where the colombines grow

Spring's coming around and, hopefully, we'll have flowers soon.

Living in Colorado, with its rather usual climate, I've ended up learning a lot about native plants. Initially it was just out of a desire to find things that could survive our scorching summers and lack of rain. However, I've found that a lot of pretty, odd, delicate native plants were available through local nurseries and that there was a sound ecological reason for using them.

Native species of plants can die out due to the effects of human settling and cultivation. If we keep some of the wee delicate blooms in our garden, we are helping to ensue their presence for future generations. They are also quite delightful and out of the ordinary.

I've discovered many dainty little plants that rather like the dry climate, high altitude and hot weather. It's nice to have something a little different, and, because they often take less water, its very handy in times of drought.

Most areas have a native plant society that can help provide information on what's available locally. Locally run plant nurseries are often helpful as well, carrying an array of native plants.

Colorado Native Plant Society

new pretties

I found some lovely vintage teacups to do odd things with. I think I'm pleased with the result.

I think I would usually be rather disturbed to find a bird had built its nest in my teacup, but he liked how the flowers matched his little blue feathers.

Perhaps this is the result of a little too much fun gardening.

Pretty flowers for a dreary Wednesday

I found this in an old children's book that belonged to my grandmother when she was a child in the 20's.

If you have any use for this illustration please feel free, as she's out of copywrite and it seems a pity to leave her shut in an old book forever.

I liked how sweetly cheery she is and her little, bright bundle of flowers. I think I should come up with some springy craft project for her. Either that or she may, in fact, be adorable on the lavender sachet I've been meaning to make for my coat closet.

The Lovely Mr. Keats

To introduce my new blog, I thought it would be appropriate to include the poem from which it got its name.

To me it's a lovely poem about rebirth and renewal and very fitting for spring.

Faery Bird's Song

John Keats

Shed no tear - O! shed no tear!

The flower will bloom another year

Weep no more! O! Weep no more!

Young buds sleep in the root's white core.

Dry your eyes! O! dry your eyes!

For I was taught in Paradise

To ease my breast of melodies -

Shed no tear.

Overhead! look overhead!

'Mong the blossoms white and red -

Look up, look up. I flutter now

On this flush pomegranate bough.

See me! 'tis this silvery bill

Ever cures the good man's ill.

Shed no tear! O! shed no tear!

The flower will bloom another year.

Adieu, adieu - I fly, adieu,

I vanish in the heaven's blue -

Adieu, adieu!