Spring! Sun! Flowers!!

Oh, what a very nice spring it has been in these parts!  There's been plenty of rain, to be sure, but there have also been some very presentable patches of sun and warmth interspersed.  There have been no killing frosts (yet, crossing fingers) and the plants are happy -- with some exceptions.  Something is terribly wrong with my Oridono Nishiki japanese maple, and barring a miracle I think it is doomed.  Every leaf on it abruptly started withering about a week ago, for no reason.  I'm crushed; this tree was beloved to me and it had been growing so well, for three years!  *sob*

The good thing about gardening, though, is that one can always plant again.  I'm already starting to consider what ornamental tree we ought to put in its place, because we won't be using a maple this time.  And there are plenty of other flowering plants in my gardens right now to make me smile.  Behold:

 This is the first year the large columbines I planted have properly flowered.  Hot diggity.

 Classic coral bells & assorted foliage

                                         Large columbine #2, hot diggity dog.

 This right here is why I love pansies:  all these are spontaneous cross-bred plants self-sown from a handful of pansies I planted years ago.  New colors crop up every year.  Alas, they are under the sick tree, so my pansy patch may be uprooted along with the tree.  *double sob* 

 Moving on!  This crazy cool flower is some species of columbine that volunteered in one of my flowerbeds.  I've never seen anything like it.  Mom?  Anyone?

 Pansies rock my world.  Look at their dear little faces.

 This gorgeous azalea may not be with us much longer either:  it has been smitten with Azalea Lace Bugs, a pest that was unknown in our area until pretty much last year. Aaaargh. 

Now there's something that cheers me up every time.