Friday, April 30, 2010

April's Beauty - A host of Golden Daffodils!

April has flown by with such a mixture of weather! But that's spring in upstate NY.
She teased us with gloriously warm days for the first week or so, and then pushed us back to winter, with cold winds and even a little snow now and then to remind us that we are at the mercy of her whims.
There were a some mild, sunny days thrown in here and there, but this last week she's brought us winds straight from the Arctic and even a little snow.
Finally today she finished the month with a flourish - abundant sunshine and highs in the low 70's (approx. 22ÂșC) - wonderful!

I don't think I've ever enjoyed the spring garden more!


The daffodils have been pure delight.


Picture taken April 5th
The afternoon light is glorious!

April 19th


Hyacinths have joined the show. Posted by Picasa


And grape hyacinths/muscari are now adding their beautiful blue.


April 19th
The grass and hills are green and the trees are leafing out.


April 29th
The lawn has just had its second mowing.


Gorgeous blues and yellows! Posted by Picasa


Pink, white, and purple hyacinths,


and even a yellow one tucked back behind the poppies.


 Back on April 13th the Driveway Garden was bursting with daffodils.




And the Lilac Garden added those pretty whites to the mix. Posted by Picasa


Hannah is always exploring, chasing little critters and bugs.


  
A few days ago she cornered a vole, which was smartly dispatched - one less to eat my bulbs. They don't like daffodils and hyacinths, but they will eat tulips and crocuses, among other things.


I've never seen her sister, Molly, catch anything. She's very mild mannered and wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, maybe....I'll have to watch and see :)


The lovely blue Scilla/Siberian Squill are finished now. Posted by Picasa


I'm always sad to see their bright blue flowers fade away. They lasted about 3 weeks.


The cooler weather and some rain have prolonged the life of the daffodil blooms.


April 21st


We've enjoyed their sunny yellow faces for the entire month. Posted by Picasa


The first tulips opened about the 18th,


....Just as the first daffodils were finishing.




Three days later the Blue Heron Tulips opened their pretty fringed petals. Posted by Picasa


Now there are tulips galore adding their glorious colors, but I'll save those photos for the next post.


Murphy enjoying a bath in the late afternoon sunshine.


The daffodils always bring the following poem to mind, and consequently, my father, as this was one of his favorites. It's become a tradition for me to add it to a post full of golden daffodils.
I'm also reminded of my mother because she loved these flowers so much. My brother and I would bring her bouquets of them during springtime in Australia.


 
I  Wandered Lonely As A Cloud


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.


Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.


The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought


For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.


William Wordsworth

Posted by Picasa

19 comments:

Tabor said...[Reply]

You have so many daffodils, do you bother to divide them anymore? Next year (this fall) for me it is finding a place in my tiny garden for more Iris.

CanadianGardenJoy said...[Reply]

Kerri girl : ) This was a lovely post to read this morning : )
It has been an odd Spring hasn't it ? That weather pixie kept us guessing what would happen next ? LOL .. but the month seemed to fly by didn't it ?
I love seeing pictures of your kitty kids playing outside : )
I have so enjoyed my tiny display of Spring bulbs too .. there is nothing like all of those daffs planted in mass like that .. I wish I had the room for that .. and .. I love the older cultivars of the daffs .. they are what you think of as a daffodill !
The poem was beautiful .. every time I read it I think of how fresh and wonderful Spring is after a very long winter !
Thank you : )
Joy

F Cameron said...[Reply]

What a sweet memory of taking bouquets of daffodils to your mother.

So many beautiful spring blooms in your gardens. I'm happy that warm weather is finally there for you.

Your cat Hannah is worth her wait in gold! Great work! (I bred an Arabian horse that I named 'Cat Hannah'... she passed away at age 30).

Beautiful post and one of my favorite childhood poems!

