These sweet and strange fritillaria bulbs have been coming up in my garden like champs. The checkered patterns on the sides are so extraordinary that when I first saw a drawing of them, I thought it was a joke. Now that I can grow them in my garden, I love the tops like paper lanterns and their lovely, nodding stems. So shy, so strange.

Frittilaria (checkered tulips) nod their heads, in a rainy flowerbed

Participating in My Romantic Home, Outdoor Wednesday, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Today’s Flowers, Thursday Challenge (Spring), Pink Saturday and Macro Monday. Glad you stopped by!

Daphne odora marginata is a fabulous, mostly evergreen shrub that grows very well in the Pacific Northwest. It likes acid soil and not too much sun. I’ve always had good luck with them and adore them for their intense fragrance and also for the cheerful start to the spring blooming season they provide. One little bouquet of these tiny flowers will scent up the house.

Daphne odora marginata blooms on a sunny windowsill in late March

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Saw these incredible trees today in Georgetown near the Seattle Design Center. That neighborhood has the most magnificent old cherry trees! If you are a fan of streets lined with masses of pink, head on down there. For your oooh-ing pleasure! I love this image and I’m calling it my Best Post of the Week.

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In Belltown (a trendy neighborhood in Seattle) on Friday, lots of cherry trees, some with these burgundy colored leaves, were blooming. Here’s a pretty photo with the heavenly blue sky showing in the background. NOTE: I’ve been advised that these are plum blossoms, not cherry. Still beautiful!

Ornamental cherry blossoms at the peak of their bloom.

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The weather has been so cold, gray and rainy, but there have been “sunbreaks.” This was taken during one of them at this time last year. You are looking south on First Avenue in Burien, not so far from me, south of Seattle. Puffy clouds and pink trees make a landscape for me, any time.

Spring scene with cherry trees and clouds in Burien, Washington.

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The red tips of the bushes are just beginning to peek through the soil outside, but those red tips will become flower heaven, come June. Here are some perfect pink peonies for your pleasure. Breathe deep, now!

Ruffled, soft pink, romantic peonies from my garden in June

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There’s a spot under Seattle’s viaduct, not far from Pike Place Market, where a couple of cherry trees always bloom early. This is from last year at this time, but I bet they are blooming right now. The glory of Spring!

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At the NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle that just ended, the theme was Hollywood, and I believe the name of this giant monolith of a display was Sunset Strip. Maybe because it is kind of the colors of the sunset? It was at least 4 or 5 feet tall. Here’s a piece of the center section.

A rainbow of flowers at the bouquet competition in the NW Flower & Garden Show

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Well, the NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle is over until next year. We had a lot of fun, met some wonderful people, and sold some books, jewelry and prints. Here is a photo I took of one of the florist competition bouquets. Such loveliness.

Lavender roses and orchids in a lovely NWFGS bouquet

Joining up in Monday Mellow Yellows, Catching the Light Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, Macro Monday, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Today’s Flowers, Ruby Tuesday 2 and Pink Saturday. Stop by and visit them if you get a chance. Thanks so much for stopping by here! Remember, if there is only one photo visible here, do click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to see the rest.

I know I’m rushing the season, but coming across these pinkish lavender lilacs I just had to post them. They bloomed in April in 2010 and maybe we’ll see lilacs in April this year, too. Right now that seems impossibly far away. Breathe that scent deep, now!

Old fashioned lilacs blooming in April 2010

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