120318 - Cabbage Poppy

It was very windy today, but I managed to take this photograph of a cabbage poppy in bloom at the top, left of the terraces.

Always rather spindly, it nearly didn't overwinter, its first batch of flowers failing to bloom last fall after several days of rain, so this tiny red-and-purple flower is a treat.

120317 - Cactus Flower

A few weeks ago, Phil placed along the windows in the front room a euphorbia and several cacti in containers.

The size of an orange, this cactus started to bloom last week.

1203 - Kalanchoe

Afternoon sunlight makes the opened flowers of the kalanchoe sparkle and glow.

1203 - Crab Spider

I was cutting cala lilies to bring indoors when I spotted this crab spider.

1203 - Gaillardia

It has taken a few years to settle in, but this gaillardia in the fride (FRont sIDE) garden now produces dozens of flowers a week.

For much of this winter, an arrangement in the dining room has been nothing but weekly cut gaillardia flowers.

1203 - Sweet Peas

The sweet peas alongside the staircase at the top of the terraces continue to bloom even as winter sweet peas make their appearance, the scent of a single pale pink flower strong enough to perfume the kitchen.

1203 - Stock

We introduced stock into the gardens several years ago, and were happy it readily reseeded.

The fragrance of its flowers is one of my favorites.

1302 - Hyacinths

Dozens of hyacinths have come up this warm, dry winter to give us a steady supply for arrangements throughout the house.