My favorite season is Fall, but Spring is starting to take the lead. We recently landscaped our backyard and many of the flowers in my garden are now blooming. I like to enjoy a cup of coffee in the backyard with my two dogs early in the morning. This is the view I’m blessed with when I peer over our fence. I’m greeted with a glorious sunrise peering back at me. 
I don’t consider myself to be a very good gardener. In fact, I admit that I am a frustrated gardener at best, and plants have a 50-50 chance of dying in my care due to squirrel and gopher attacks, bugs, over and under-watering, and sometimes neglect. I like to think that I’ve improved and I’m excited to show you the early bloomers in my garden this year. Here are potted gerbera daisies in multiple colors. The fuchsia and blush pink daisies are new additions. 
The red-orange gerbera daisy is from my husband. He gave them to me as a gift over a year ago. It’s been revived twice. I love these flowers because they can grow year-round. The cut flowers last up to two weeks in a vase and make lively tabletop decor for my dining and living room.
Below are a variety of succulents in a hanging basket. I’m surprised that these guys haven’t shriveled and died on me. Many say that succulents are impossible to kill. Not with me, it’s not! I was delighted to see that flowers were blooming from one of the succulents. 
The exotic looking orange flowers are called The Star of Bethlehem. They grow wild in South Africa and can tolerate high heat. Let’s see if they can tolerate me. I found out after purchasing them that the flowers are toxic to dogs. (Gasp!) I’m not sure where to put them permanently where Baxter and Maybelline can’t get to them.
Below are Columbines that are planted in three of my raised garden beds. I love the purple ones. Columbines attract hummingbirds and are drought resistant–the main reasons why I chose them. 
I love the rebel purple flower among the white columbines below. I was tempted to overlay it with text… Something profound or maybe just profoundly cheesy, like “Dare to be different.” 😉 
I am thrilled to show a couple of my orchids blooming. These orchids were gifts from my mother-in-law and I was really upset with myself when a few pots didn’t survive. I was ready to give up when I noticed a couple of spikes. I think I spent the entire afternoon that day, tending to the dozen pots of orchids that I have. Even though only two bloomed this year, I’m happy.
Here’s a gorgeous rose bud. I am in love with the blush pink color. I can’t wait for the rosebushes lining our fence to go into full bloom.
These flowers aren’t from my garden, but I wanted to share the cuteness. I came home from a recent photoshoot during Easter weekend to an adorable bunny bouquet. My husband, Rex surprised me. Aside from showering me with thoughtful gifts, Rex also likes to drink beer, eat bacon, and watch sports. (He requested that I add some other manly qualities to uphold his reputation.) HAHA
I hope you enjoyed visiting my backyard garden. Feel free to stop by and “Like” my Facebook page to stay connected. You can also subscribe on my website to receive notifications on my new blog posts via email.
XoXo,
Kristine
I didn’t know that tree out back could look so pretty! And I’m so glad you were able to make the orchids grow-Congratulations! Now that you’ve graduated from growiung basil and onions to orchids, you could decorate your house with fresh flowers all the time!