Monday, May 3, 2010

if wishes were gardens....

~Tasha's spring gardens~
~~
"May I a small house and large garden have; and a few friends,
and many good books, both true, both wise, and both delightful too!
~~
from "the Wish"
~ Abraham Cowley~
17 th century English poet
~~~
delightful May has arrived and yet she has not graced us with
her much anticipated gift of fragrant lilacs.
No budded peony or heady scented bridal veil spirea that for many years has arched
over the brick paths on sweet May evenings.
My favorite mock orange that climbs and kisses the chimney bricks and porch railings...
has just a few timid leaves peeking out here and there.
The seedlings in the greenhouse have sprouted sturdy and green,
looking through the glass out at
barren and windy garden plots...they seem to snuggle down into the warm
earth of their pots and trays, waiting for warmer days that surely must come...
but when ?
my gentleman farmer always says "patience, my love"....
Potted heirloom lavenders, rose and lemon scented geranium, citrus scented thyme,
all wait in sunny windows for late spring days when they'll be planted down
in the old rail fenced garden.
There are lupines, poppies, wildflowers and herbs of every kind
All waiting for spring to forget her fickle ways
and grace us with warm soft
days and gentle evenings.
~
I hope that this finds you having real spring outside your door way.
love to you all,
Christine
I have not forgotten that I promised to share my new old rail fence with you.
Soon as all the crab apples are in full bloom!

11 comments:

Dixie Redmond said...

OH! That picture is soooo inspiring. The black flies are out here so I need a picture like that to help me soldier on in planting some perennials. :-) I'm looking forward to seeing your fence! Loved the description of the garden.

Smiles,
Dixie

Lena said...

We are having a rather cool and rainy spring here, and many of my plants are late to bloom this year. Last night it poured and poured rain, and the wind blew hard. Today is sunny though, and very pretty, but still, cooler than I'd like. No planting has been done outside, although the window boxes are waiting, and I could maybe plant those, but the cold evenings are a worry, as their leaves tend to take on another color with the cold. We do have lilacs though! If I could I send you a great big bunch of them, to brighten up your days.

I think so much of gardening is planning, anticipation and wishing. I do it year long, really. Daydreaming a garden is a large part of making one, I think. It has seemed a slow to arrive spring though, this year, and I surely do know how you're feeling.

Your writings and photos are always a joy, that brighten my days, just as the flowers do.

Take care,

xo
Lena

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

The garden of my dreams, I can picture it clearly! Thanks you for that beautiful image, I will hold it close.

Debbie said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your fence, with delightful crab apples. Thank you for the picture of Tasha's garden, always inspiring.
Debbie

a little work of grace said...

the terraced stonework, the scent of peonies and the luscious spring growth with a wonderful well worn building in the backdrop ~~ definitely must-haves in my dream garden! Your garden plans sound lovely, Christine, and I noticed you managed to snug some scented geraniums in there. I just picked up a couple yesterday from the nursery, but can't put them in the ground yet.
We must be having your spring here in the midwest because things that typically don't bloom until June are already blooming here, like the lily of the valley. And my crabapple and lavender bushes are already at the end of blooming; they typically don't bloom until Mother's Day! I never stop being amazed at the birth of Spring and all it promises.

tight hugs,
Laura

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Spring can be a test of wills... provocative with colour and gentle little breezes. Then without warning she reminds us that Winter has just left and she can blow up a harsh storm and dark grey skies. Something like the temperament of a woman wouldn't you say.
Hold fast to her gentler side for it is only a breath away.
Susan x

Heather said...

Isn't that photo just so dreamy? I love Tasha's garden. Some day....
And I know that spring rains and sun will soon have your garden over-running! I've already got mint over-running my lawn ;)

Gypsy Purple said...

Fabulous post!!!!

Gayle said...

Christe---Tasha's garden is the ultimate inspiration!!! And we got to see it....and her. I am so glad we took that trip.

All your plants sound delicious to me. don't you love the word heirloom? My roses are about to burst. I'll take photos.

Waiting for my next Simple Life to come...

Sending all my best gardening thoughts...

Gayle

Doreen Frost said...

Good morning Christine. Such a wonderful photo of Tasha's garden and I do so love that quote from Abraham Cowley.

I am looking very forward to seeing your old rail garden, it sounds just beautiful.

Perhaps you are still in for a bit of cold weather and Mother Nature has made your dear flowers aware of this...so they are holding off their entrance until warmer weather arrives.

Wishing you a joyous day,
Doreen

QUAINT AND PLAIN said...

CHRISTINE~ MOTHER NATURE DOES SEEM TO WORK ON HER VERY OWN TIMETABLE AND RARELY DOES SHE BLOOM WHEN I THINK SHE WOULD BLOOM OR SPROUT WHEN I NEED TO SEE LOVELY GARDEN GROWTH... YOUR DEAR FARMER HAS WORDS OF WISDOM TO BE SURE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WHEN TIS HARD TO BE SO... HAVE A LOVELY DAY... B