Spring in Alabama

Clematis on my mailbox

As is usual this time of year, Spring has arrived in the South. Last week was just about peek and I took a walk through my neighborhood to show you what is blooming around here. In spite of our severe drought last year, it doesn't seem to have affected the show of flowers. We have had lots of rain lately, so that has helped a lot. Foliage and blooms are pushing their way up to the sunshine and giving us a grand show that only happens this time of year. This is my very favorite season!
Azaleas are a staple in the Southern garden and they are tried and true bloomers. Our neighborhood is 10 years old, so many yards are well established (ours, not so much, but that's another story).
I won't attempt to name everything I've taken pics of, but what I do know, I'll share. This is especially for all you gals up in the frozen north who will have to wait another month or so to see a show like this. I'm so sorry for you!
I love this bunny planter at a neighbor's already filled with tiny petunias that I think are Million Bells.
Lady Banks Roses on a mailbox.
Pretty purple iris
Don't know this one.
More azaleas, the colors are spectacular this year.
White dogwood in full bloom
More azaleas
Such gorgeous colors. Not sure what tree this is, but the blooms are amazing.
I think this is a snowball bush with one crazy limb climbing up to the sky.
Snowball closeup.
Pink dogwood
More coral azaleas.

I love this color azalea! My favorite pink.
These tulips were so pretty!
Ahhhhh.
Pink azaleas and pink dogwoods.

Red Japanese maple, you can't beat their foliage for beauty.
We always called this Thrift and I can't remember the real name of it.
More azaleas.
Lilac perhaps??
Carolina jasmine at the end of the blooming season.

And then I ran into these cute little guys in one yard. They were happy to have some company and came right over to be petted.
I've been by to see them before and they're very friendly.
Aren't they cute?

Pink and white azaleas right next to each other. I'm determined to get some in our yard. We have no azaleas right now and have lots of landscaping work to do. I miss having all these blooms in my yard, as my yard in GA was full of them. Now here's what's been blooming in my yard. I fell in love with Lenten Rose (or hellebores) several years ago when I saw them at Callaway Gardens in Georgia and vowed to have some one day in my own garden. I planted 3 little plants two years ago and they are rewarding me now with some beautiful blooms. I actually took these pics back in March and they were in full bloom then.
I really don't know all that much about Lenten Rose, except they bloom in late winter and have the most delicate flowers and colors.
Isn't this a beautiful flower?
Just thought you'd all love a little shot of spring to cheer you up, just in case you are still stuck in Winter where you are.
Hang on, Spring's coming your way too!

I'm chillin' out in Florida, literally. They've had a little cold snap this week and the nights are a bit chilly and highs for a couple of days around 70. We walked around the lake last evening and I was freezing! I'm going to do a little shopping and browsing at some antique stores and if the sun is out some this week, I'll sit by the pool and read my books. I brought plenty of reading material so I won't be bored.