April Showers did bring May blooms for not-wordless-Wednesday

Although the weather in Nova Scotia continues somewhat cool, cloudy, wet, and definitely sluggish, our gardens and our plants will NOT be denied, will they? It's been a hectic week, and being away for a few days really brought home the changes when I got back Sunday after Saltscapes Expo. Then we had an election, and while that was good for my riding with the return of my excellent MP, Scott Brison...I worry about my country. That's all I'm going to say about that!

The garden, however, has been gratifying in its enthusiasm to get growing--even though some parts are very much ahead of me and I don't know when I'll ever get caught up. We can almost see things growing, like these tiny windflowers (anemone).

Although I can't remember the name of this Pieris variety, for me, it's now 'Dick Steele'. My late friend Captain Dick Steele gave me this shrub some years ago, and whenever I look at it I think of him.

The delicate flowers of Brunnera don't last nearly as long as I would like them to. They're even more delicate than forget-me-nots, but unlike Myosotis, the foliage is very attractive. This variety is 'Jack Frost', a personal favourite.

I was almost absurdly delighted to discover the first of the tulips in bloom yesterday morning. I believe this is a Greigii tulip but I don't remember which one.

Pulmonaria 'Red Start' continues to flower like crazy, reminding me that I promised to divide a piece to share with a friend. I must get some bales of potting mixture so I can get some potting up done. The list of to-dos keeps growing...

I've had this Pulsatilla, or prairie crocus, for many years. This year I've also added the purple one, but I haven't gotten a good photo of it yet. Maybe today, if the sun stays out. :-)

There's still plenty to anticipate, of course. As the days get warmer and the sun puts in actual appearances, there are new delights to savour each day. There's the wonder of rediscovering plants--"oh, you made it through, Anemone 'Vestal'. Oh, THERE you are, Viburnum 'Onondaga'!" (Yes, I really did misplace a shrub I'd planted, only because things grew so lush around it it was all but buried in lilies, ligularia, monarda and more.)

Before I wrap up today's post and get out in the garden, a couple of things--first, thanks to all who came out to the Saltscapes Expo this weekend, said hello, swapped stories, visited for a while.

Second, my apologies to my fellow bloggers, but I've been so run off my feet with work and book commitments that I've had next to no time to do any blog-reading, which I will rectify shortly.

Thirdly, thanks to all who continue to purchase and enjoy Plants for Atlantic Gardens. Your enjoyment of the book means the world to me--after all, that's why I wrote it, to help out other gardeners!--and your making it a regional bestseller in bookstores and on Amazon means more than you can ever know. Bouquets of gratitude to all. :-)