My favorite time of the year

This is the best time of the year...the promise of the spring weather and beautiful garden display to come. We are seeing the first tantalizing hints of spring. Yesterday the temperature was 70 degrees with light, soft breezes.

Above is a saucer magnolia coming into full bloom. Below are the pansies planted last fall. They survived the winter and are an attractive display. They can take the cooler temperatures and even withstand frost. That's why they survive the winter!

I always hold my breath when I see the camelia coming into bloom. It flowers so early in the spring, often it gets caught and frozen. But so far, it is beautiful this year.

The candytuft is just starting to bloom. It makes a good contrast to the grape hyacinth and the green blades of the iris to the right.

Here is an arrangement I made of daffodils and lenten roses. I love the bright yellow and subdued purple together.

A Carolina wren family has started a nest in the planter just outside the back door. As traffic increases through that door in the warmer weather, I not sure the wrens will be happy with their choice!