It seemed like most of May was overcast and cold… Oh, I know there were a few sunny hours in there, but I had to turn on the furnace again, and I felt my mood sink. Many days, in the evening just before dusk the clouds would open up and let a few rays through, as the damp marine breeze was blowing in. But at the very end of the month: the sun! the sun! I guess I am a central California girl in my bones.
The penstemon bloomed while the weather was still gray; as soon as there was enough sunlight, I took its picture, from north, south, east and west. Things are really crowded right now by the patio, and the blue-eyed grass is barely peeking out from under that penstemon. I guess the Santa Barbara daisies (erigeron) are not exactly blue, but their lavender tone made me think of this group as layers of blue blossoms:
On the other side of the garden, nigella, salvia and borage definitely make a blue bouquet:
The plum trees got some kind of icky leaf curl on their new growth, from the wet spring I guess. Also, because of the constant rain, we were able to apply a dormant spray only once during the winter. Alejandro came today and cut off all those branches, which were going to get lopped anyway in a couple of weeks, at the solstice.
While he was working, I wandered about like an enchanted queen considering her domain, picking flowers here and there. Though the blues definitely make a splash in the garden right now, they didn’t steal the show from the sweet peas and yarrow in my bouquet. Any day that ends with fresh flowers in the house I count as a success. Garden happiness!
Gladsome Lights 
Garden happiness! I love that. There’s lots of it going around here, too.
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How beautiful your garden is looking at the moment!
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I love the view from your kitchen window and especially love all of the blues in your garden spaces. Thanks for sharing the beauty that surrounds you there. ~ Have a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady
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Your garden is just lovely! Glad the sun is shining again. We have similar periods of cool and damp on the east coast. Seems we have just entered one that will last several days.
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So many pretty blue blooms in your garden. Everything looks very lush and healthy.
I like the image of the enchanted queen walking about her domain idly picking a flower here or there. GM
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I could squeeze myself right in amongst those gorgeous blues and love every minute of it. Your fresh bouquet is beautiful!
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That view from your kitchen window, that’s what does it for me! And as usual I’m writing down some of your blue names like Penstemon and Borage just in case I get around to ordering these plants that we never find in local nurseries. I felt myself there with you as you considered your domain, Gretchen. It’s a lovely one and so is your bouquet in the house.
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Oh, that blue is unbelievably heavenly! Your garden… I simply cannot get over it. And I loved your bouquet arrangement, too. If I had that garden, I’d have flowers inside every day!
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