our small city garden

by Ragnar Naess
(Brooklyn NY USA)

We moved the birdhouse this spring to float above branches. In early sunlight it commands a sea of spring colors. We hope some day the right birds for this apartment house will find it.

The folly has its first tulips. The folly rises about 10 feet above the garden a the eastern end of a 'sun barge' designed to allow one area really long hours of sunshine.

Epimedium and Hosta have first encounter. We hope these little guys will get along under the Oakleaf hydrangea. Behind them a Keria has scattered its petals on dark earth. Our pink Belgian Block are our one concession to the marketplace offerings of stone.
Otherwise our stone is rescued from discarded bluestone sidewalks or underground from post holes.

Little blue stars protected by rock and bamboo. Pairing stones and plants brings the geology of Long Island terminal moraine to light with living things.

Taking pictures is almost a daily affair in our city garden.

Favourite Garden Colours

by Sharon Douglas
(Markdale, ON, Canada)

I like to put these colours with blue, that limey chartreuse and those reddish purple foliaged shrubs. Just started building the colour palette in this garden. It's protected, moist, well drained (as Doug likes to often stress:)) with lots of shade. I'm thinking ferns, hosta and Japanese maple. Any ideas out there?
(Already trying Lady's Mantle and Jacob's Ladder, Foxglove, Columbine, and a magnificent dark leaved Ligularia. Not sure they survived our dreadful winter though.)

Hydrangea zone 5 growing in the garage

by Betty Lloyd
(Miramichi Bay NB Canada)

This hydrangea will survive the winter outside but will never flower so i put it into the garage for the winter and water it once a month. It dies off but picks up quit into the spring. These flowers are small because the plant is not outside yet.

Beautiful white Begonia

by Judy Preston
(Gabriola Island, BC, Canada)

My friend was in the hospital fighting for her life and missing her wonderful garden. I went to the garden and took some pictures of the flowers to take to her. She survived and is now in good health.

Squirlie peeking out after thunderstorm

by Helen Cheryl.
(Boise, Idaho)

After a thunderstorm last Monday I went out to look at the magnificent sunset. Saw this little guy peeking out of the "Squirrel Condo" along the canal, So glad he had a place to hide from the hail and wind! And....YES! All my birdhouses have been "remodeled" by the neighborhood squirrels.

New & Old

by Marilyn
(Toronto)

I love to see how life sustains itself and Spring is a perfect opportunity. Here, a rotting log provides a cosy home for early spring vegetation.

Wisteria in Bloom

John has molded this wisteria into a beautiful blooming tree. The wisteria is also the home to many birds in the summer.

Yellow is for Spring

Every year I plant crocus bulbs, as its the provincial flower of Manitoba. Plus the idea of them coming up through the snow fascinates me. Some years they actually bloom. The other day as I walked checking out the flower beds I noticed them out of the corner of my eye. Of course I had to run and get my camera.

Purple Finch in Concert

by Gail A. Clowers
(Tacoma, WA USA)

The best singer in the Garden.

Pretty Peonies

by Chris Telfer
(Milton, Ontario, Canada)

This garden holds 5 peony plants that I received from various neighbours when I moved into my house in 1987.

There are 4 red ones and one taller white one. They have never had a change of soil or anything special done to them. The garden faces west and is in much shade save about 2 hours between 10.30 and 1pm.

As of late they have developed a mildew in late fall, which is no big deal as I clip off all but a few leaves and these beauties come back every year.

Finally!

by Sharon Douglas
(Markdale, ON, Canada)

This picture was taken only April 27 and just a few blooms have opened. In 2008 they were out full on the 20th. Back then they were naturalized in the lawn. I have planned to gradually put in a full and rather large garden here. My challenge is that in spring it is sunny but as summer arrives the elm tree (base in background gives more shade). Since I like hosta I will probably plant quite a few. Not sure what else yet. Bonus was that as I cleared the space I found thousands of bulbs that had been cut as lawn for thirty years. So curious for spring to advance to see what develops.

Long Legged Lovlies

by Sharon Douglas
(Markdale, ON, Canada)

Couldn't resist one more picture of these beauties. I think the quality of the pictures could be better - only had a phone cam then but it sure got a lot of use.

A Beautiful Spring Tree

by Marilyn
(Toronto)

I honestly can't remember what type of tree this is and, unless someone here can help, I'll have to wait until the leaves form before the mystery is solved.

However, I find the flowers are so pretty...I didn't mind admitting my forgetfulness in order to share this picture:)

Backyard after Thunderstorm

by Helen Cheryl.
(Boise, Idaho)

Last Monday we had a fierce thunderstorm roll through. After a couple of hours of rain, hail and lightening we were rewarded with a beautiful evening sunset and rainbow!

Spring Blossoms in the Midwest

by Carla Young
(Rhodes, Iowa USA)

This was just some blossoms that I thought looked really bright and pure in my mom's yard.

Rebirth of Spring in my Garden

by Deborah James
(Norwich,Ontario Canada)

I just love my garden even as small as it is it always gives me a sense of rebirth and a lift of spirits for the year ahead, after a long winter.

Same Flowers, Different Day

by Sharon Douglas
(Markdale, ON, Canada)

Two days later these tulips had matured a bit and looked entirely different from my last picture. They lasted quite a while.

Purple Finch in Concert

by Gail A. Clowers
(Tacoma, WA USA)

The best singer in the Garden.

Poppy Field

by Carla Young
(Rhodes, Iowa USA)

We moved into our home in the fall and were surprised by these beautiful poppies the next spring. They have come back every year for us to enjoy. We have no idea who originally planted them but we appreciate their thoughtfulness.

Forsythia

by Marilyn
(Toronto)

I know...everyone loves the bright yellow of forsythia as it heralds in Spring but I love the first hint of green that happens even before the yellow.

I'm in Zone 5 and this was taken April 22. Now (April 28) the bushes have turned their more colourful yellow.