SPRING SPRANG AT THE CASA

I must admit, that when my laptop went...it drove me nuts!!!!! I lost all my pictures, but the tech peoples were able to recover them thank goodness! I am always traveling everywhere with one of two cameras handy, so I took lots of pictures while I got a new laptop.  I do believe we are now at the point where here in the northeast, were going from spring right to summer now. This week saw temps in the 90's already!!!! I told the pool boys to get busy and get the pool open damn it!!!!! If your familiar with Greek mythology, there is a story about Persephone, whom Hades fell in love, and wanted to marry her and live in the underworld, but her mother Demeter, Goddess of Nature and Harvest, also loved her and didn't want her to go and live in the underworld. So Zeus settled the quarrel.He stated Persephone would live six months in each world, six on earth, six in the underworld. Hence the seasons. When fall arrives, this is when Demeter starts felling sad because her daughter in leaving, winter,  her deep depression, and spring heralds Persephone's return again, hence all the beauties of spring. Well Demeter must have been extra happy this year, because around the Casa du Borghese, I don't think it ever bloomed so brilliant as it did this year, and I can finally share some snaps from the grounds.

 

I call this a peppermint bush. Looks like peppermints no?

 

I have no idea the tree in the above picture, but at the one entrances to the grounds is where it lives, and the color was fantastic. Here are two types of Magnolia that are on the grounds......

 

And the other....

 

some bluebells, but don't quotes me...

 

A Dogwood petal floats in one of the birdbaths. The stand was from a floral stand, and I went and bought a clay pot water dish for the top, and voila it fit right in. There are several baths around on the grounds.

 

This white bush is sooooo fragrant, and in the upper right, you can see a little beetle.

 

Now this bush also smells lovely. Not sure the name, but it is of Japanese origin I understand.

 

some wild violets at woods edge....

 

and some Wisteria...

 

 the fragrant lilac.....

 

the Dogwoods

 

I thought the and Rhododendrons and Azalea were so beautiful this year...

 

a moth on the screen....how cool and close....

 

 

the stunning Clematis vine....

 

no idea, but so pretty....

 

Some of the bounty, some Lily of the Valley for my abode...

 

 and some peonies and  clippings from a Fire Thorn Bush, I took to our host in Rehoboth Beach.....

 

 

Fire Thorns are used as barriers, this evergreen vine with thorny stems blooms white flowers in spring,  and can be trimmed to any shape. The bushes are covered with fire red berries in the fall attracting hummingbirds. They look great in arrangements...these went to Rehoboth Beach for our hosts home. Just watch those thorns though....their long and sharp! Here on the grounds now blooming are the mini Irises and rose bushes, which are just starting. Of course Bonnie and Clyde are back again with new off spring....

 

 

some of the Yellow finch from this morning....

 

Lately, when my blueberries start to get a bit wilted, I will cut in half and place on the sill in amongst the seeds. It is bringing Robins to the sill.........

 

I read blueberries are a special treat for certain birds and shouldn't be feed them all the time. In addition to all the birds I already attract, I now am getting Warblers!!!! The Lad will JUST LOVE  all the morning racket when he comes next visit.