By Melody Kendall

As a youth I was very active in the local 4-H program. Once, while contemplating a title for my presentation I would enter in the 4-H Demonstration Day, my Dad piped up from the other room, ‘How about…Spring has sprung, the grass has riz and here we is'?  I laughed, but as I recall my Mom wasn't amused at his grammar.  I really don't remember what I ended up calling the presentation.

Saturday, March 20^th, 2021 was the first day of Spring, so these photos of my spring garden is for you, Dad, because spring has definitely sprung.

After winter months with the only color in my garden coming from the bright red Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestica berries and some volunteer Field Marigold Calendula arvensis, which I have since learned is considered an invasive plant,

I was ready for a change.

First up were some crocus bulbs that I hadn't remembered I planted and my variegated Daphne Odora blooming and filling the area with a lovely fragrance.

Next the grape hyacinth and my Cape balsam Bulbine frutescens showed their colors.

My Camellia and Azaleas had bountiful, beautiful blooms and the Daffodils stood tall and bright. 

I had planted some ranunculus and Poppy anemone bulbs and they put on quite a show.

Along the north side of the garden is a free form area containing Sparaxis and California Poppies. A friend gave me the poppy seeds and I broadcast them and walked away.  Quite a lovely display for virtually no work don't you think?  

And, this is just the beginning. I'm trying some tulips, allium is ready to pop and even the roses are getting into the show.

Now my bougainvillea is leafing out, oriental poppy seeds are sprouting and my variegated Dogwood has little green leaf tufts at the ends of all its branches. 

Everything is showing so much promise.  Each day when I walk in my garden I feel rejuvenated, alive and hopeful for the future.  It's hard not to when so much life abounds all around me. My garden is truly a gift, a retreat where I can recharge and gain a positive outlook for what the future holds.

Thanks, Dad, for the inspiration to create this pictorial to share my garden.

Information links:

UC IPM

Heavenly Bamboo http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/nandina.html

Camellia http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/camellia.html

Azalea http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r280110211.html

UC ANR blog-Spring Bulbs https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=22522

Invasive plants atlas-Field Marigold https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=22378

USDA-Plant profile-common grape hyacinth https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MUBO

UC Davis Arboretum-Cape Balsam https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/plant/cape-balsam

UCMG Santa Clara County-Sparaxis tricolor

http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/water-wise-plants/full-plant-list/?uid=99&ds=833

Pacific bulb society-Allium https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AllAlliums

Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143.  Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.

Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.

Photo credits: Mel Kendall