We gardeners are really lucky. The color and beauty we cultivate may be some of the best therapy during our uncertain times. I’m still able to work for clients in their garden which is keeping me sane! My husband is working from home and doing reasonably well, except when he doesn’t take breaks and gets grumpy. I’ve encouraged him to methodically take a break and walk around outside and enjoy what we’ve created.

We’re still healthy and hope you are too. Whether we work or stay at home, the virus has impacted all of us and our families. Most suffer some level of anxiety over what is happening and the uncertainty. That’s when we need to look to our flowers and gardens. There is a connection there to the world that can brighten spirits, relieve anxiety, and even inspire. There are new blooms, garden art, the scent of a lilac, the staying power of the camellias I brought inside, and all the birds that are congregated in the garden, taking a bath or looking for a bug, or a mate.

This blog is dedicated to nothing more than some flowers and color in my garden. I wandered around recently to see what might be blooming or even garden art not blooming but a joyous distraction. Here’s what I found. Enjoy this, but more importantly, get yourself and family outside to the extent you can. If you can’t visit with others you still can visit with nature, hopefully in your garden.

This first picture captures some early Spring daffodils and a piece of garden art my husband made for me from wine barrel hoops. We found the idea while wandering around the hills in Carmel Valley several years ago.

The next few shots include the large loropetalum just outside our front door. It is spectacular. I see loropetalum sheared in “cubes”, but I prefer to let it grow with its natural pendulous branches. We can trim later after the blooms are spent. A shot of narcissus – thalia daffodils with loropetalum as a backdrop. The bright orange blossom is abutilon Victor Reiter, one of my favorite varieties. Next to it is the abutilon growing in the perfect place, with morning sun and afternoon shade, and with the proper space it needs. Lastly my favorite metal lady, “Laugh a Lot”. She looks funny enough to make you laugh even if you don’t read her apron!

This last shot was taken on the breezeway between the house and garage. My husband is proud of the copper plated pitcher on the bench on the right side of the picture that he found at a garage sale for 50 cents! I’m proud of the large healthy jade plant, loaded with blooms! It sometimes goes a month or more without water, because it is not on our automated drip irrigation system.

Stay healthy. And find therapy in your flowers.