We're "in bloom" down south!

One outdoor day was missed due to rain and being busy with other things, but yesterday I was out "beating the bounds" and overwhelmed by the early blooming garden. Our mild winter with no snow or damaging ice storms means the garden is ahead of schedule. I was really surprised when I rounded the house to the side gate arbor to find the 'trumpet vine' covered in blooms!  I had cut this busy clambering member of the crossvine family Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty'  down to the ground just before Christmas!  We always wind outdoor lights around the structure and many were no longer working. To remove the old ones and add replacements I needed to get the vine off!  

On looking up this vine online I was shocked to see the price of a rather small one gallon potted one is $50.00 - however I do know it will never die or stop growing so one wouldn't be throwing money away. Mine was planted about 20 years ago, when the arbor was constructed. It has been cut back constantly as it has a propensity to travel. . . . . . . .all over the garden, even up the house which I don't want so I cut off those babies when I see them heading that way.

 

Tangerine Beauty Crossvine

"A colorful staple for trellises, archways, fences and arbors, the Tangerine Beauty Crossvine boasts showy, bright orange-yellow flowers that last from spring through fall. Plus, it’s more low-maintenance than other vine varieties, clinging easily to whatever area you choose in your landscape with blankets of green foliage and bright blooms. It’s vigorous, strong and fast-growing."

"The Tangerine Beauty thrives wherever it’s located, even on the ground – especially since it’s highly resistant to serious insect and disease problems. Its adaptability is second to none, this semi-evergreen vine tolerates heavy shade, poor soils and cold winters."

Bags of mulch awaiting and calling to us!

Spanish bluebells opening, no leaves appear to have been nibbled

 by the deer population this year, however.................

..........guess who arrived in the back garden last evening, a grey fox!

Some of you will recall we had foxes with litters of five in our garden

 for several years. Being this is the time (March/April) for birthing I'm

 hoping this was a mom perhaps looking for a home, and we may see

 her family soon. Favorite places for hiding the babies previously were

 under the potting shed and once under the gazebo, both easy to

 view from our kitchen and living room windows. 

Early blooming azaleas - many more to come and perhaps opening

 over the weekend with some light rain in the forecast.

I will share them later.

Last but not least, my favorite hosta popped through this week and

 is growing fast and unfurling those beautiful leaves. I'm hoping the

 deer, or other hungry nibblers, don't discover it!

Have a great weekend. . . . . . north, south, east or west!