Still.
I think that is one of the loveliest words in the English language. Not lyrical. It doesn't roll off the tongue in a beautiful way, but the meaning behind it is so very sweet, so romantic, so enduring, so passionate. Songs have been sung, movies have been made about this one little word.
If I were creative, I would compose a song about the early spring blooms that are looking beautiful in my garden...
I think that is one of the loveliest words in the English language. Not lyrical. It doesn't roll off the tongue in a beautiful way, but the meaning behind it is so very sweet, so romantic, so enduring, so passionate. Songs have been sung, movies have been made about this one little word.
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| hellebore |
If I were creative, I would compose a song about the early spring blooms that are looking beautiful in my garden...
...still.
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| tulips |
They won't last much longer, but for now, hellebores, pansies, camellias, tulips, phlox, violets, muscari, quince and daffodils are blooming...
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| phlox, daffodils |
...still.
Even my Christmas cactus is blooming. (Again, not still.)
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| Christmas cactus |
Usually the weather turns quickly from cold to hot, and spring blooms fade quickly. Not this year. This year, they have continued to bloom, and I have enjoyed their blooms longer than I can remember in years past. In addition to the blooms, daytime temperatures outside have been so very pleasant. Not too hot. Not too cold.
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| camellia |
Well, we did get a late freeze, which did some damage to tender growth. Usually we worry more about high temperatures. When the temperatures soar, I alway feel as if I'm behind on my chores. This year, I have been working leisurely. I know the temperatures will soon go from pleasant to hot. And I will then feel behind, and rushed.
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| quince |
And the lovely spring blooms will be gone. I will have different blooms to see then.
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| irises |
But for now, I'm thrilled to be able to look up from my garden chores and see spring blooms, blooming...
...still.
Blooming still and more to come. I love the way the light falls across the early morning garden in the stillness.
ReplyDeleteLovely, all of it. Someone gave me some white Iris and I noticed a brave new fan today -- always next year.
My Easter Cactus has buds, nothing new on the Christmas ones.
Very pretty pictures and a great read. I almost forgot the wind was blowing here... Still ;)
ReplyDeleteNot only still but also! All so lovely Holley!
ReplyDeleteStill. its nice to roll around the tongue like vintage port. We just had a lot of rain and some wind, so most of my blooms are still laying in mud. Oh well, next spring...
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice way to tie everything together. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reminder to us all. Maybe that is some of the magic that the garden brings....being still and enjoying the moment we have. Your blooms are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHolley, I'm still grateful someone has flowers blooming somewhere! I love the pictures you have shared in this post. We still have snow, another 1/2 inch last night of new stuff fell (but mostly melted) last night. So, since we're not defrosted yet, I'm still working on the stained glass. Maybe I'll have time to complete the big wisteria lamp yet!
ReplyDeleteIs your quince the 'flowering' find or the true fruiting type. Mine isn't flowering yet but it is putting on aome leaf. Gladyou're having a pleasant spring, here in Italy it is STILL cold, Christina
ReplyDeleteChristina, it's just the flowering kind. I do like the color, but it would be nice to have some fruit to make jam!
DeleteLots sure going on for you. I just got out 2 days ago and did Spring cleanup and some pruning. I kept telling myself the Roses better like being big because I am not pruning them again. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Your spring garden looks lovely and your words sound lovely too. On this side spring is soooooo sllllloooooowww this year, temperature is slowly increasing, hopefully with some rain, that's what we need, than we can look forward happily to our spring show in the garden.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. There is much to be learned from that one word ~ still.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring and Happy Gardening ~ FlowerLady
My word is finally as there are some blooms finally blooming and the weather is finally warming but will it last. I do have snowdrops still blooming which is unusual. Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteHolley, nice to see blooming flowers! I love your photo of 'quince', lovely buds!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been thinking that one upside of slow, slow transition from winter to spring is that there is less of a need to rush with garden chores.
ReplyDeleteRoses and irises already? Wowser! That is awesome. Spring is quite lovely in your garden. That Christmas cactus must love it there! What a delight!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your irises most of all. You always have a wonderful way with words :)
ReplyDeleteHolley, nice to see your spring flowers, especially your camellia, here in London it is still cold! But we are getting there, slowly, slowly, today was a very nice day, but frost tonight. I hope spring will slide into summer for you, instead of going off with a bang :-) Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteI love those red camellias..they look like roses but with less work!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely flowers and beaufiful images! Now you kids be still! I'm trying to watch my shows. Did great grand dad really have a still in the barn? They are illegal still.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lovely german art song - Still as the night, deep as the sea...
I'm so glad you STILL have your spring flowers! They are so pretty. Do your Roses bloom into summer? When do your Iris usually stop blooming? My Iris should start blooming soon and will last into late May. I'm always excited when the Iris start blooming because they are one of the first tall blooms in the garden and make quite an impact.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks beautiful!!! I love the Hellebores and Tulips are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Spring is such a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI like the word "still" too. It evokes a sense of peacefulness of quiet contemplation, of waiting, of staying right here, in the moment to observe the world around us. I like it because it is the polar opposite of chaos. Some people thrive on chaos and their gardens are a chaotic jumble. The older I get, the more I prefer the stillness of life and the garden.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week in the garden.
What a lovely post and lovely word. One of my aunts used to say "stilliness" for that early morning hush on a beautiful spring day (as in, "Hush, and listen to the stilliness!")--your top photo made me think of that and smile.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a long spring! We almost never get that where I am. Just a quick transition from winter to summer. Spring is my favorite season - I'd love for it to last longer!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many blooms in your garden! Still.... no roses?
ReplyDeleteNo roses still, we had a late freeze that damaged most of the little buds. :(
DeleteI like the word ephemeral too. Like still, it says a lot about the fleeting spring blooms. Also, the word still means peaceful and tranquil, nice things to feel with the new growth of spring.
ReplyDeleteI ike your white iris. Never had any luck with iris.
ReplyDeleteI loved looking at your Spring garden. Here in South Africa we have jumped through autumn to winter. I will reflect on the word "still". For me the word is also the opposite of "chaos".
ReplyDeleteSo true, we have to be "still" to enjoy those fleeting, beautiful moments. Nothing like a spring flower to make us stop, breathe in, and savour the temporariness of this gorgeous season.
ReplyDeleteYour quince is as lovely as the still of a spring day. Pretty word, yes.
ReplyDeleteStill is a lovely word, but as I was looking at your images I kept sighing and replacing "still" with "soon".
ReplyDeleteSoon it will be spring.
Soon I will have pretty tulips and daffodils like Holley's.
I am glad that the weather you have experienced this spring is temperate. I am taking that as a hopeful sign that this spring and summer will have none of last year's dramatic swings.
Sounds like you are having a perfect spring, cool temperatures that linger, easing you into the warmer weather. We seem to be in for the opposite this year. Our temperatures have been too cold and weathermen are predicting it will be a quick change when the warm weather hits.
ReplyDelete"Still" is a beautiful word, especially after busy, stressful days. Your garden is a beautiful retreat. I love the red and pink colors of the camelia and quince.
ReplyDeletethe photos reflect the stillness and peace and beauty in your garden. My favourites are the hellebores and quince.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely - and well worth relishing whist you can.
ReplyDelete