Hot Pink Blooms All Over

It is the time of the year when it seems like the whole garden is turning fuchsia. Besides all the Azaleas blooming now, much of what I plant for butterflies at this time is some shade of pink.

Sweet William Dianthus, spicily fragrant.

Hot Pink Pentas and Bath's Pinks.

Poppies are short-lived, new Pentas planted below

them for the delight of butterflies will bloom

all summer and be joined by Muhly Grass in fall.

Laura Bush petunias, below are Rose Campion

in the same bed.

I planted out Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon citratus

today. Divided it into 7 pieces. Every time I planted

a piece, I had to throw a dog toy 9 times to keep

Buffy from eating it. She and the cat both like it. so

we had this big pot of it in the greenhouse all winter.

Spring Brings Frequent Changes

We're nearing the end of camellia season. As camellias end their season, azaleas are opening. I saw two dark swallowtail butterflies this morning. They appear as the azaleas open.

A few years ago, I noticed the absence of good nectar sources for butterflies when the azaleas finish blooming and before the spring annuals open. Dianthus species fill this gap.

Bath's pinks are almost ready to open.

I planted more today, rooted cuttings that are also ready to bloom.

Redbud tree, buzzing with bees.

Boxwoods are all bright green and blousy with

new growth needing pruning.

Fallen blossoms and petals carpet the ground

under the camellias.

What's next in your garden, now that spring is here?