After the storm. . . . . .the garden this week -

We arrived home from a weekend out of town and found the garden

sparkling with color. That night terrible storms passed 

through the area and I feared waking to azaleas and such beaten down,

their lovely blooms blown away or scattered across the ground in the wake 

of the high winds and several hours of torrential rain.

Monday was clean up day, mostly small branches, twigs and debris from

where the water had swirled through the garden. Flowers looked somewhat

 battered but not broken and by yesterday, with brilliant sunshine and a Spring

 breeze, everything perked up and we enjoyed afternoon coffee on the front porch

 with a friend who was kind enough to say how lovely the garden was looking.

George Taber - my favorite azaleas.

Spanish bluebells beneath the fig tree.

Bluebells and Solomon's Seal.

Hickory tree catkins awaiting wind pollination.

Hoping lovely plants are beginning to bloom in your Spring garden.

The Saturday garden. . . . . . . . .

I started early as showers were forecast - but they haven't arrived yet! 
It's already mid-afternoon and sunshine is plentiful.
A little garden work encompassing trimming, pruning, deadheading.
I can't do what I used to in the garden, and sadly my now 20+ years 
old garden is really in need of some professional help.
Meanwhile, Bob mows, trims and blows, and although I say
it myself, we do have the most lush front lawn on the street. 

Back garden. A fairly quiet respite filled with bird songs. . . . . and these 

days with pollen.

My favorite azalea  - George L. Taber

Honeysuckle on the back fence seems early this year

Wisteria leafing out and climbing over the arbor - I bet I'll miss
the blooms whilst away!

Perky variegated Solomon's Seal

All images from today's garden here in North Carolina.
I'll post soon on where we're headed next week.