Columbine, lupine, foxglove, peonies, heritage roses, rosa rugosa, hawkweed, daisies, chinese lilac are ALL blooming in my garden now

It an embarrassment of riches of blooms of so many flowers.  The only plant seemingly past it's prime so far is the dandelion which were quite prolific this year.  I called them mutant since they were very tall and thick stemmed.  Also the fruit trees and english hawthorne have passed their bloom period, but it did last a long time this year since we have had mostly wet and cool weather so far this spring and early summer.

I have columbine in purple and pure white, foxglove in many different colors, mostly white or pink peonies, ranunculus or yellow buttercups, white dainty historic roses, hawkweed in yellow, orange and even reddish with very tall stems, white daisies in abundance, Miss Kim Lilacs lacy and at their height of bloom right now.  Even the daylilies are beginning their bloom and too many other to mention!

Amazing Arizona Spring with Beaver Sculptures, Starpoints, Lilac, Swallowtails, and Columbine

The weather has been perfect here in Arizona for months.  The heat went off weeks ago and the coolers were started up today, but for now it requires no heating and cooling to be comfortable.  Dining outside is a delight on our screened in porch.  The first days of spring have brought temperatures that seem more like early summer!  There are many wildflowers in bloom and I continue to learn their common names--blackfoot daisy, indian paintbrush, manzanita shrubs and many other plants.

We have noxious weeds in AZ like the puncture vine or goathead:  http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=04, but most "weeds" have a pretty flower like filaree or cranesbill.  However, my HOA wants us to eliminate all "weeds" and plant growth which I do not agree with, especially since for many that means spraying large amounts of glyphosate.  I am experimenting with orange oil, vinegar, and a miniscule amount of detergent in my sprayer.  So far it is taking gallons, and the insects in hte soil don't care much for it, but my beautiful green yard is beginning to turn an ugly brown!  I am doing this under protest as I love my filaree, london rocket, locoweed, bunchgrasses, starpoint/silverpuffs and daisy fleabane.  Every day it is different in my yard this time of year, but now it will have to be eliminated.  However, I love the common land trails by Oak Creek and Spring Creek so I comply.

Columbine in my garden

Starpoint or Lindley's Silverpuff in my yard

Swallowtail on My Lilac Bush!

Sculpture Done by a Beaver by Oak Creek

They are unfortunately taking down a lot of trees...

Flowers, Rocks and the Geometry of Nature

Campobello Island is well known for it's beautiful beach "cobbles".  I have a garden at Friar's Bay Studio Gallery where I use cobbles as "Campobello mulch".    Today is another busy day of renovation at the Artists Retreat Studios & Gallery, so here are three quick kaleidoscopes I created with seasonal flowers in my garden.