Come for a Garden Stroll

I moved the forsythia (Northern Gold Forsythia) last autumn and this is the first year it has actually bloomed high up the stems.  In its previous location, where it faced south, its blooms covered only the lower 1 foot of the plant.  Now the snow cover lasts much longer as it is shaded part of the day.  I think this offered more insulation and resulted in more blooms.  Yay!  That's a good thing.

Another good thing:

This is my PJM rhododendron in full bloom.  It is such a gorgeous plant.  It gets shade here in the morning and if I had it to do over, I would plant it where it gets more sun so it would remain more compact. However, this spot near the deck is more sheltered and has a warmer microclimate which is good for its needs too.

 This view is from under the deck looking west toward the rhododendron and fountain near the stairs to the deck.  The small green mound seen here in front of the rhododendron is a columbine.  to the right are the irises.

Taken later the same day with the west sun shining on the rhododendron.  In front is a bird's nest spruce.  No signs of the clematis yet.

A view of the back yard looking south. Front right is Young's Weeping Birch; planters with lettuce, tomatoes, pepper, carrots, watermelon radishes, and parsley; mountain ash in the corner with an Alberta Spruce in front.  To the left is a seating area with a firepit and the pond with waterfall is in the far left corner.

The pond area is planted with topiaried pine, junipers, groundcover junipers, two young maples and a bridal wreath spirea

A close-up of the bridal wreath spirea.  It has been flowering for a week or so now and is now at its finest.  Here you can see it is flanked by topiaries.

The sun in the early morning caught the leaves of this summer wine ninebark, giving it a golden glow.

To the left, cedars, ahead is the ninebark, junipers, and spirea.  This was shot from the east side of the house looking south.

The delphinium, blue knight I think, has had a growth spurt lately.

In the front yard, the ferns are coming up nicely, showing off their fiddleheads.  These are ostrich ferns, otherwise known as fiddlehead ferns.

This palace purple coral bell was likely self-sown from others that share the bed with the fern.

You can't see them, but these rose glow barberries are flowering.  The flowers are small yellow balls suspended beneath the branches. The flowers are then followed by tiny red ornamental berries.  These barberries are planted with two bird's nest spruce and a schubert chokecherry tree which is flowering now, as seen below.

That's the garden summed up in a few photos.  Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.

I am joining Mary at Dear Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and Glenda at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday/Flaunt Your Flowers.