Hey Nature, great job.

Spring is by far the loveliest season (maybe until fall, but bear with me). It never ceases to amaze me how well nature planned the blooming of spring flowers. At the very beginning, still actually winter, the crocus bloom. Tiny bursts of color coming out of snow covered soil. Then come the lilacs. Perhaps my favorite week of spring is when the lilacs are in bloom and the ENTIRE neighborhood smells sweet and beautiful. About this time the magnolia, dogwood and crabapple trees start to bloom, I am lucky enough to have a Tulip Magnolia in my backyard and it's really beautiful. After it sheds its pink petals, it's a complete mess, but I am more than happy to put up with it in order to see it in its glory. After the lilacs, the tulips and daffs start to peak. I recently ordered a boatload of bulbs to plant in the fall, I feel such tulip envy whenever I see the masses of them in neighboring yards (soooo much more on garden envy later) that I realized I needed to step up my spring bulb game. Another favorite that blooms shortly after the other spring bulbs is the allium (photographed above). Oh, how I love the allium. My mom has a dozen in her yard that are the gladiator variety. They stand at least 3 feet high and have a softball sized purple bloom on top. After the bloom dies, she cuts it off and then spray paints the dried bloom. She gave me a set of gold, but I think that red, white, and blue, would be great for 4th of July decorations. And then finally, the poppies and peonies come out. My love for the peony will have to be spouted in its own, personal entry.

I went all paparazzi on some poor unsuspecting flowers today so I could share the beauty with you all.