From a distance ...

Oh my how the weather has turned on us! The winter chill lingered well into the morning and a dreary drizzle has yet to do anything less or more. It's days like these when I wish I had more of a stockpile of bright sunny photos to share. Alas, I took a lazy way out today and shot photos from my front window. And behold, there are some plants out there providing a bit of spark beneath these gray skies!

A glimpse of what I believe to be a Flowering Pear tree, captured between the fork of our apple tree. I'm not sure about the "pear" and am only going on details given to me by an arborist. Regardless, it's one of two lovely trees we have in our parking strip. It seems it's only just coming into full bloom and already is dropping its petals in cascading drifts. Soon it will be nothing but leaves to provide us with some much appreciated shade during the summer months.

 A pale Daffodil has opened in the front yard, with several more ready to follow. These sprung up later than the more traditional sunshine yellow variety but are already well ahead in their bloom. They'll soon fade and eventually be replaced by the Iris in the foreground, along with some nearby Daisies. All of these encircle a very small Red Elderberry I planted last year.

Another bright spot, although somewhat tattered, are the primroses that never really disappeared during our rather mild winter. I've realized these are little troopers in the garden that just keep giving as long as you continue cutting back the spent foliage and flowers.

The apple is so close to budding out. I don't recall, is it too late to have this pruned? There are seemingly hundreds of suckers reaching for the sky. I hate to have to leave them and risk another bad "crop" or inviting those pesky tent caterpillars!

Weeping flowering cherry. This is the first tree we planted at our home and it has continued to please season after season. Its coppery bark peels off during the winter, then it puts on a lovely display of pink blooms come spring, reminding me of a girlie Cousin It.

Hmmm, a Forsythia planted last year and that I'm not sure is going to make it. We'll see how it makes the spring and summer months. I'm sure it will need some more supplemental watering. I do hope it survives as I love the bright glow these tree/shrubs provide in the dark of winter.

Mexican Feather Grass catching the wind on this blustery day. I'll need to get out there soon and give it a good combing with a rake. I learned these are one grass that don't always respond well to hair cut. This is also what has volunteered nearby in the crushed gravel path. I kind of like it but believe the husband wants to keep it clear. So anyone interested just let me know. I've already promised some "babies" to Catherine at A Gardener in Progress, but there should be plenty more.

Sedum 'Angelina' filling a pot on our front steps. This low growing ground cover is bright and durable. You can practically pluck a piece and toss it on the ground, only to see it established and happily growing weeks later. I've added it in some of the corners around our deck and between the pavers. I figure even if the dogs shred it, it will still come back!