Happy Friday, Gpoders!
On Wednesday we saw Linda’s lovely forest garden at Lookout Mountain. Yesterday I saw the cute pink flowers in the lira garden (Lilla Azaleas) in Mill Creek. Cleo already shares her gorgeous garden in Cleo’s backyard in late October and Cleo’s Washington Garden in winter. Today, we can finally see her space as the weather warms up and the plants wake up from winter sleep. Cleo always contains so much great information about her plants, so I don’t waste my time and go straight to the good stuff.
Spring is my favorite time of year, especially in the garden. In western Washington, we are lucky to be able to make a long spring to see new leaves and spring flowers appear and grow. Here are 2025 photos of my favorite spring plants and garden scenes.
Our leaf leaves (Acer palmatumvar. astopurpureum ‘ever Red’, zones 5-8) that have just begun to appear in two magical carpets Spilia (Spiraea Japonica “Walbuma”) planted 36 years ago, planted just early April.
Ten days later, the Japanese maple from the lace leaf on the left will mostly wrap around the leaves. “Shindeshojo”, zones 5-9) first red leaf color (green leaves in summer, red leaves in autumn). The Bellevue skyline is in the background.
Metal blue allium sculptures are my favorite topic on your garden tour. In April, white summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravtye Giant’, zones 4-8) bloom to the left, next to the blue cama (Camassia leichtlinii ‘Blue Donube’, Zones 3–8). Pink “bow bell” rhododendron (Rhododendron “bow bell”, zones 6-9) is beginning to bloom on the right side.
One of my favorite spring scenes, “Redleaf” Roger’s flower (Rodgersia Podophylla ‘Rotlaub’, Zones 5–9) is coming out. The ancient Exbury Azalea adds a bright pop of apricot colors that echo through the glass goldfish. Other plantings. The small white flower in the back is wothergilla (fothergilla cardenii ‘Blue Mist’, zones 5-8).
Close-up of Redvein Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus, zones 5-8) in full bloom. This is a great shrub all year round.
One of our favorite subalpine wildflowers of Mt. Rainier is the Mophead (Pulsatilla occidentalissyn. Anemoneoccidentalis, zones 3-8). The European cousin Pascu flowers (Palsatira vulgaris, Zones 4-8) are happy to grow at sea level, making it a reminder of a great layer hike in urban gardens. Pulsatilla vulgaris blooms in March in a purple/mauve shade, after which the white-gray mofed continues into summer.
Close-up of Yak Rhodie Blooms (Rhododendron Yakushimanum ‘Koichiro Wada’, Zones 5–9). These pale pink flowers fit well in the garden. Then, later in the spring, you can enjoy the fine, new silvery leaves covered in feltie hairs.
I love blue flowers. Hubricht’s Bluestar (Amsonia Hubrichtii, Zones 5-8) is fantastic. These are the blue spring flowers. The thin green leaves then sway in the breeze throughout the summer, turning bright yellow in autumn. The magenta flower on the left is a hyacinthranc (Bletilla striata, Zones 5–9) from my aunt’s garden in Maryland.
Part of our garden is damp clay. Sixteen years ago I bought this Candelabra Primrose 7 plants (Primra x Burrisiana, Zones 4-7). Seed heads are left for most of the summer. I have a wandering stream of these primuroths, a garden favorite.
Amazing spring tour of your garden, Cleo! Your space is filled with so many interesting and eye-catching plants each season. I am very grateful for the time it takes to identify each one.
I can’t believe that next week is already the end of spring! We absolutely flew this season, but we are excited by the number of amazing spring gardens we have been treated for over the past few months. If you want a spring garden that is featured on your blog before your summer photos flood your inbox, consider sharing photos from this weekend! Follow the instructions below to send a photo by email or DM via Instagram: @girlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see your garden!
Do you have any photos to share? We want to see your garden, a collection of specific plants you love, or an amazing garden that you have had the opportunity to visit!
To send, send 5-10 photos (Email protection) With information about the plants in the photo and the location where the photos were taken. We want to hear where you are, the time you garden, the successes you are proud of, the mistakes you have learned, hopes for the future, your favorite plants, or interesting stories from your garden.
Do you have a mobile phone? Use #FineGardening to tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Do you still receive your GPOD by email? Sign up here
Recommended fine gardening products
Corona e-grip trowel
Fine Gardening receives commissions for items purchased through links on this site, such as Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Handle material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 inch Total Length: 14.5 inch Head Material: Aluminum. Handle color: Red.
Planting in the Post-Wild World: Designing a Plant Community for Resilient Landscapes
Fine Gardening receives commissions for items purchased through links on this site, such as Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscaping in the postwild world by Thomas Rayner and Claudia West, it is dedicated to the new nature that can nourish our cities and suburban areas: the idea of hybrids of both wild and cultivated.
Scotts Cordless Glass Shea/Shrub Trimmer Combo
Fine Gardening receives commissions for items purchased through links on this site, such as Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
With a built-in 7.2 volt lithium-ion ion battery, this little guy costs less than 2 pounds and can quickly and easily zip all minor pruning tasks. -13.5 x 3 x 5 inches – Uses a high capacity built-in lithium-ion battery with 7.2 volts 2Ah. Fast charger included
