Abloom!

A field of poppies at Blue Mountain Lavender Farm                     © Diane B. Reed

Despite a late spring, the Walla Walla Valley is finally in bloom. Everything seems to be several weeks behind schedule. I stopped out at Blue Mountain Lavender Farm in Lowden, WA a few weeks ago and the lavender was just beginning to bloom. Now, they're in full swing.

Lavender "Hidcote"                                    © Diane B. Reed

But I don't have to stray out of our yard to find beautiful blooms. Our lavender is in full bloom too, as are a number of the flowers in the garden.

Lily                                                          © Diane B. Reed

 I try to pick plants that will bloom all season, like blanket flowers and Coreopsis. But there are a few plants that bloom ever so briefly (like some of the lilies) but are so beautiful that their place in the garden is assured.

Coreopsis "Jive"                     © Diane B. Reed

Some people spend their time shopping at the malls, I head for the nurseries to see if they have any new plants that I want to add to the garden. This year I found a Coreopsis "Jive" that was so unusual that I had to have it.




Every year we add a few plants, but this year we also had to replace some that succumbed to the precipitous temperature drop last November. But it's always nice to welcome new plants to the ever-evolving garden.

I leave you with a quote from New England poet and writer Celia Thaxter  (1835-1934), as true today as then.

"He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person, but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul."  

I feel fortunate, indeed.