As April arrives, birds continue to call for mates and pairing-up is in full swing. Building or re-furbishing nests is in process, and every once in a while I hear what may be the cheeps of chicks. 

While Jello and I were on our daily walk, a Song Sparrow, perched upon a blackberry vine, belted-out a melodious invitation. 

Twining along the rail to my front door is an Evergreen Clematis, it makes a pretty welcome.

Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom‘

Spring invites us back outside, and since I like messing around with dirt and plants, this is my favorite time of year.

There’s much cleaning out and planning to do – I call it playing outside! 

March winds linger, scattering Flowering Plum (Prunus cerasifera) petals into pink drifts. Here they are floating in a birdbath while April showers patter.

Prunus cerasifera

My neighbor has an admirable copse of Forsythia (seen in the background above) with a lovely Flowering Quince anchoring each end of the border. Such a wonderful shrub!

Primula “Blue Zebra”

A few years ago I learned that Primroses, sold locally as annuals, actually are perennial evergreens in my zone. They are thriving in a rock garden I can see from the kitchen window  –  my “Primrose Lane” cheers me all winter.

“Flowers are beautiful hieroglyphics of nature, with which she indicates how much she loves us.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hello April