I’m holding myself back with all my might, from sharing a dozen flat images in an effort to convey the magnificence in the garden. The plum trees are adorable, short and squat as I’ve trained them to be, dotted with their pristine white blossoms. The Iceland poppies sway gracefully in the breeze, and the anemones are coming on in red, violet and white.
I ate lunch out there near the pineapple guava one day this week, because it was sunny, and much more pleasant than in the house. As I wandered around I gave thanks for all the hardiness of the plants, their constancy in coming back again and again. Most of them look fairly ordinary in their pictures, at least the way I take them — and I really think no one else could love them the way I do.
But I will share the funny and fantastic Dutchman’s Pipe Vine again (above). It’s in the peak of bloom right now, and the leaves just coming out. Mine is the native Californian species, modest in comparison to some exotic ones (a few far-out examples here), which I planted in hopes of attracting the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. So far I haven’t been aware of success in that way, but I enjoy the plant itself very much. This is what the butterfly looks like:
I’ll be sure to tell you if I ever see one in person!
Gladsome Lights 
I love reading about your garden! The Dutchman’s Pipe Vine must be such fun to look at, and your description of the other plants blooming makes me feel I would enjoy sitting out there with you 🙂
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I didn’t realize that the Pipevine Swallowtail’s as picky about its host plant as the Monarch: perhaps even pickier. I found this interesting article about your area specifically; I was especially surprised by the plant’s fruit.
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I haven’t ever noticed a fruit on mine – I wonder if that means the special pollinating flies have also not found my plant…
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Your garden is so lovely and all the more so to me because you can be out there right now! Share as many photos as you like — a) it’s your blog and b) I suspect everyone loves them as much as I!
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Fruit tree blossoms are so sweet! We don’t have any fruit trees on our property here in Eastern Washington. We did have an apple and pear tree when we lived on the west side of the state and their blossoms were always a delight. Enjoy the unfolding of Spring!
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What an interesting plant! It is really attractive! The butterfly photo is so beautiful!
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