started out with a cup a tea and a little reading in the early cool breeze.

Then I decided to do a little light rose pruning.

The morning garden is not to be missed.

The light comes over the mountain at such a spectacular angle, streaming fairy magic into the garden.

My little sidekick (Theodore Laurence, aka Teddy) has learned the ropes so quickly.

He LOVES the garden, and water!

He takes an interest in everything I am up to and is a major cuddler.

He still likes to make the scary face and wrestle, but muuuuch less than before.

He's about 70lbs. at 5 months old.

He's turning into a gentle giant, and he is much like Miles in so many ways.

Although, I didn't adopt him to be just like Miles - 

But there are moments where I feel Miles' light through Teddy, and I am blown over with tears of love.

Of course, he is different as well, his own wonderful unique self.

He is a joy to my heart and has brought so much life and laughter into our homes.

Matty is always with us as well, but he likes to just observe from the shade and nap with his nose in the air.

He is 12 years old, so his priorities are very different.

Alas, I digress, let us continue our stroll through the garden together –

Shall we?

This year I did not plant seeds, I did however allow all of last year's flowers go to seed, dropping seed all around at the end of that season.

They have blown me away, so much Queen Anne's Lace and so many poppy volunteers.

I am tickled to pieces!

These are photos from today, although every day there are more and more flowers.

3 years ago, I started a Pierre de Ronsard climbing rose from a cutting.

(also known as Eden climbing rose)

And this year it is doing so well, filled with those light green and pink cupped roses, making its way over the arbor.

I have so much verbena in my gardens at both houses.

As many of you know, I dug up a little piece at the local river about 21 years ago, and it has exploded everywhere over the years.

We have endless carpets of purple flowering wild verbena, and the dogs LOVE to lay in it.

Teddy has two favorite spots in this garden, and one is right here.

On a bed of verbena, under the red, peach and candy pink poppies.

Teddy knows how to choose a spot.

And he has made his own little paths through the wildflowers.

I'll never get over poppies.

They absolutely have my heart.

Are you a poppy fan?

The way the light filters through their tissue paper petals is more than sublime.

Speaking of light, look at the light coming through some of the drooping Pierre de Ronsard Roses and Cape Mallow this morning.

(a few Sweet Williams at the bottom of the photo as well)

It's that light that casts its dreamscape, that makes me want to skip out of bed in the morning and run into the garden.

And boy do I ever.

Spring is too good here, in the land of sun.

It begins early and ends mid May I'd say.

Then it gets super hot.

But for now…

The bees are happy.

The garden thinks it is living its fairy tale dreams.

And I am just lucky to be along for the ride.

Thankful thankful thankful hearted.

So happy to be in this secret garden.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, and ask, to what do I owe such petal magic?

I spent soooo many years losing plants at the country house to gophers and rabbits.

It was a nightmare, so this almost seems too good to be true.

Knock on wood!

I let my gardens be slightly unruly, like me 🙂

This is definitely Teddy's garden.

He loves it so much, and I am happy to grow it just for him and the birds and bees and butterflies.

Yesterday I saw a single monarch laying eggs on the milkweed.

Did I ever swooooon!

I stroll through the garden paths, admiring every little blossom, every little flower.

The light, the breeze…

Coreopsis, garden gates…

A seat, simply to sit and enjoy the moment.

Whilst Mother Nature bestows her magic upon us.

The unfurling of tissue paper petals…

A Kiss me Kate rose growing to the left of the second arbor…

A bevy of chicken wire cloches to protect little young vegetables from the birds.

A symphony of Shirlies!

And one of my very very favorites, Cleveland Sage.

It smells like a lemony lavender and makes the most curiously delightful flowers.

We are lucky for all the native mesquite and acacia trees, leafing out and making the desert so green.

Verbena mixes with dark cherry colored Sweet William.

I welcome all colors of flowers in my garden.

I am glad for whoever wants to turn up.

Two years ago I planted many foxglove seeds, and am so overjoyed to see them flowering this year.

(Biennials take a year to grow and then flower in the second year)

Roses, foxgloves, poppies, assorted wildflowers and Teddy.

I love old fashioned flowers, don't' you?

And so, here is where you will find me…

In the early morning and at golden hour.

Tending my flowers, giving them some water…

Gasping in appreciation!

Watching that afternoon golden light cast its own kind of magic as well.

In a sea of volunteers!

I happy sigh, then take my basket and go out of the secret garden, through the gate, and down the stairs back into the formal garden.

Teddy jumps up in sheer delight, catching rose petals.

Everything is a game to a puppy.

I sip my tea and enjoy the moment.

Trying to absorb this lovely time.

Another spring, my pups, the birdsong.

It's ridiculously enjoyable.

There is no where in the world I would rather be.

No place at all, than with my dogs and the birds and bees.

Watching spring take over the land.

I hope you enjoyed all those photos.

It took me about 12 hours to put that together and make sense of my photos.

I take too many photos, and then I can not choose, haha!

I've been listening to the most delightful music whilst typing.

I'll put the video into this post in the ps section.

I think I should make pancakes today.

I have a huge pumpkin that absolutely needs to be processed from autumn.

I should roast it today.

Pumpkin treats are always a welcome flavor around here.

I roast the pumpkin, then puree and freeze it.

Then you can use it at any time.

The lemons are never-ending, I want to begin to make Limoncello today.

I juice many of them and put the juice in ice cube trays with lids into the freezer.

That way I always have fresh lemon juice when I need it as well.

Alas, I must be off to do my Cinderella chores.

I hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods!

Lots of love and best wishes, from our little secret garden to you!

Love, 

Vanessa

 

 

ps: Here is that lovely music I'm listening to.

 

 

Hope you have a lovely day!

xoxo