Gettin' my bloom on

I took these pictures before our trip. I plan to take a stroll through the garden again to see what's new. A lot happens pretty quickly here in the spring. I have some blooms I haven't seen in years. If you blink, you miss them. 

It's raining today and you know what they say about April showers. I love this time of year. Everything is so green. That doesn't last long. We still manage to keep our lawn partially green during the heat of summer due to our sprinkler system and the huge water bills to go with it. 

 I always look forward to the "creeping phlox." It provides such a cheery sight from the kitchen window.

'Hellebores'---lenten rose---is one of my first bloomers. I love their droopy nature.

I have white 'dicentra'---bleeding hearts in my white garden. This is a shady area, so white flowers really brighten up the space.

And, of course, I have to have the pink ones in the shade garden.

The hostas are popping up in front of the Virginia blue bells.

I don't remember the name of this fern amidst the bluebells.

This isn't even all the "babies" I have. I'm tellin' ya'---you need to come get some. They are beautiful.

The ostrich ferns spread a lot, but they are also easy to control. Either pull out the babies or give them away. I'd rather give them away.

The pond definitely needs cleaning, but I'm happy to see that our fish have survived. These are just a few of them. I hope the herons don't spot them again this year. We've had problems for the last two years, but never the 16 years before. I hope that doesn't mean they have memories. Our fish are about 3 inches long now. The grow about an inch a year.

When I get a chance to take another walk through the yard, I'll send an update. I know the lilacs are in bloom.