Come into the garden. . . . . . . .

pril:  late afternoon in a North Carolina garden. . . . . . . . . .

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were

 voices instead of colors, there would be an

 unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. 

~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke~

The leaves reach out like bright green hands and already tiny figs are
 appearing on the Celeste fig - the main harvest will come in the heat of late Summer.

Afternoon shadows are cast across the garden - this view below is looking
westward - the setting sun is sometimes just visible through the trees. 
It is now so green everywhere, almost hurts your eyes - photos definitely 
don't require any color tweaks!

Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.

~ Virgil A. Kraft ~

The arbor needs painting - the entire cottage actually - all will have to wait

 until Autumn because I haven't the heart to cut back shrubs and 

 vining jasmines both here on the arbor and climbing the front porch.

We had a little work done this past week. The gazebo needed a few new screws,

 the deck steps some new wood, and if you look to the mid-left in the above photo,

 the new low stone wall will hopefully divert water runoff from the sloping land

 behind us. This is becoming a problem in heavy rain storms as our grass and topsoil 

are being eroded and the water pools around the gazebo and under the deck.

Always something requiring attention it seems.

Variegated Solomon's Seal already blooming - I love this perennial.

Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' - the bright green Japanese maple. 

Purchased several years ago, it was a very small version in its little pot.

These are expensive trees! No idea it would do this well, although I have given

it a lot of TLC over the years. I've lightly pruned it a couple of times but think

it will require more work come late Autumn when the leaves have fallen and

 the central wood can be seen more easily. Overcrowding there can cause poor

air circulation making the tree prone to fungal diseases. Pruning these trees 

is almost like an art - many rules to follow in order to keep it healthy, shapely,

and looking beautiful.

Visitors are nesting in the birdhouse.

The White-Breasted Nuthatch family now includes squeaking babies. 

(Click below for more on this cute bird)

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2016/03/after-rain-comes-spring.html

The mom and dad, sitting on the roof or a nearby fence, squawk at me if I get close.

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would

 always greet it in a garden.

 ~Ruth Stout~

I have to agree, I feel exactly the same way!

Just wish I still had the stamina and strong back to spend an entire day

 working in the garden - these days it's a little at a time.
Speaking of which, we are heading out in our gardening gear this morning.
After picking up supplies such as mulch, a few plants, and packets of seeds
yesterday, there is work to be done. Most of the pollen is over hopefully so
 lots of washing down of outdoor furniture, cushions also.

I must away - hope your weekend is wonderful.