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

Your daffs have put on a marvelous show. It has become a spring ritual for me to see your post of daffs then read the poem. Great ritual I say. Happy Spring.

kylieps said...[Reply]

Hi Mum! Lovely daffs. I just heard an NPR piece on Wordsworth and that poem. Apparently he and his sister were out for a walk one spring, rounded a corner and there were drifts and drifts of daffodils. It really did happen! But he didn't write the poem until two years later. The sight must have stuck with him so vividly.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

So much beauty for April. It must be good planning! So those fringed tulips are called Blue Heron? They are really pretty, and the pale pink ones are exquisite.

It looks like you have already put lots of work in your beds this spring. Maybe it is those four-legged helpers you have while you work.

After a cold week, with rain and snow showers, we are having a great Saturday morning. It is already past 70 degrees at 8:30.

Happy gardening!

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

I had to memorize that poem in grade school and it has always been a favorite of mine.

Your daffodils are just glorious! Aren't they such a happy flower? Of course you never cease to amaze me with your beautiful gardens. I hope pleasant weather will prevail so you can be out and enjoying the work.

sweetbay said...[Reply]

All of your daffodils and spring bulbs are beautiful! I especially love the second shot with the wonderful golden light.

Sue Swift said...[Reply]

Lovely pics kerri - though I have to say I've always thought Daffodils a fairly awful poem. Ah well ...

BernieH said...[Reply]

The daffodils are just beautiful ... I just loved that second shot with the fading afternoon sunlight. It must be wonderful to look out on such beauties as the daffs, the hyacinths and the tulips.

Pam said...[Reply]

Aaaahhhh. Your view! Your rolling acres! Your flowers! Your cats! Your life!

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, I've been looking forward to your post. Your garden always puts on such a fantastic spring show.

We had a really nice spring bulb show here too. Perfect weather for long lasting flowers.
Marnie

Alice said...[Reply]

Your daffodils blooming must be like turning on a light after your long Winter and skittish Spring.

Each flower is so perfect in colour and form that it's such a shame when they wilt and fade away. But then comes the beautiful colours of the tulips and heavenly perfume of the hyacints.

All that colour, enriched by the afternoon sunlight and the blue, blue sky. Soon those bare branches will be sending forth fresh leaves and changing the landscape entirely.

R. and I were just discussing yesterday how we almost wish we could have a hard, snowy winter (care to send one over?) just so that we could experience the joy of sunshine and warm days, open doors and windows, and curtains blowing in a warm breeze. I would think that you could almost burst with the joy of it all.

Bless you, you deserve it.

Babara said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri,I immediately believe you when you are saying that you didn't ever enjoy Spring more than this year. You're indeed spoiled with all these wonderful daffodils and other Spring flowers. I imagine how you're preparing bouquets for indoors, church etc....And besides, you are right, "my yellow spots" are the dandelions in the meadow of our neighbour farmer ;-) !!
Enjoy Spring, hopefully with better weather than we actually have (rain for already five days and temperatures around 6 °C). But we urgently needed rain....earthworms and slugs are pleased too;-) !
Best wishes,
Barbara

Sigrun said...[Reply]

You have such a lot of daffodils, and so wunderful. I have no luck with them, in the second year someone hat eaten it, I think mouses.

Sigrun

*Ulrike* said...[Reply]

What a lovely view to spring where you live! So many daffodils!! I would like to see that many here, but heaven help us if we ever move as I would be digging everything up!
Really enjoyed seeing spring in your area as ours is long gone now, only the leaves left!

Cris said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, I love coming here in the morning to start the day with a smile as I read your beautiful text about the Spring and see how wonderful your garden looks like in all seasons! I had some hyacinths decorating each table on my birthday, and they were so beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful Mother's Day! Love,

TUFFENUF said...[Reply]

Oh Kerri! I just read this post! How beautiful! I really thought hyacinths only came in blue or white until I saw these pics! You have a beautiful garden! Thanks for posting the nice photos!

Blissful Begonia said...[Reply]

So sorry to hear about your husband's recent illness. I hope that he is recovering well and that each day brings you precious moments to share.