May 3, 2009

The front garden is flourishing.
The tulips are taking over.
Some of the tulips grew crooked. Since they face north, they must be seeking sun.
A brilliant pink color on the outside, the inside is a fascinating surprise of yellow and blue with a pink stigma in the center.
In the backyard, lilacs flourish. The bushes grow facing southeast.
They are fragrant. Their scent permeates the yard and is even detectable from the front yard.
Just last month these trees were bare but for tiny green buds. The flowers have one layer of four petals. The buds are round with an "x" cut in the top. The bush furthest from the corner is a mix of white and purple flowers. The fragrance of the flower is not affected by the color.
The flowers grow close together in a cone shape. The leaves are green and tough.
The lilac bush in the corner boasts white blooms only and has far fewer flowers than the one further from the corner. The side that grows against the fence is flat. Looking at the source of the tree, it seems there are three small trunks all growing separately but together.
This lilac bush is just beginning to bloom. The cone clusters of flowers are primarily made up of closed buds.

Under the maple tree grows another lilac with bright purple buds and open flowers with a bluish tint.

Dead and dry brown flowers that once held seeds still cling to the Rose of Sharon, but green buds are beginning to take over.
Underneath the Rose of Sharon are very tall neon orange Tulips. They seem to be a different variety of tulip than the tulips in the front garden. Taller. Straighter. Less leaves. Open wider.
The petals open like tiny tea cups.
Inside, bright orange gives way to a wavy triangle of yellow.
The petals are many shades of orange and yellow.

The vines on the wall have sprouted leaves. Green and red shiny, tri-pointed leaves.
The moss is turning brown and red and the teal lichens/moss are losing color under the now blooming vines. Water is at a premium.
The vines are quite possibly poison ivy. Little hooks grow off the vines and cling to the wall. They are especially evident on the largest of vines. The little flowers that once lived on the largest vine have disappeared. I dare not touch the leaves or vines to find out what they feel like for fear of a nasty rash.
The vine extends horizontally across the adjoining wall.
The corner is less populated by vines. The moss is able to thrive here. It is thick and green and moist.

Spring is a time of thriving things.