Garden Walk and Giveaway

Spring is popping out all over!  
I love my garden walks this time of year because 
everyday there is something new blooming 
or emerging from the ground. 

My redbuds are leafing out and I've enjoyed

 their pink blossoms in the landscape for the past two weeks. Redbud trees are abundant in Oklahoma and signal spring is really here.    

The Japanese Maple leaves are the deepest crimson red and it's by far my favorite tree.  I planted a small one right off my patio so I could enjoy the color. 

Wisteria that I planted many years ago has reached maturity and is one of the delights in my garden.   When the wind blows (and it almost always does in Oklahoma) the scent carries throughout the garden.

Our last average frost date is April 1st and many gardeners in Oklahoma don't plant anything until April 15th.  I usually just start with potting up annuals in containers on my patio.  If we have a late frost I can easily move them and 

protect them from the cold.

I just have a hard time 

waiting until the 15th to purchase flowers!

This year I decided to purchase some larger pots and combine some of my favorite annuals for the patio.

This pot is planted with 'Lady in Red' salvia,  yellow million bells, crocosmia  'Lucifer' bulbs,  sweet potato vine and purple pansies.   This is a sure fire combo 

to attract hummingbirds.  

When the pansies die out there will be more room for the sweet potato vine.   My only problem is keeping the squirrels from eating the vine and digging up the bulbs.   
My dogs do a pretty good job of protecting my pots 

when they are outside.    

The farmer's market downtown had some beautiful lavender and I paired a Spanish variety with pink geraniums and marigolds.  All three are drought tolerant and make good companions. 

Since we are all trying to conserve water this year I am trying some new annuals that are more drought resistant.

These Gazinas are so pretty and come in a variety of colors.

They stay low and spread and look great in the front of the flower border or in pots.

The color combinations are so pretty all in one plant.   I love Gerbera daisies however I can't get them to rebloom very well in my garden so Gazinas 
will make a  great substitute. 

Lastly I would like to offer a giveaway for a

 gift card for $30 off a canvas print. 

I was asked to do a review for  

CanvasPop 
and was glad to accept the offer in exchange for a canvas and a gift card to be used for a giveaway to one of my followers.  

The canvas I received is 16 x 24 inches from a
 photo of my son while filming a documentary. 

The quality is excellent and exceeded my expectations. 

 I wasn't sure how a small photograph would 

look enlarged but it looks great! 

  He needed a poster to take to film festivals so the canvas was a great solution and the timing was perfect. 

The canvas arrived in a week and was delivered by Fed Ex.   The canvas was well packaged in bubble wrap and came complete with a wire hanger and ready to hang.  

This is a beautiful way to enjoy a special photograph 

and they offer many sizes with prices starting at $30. 

You can also create a  wonderful collage.  

What a perfect gift for Mother's Day or graduation a
canvas print would make. 

I'm already thinking of other photographs 

to have put on canvas.  

Please leave a comment to be entered for the
 $ 30 gift card
 and please follow if you haven't already. 

The folks at CanvasPop also offered a 35% discount
 to all my readers,  just use the 
code BLOOMERS35 
The discount expires April 30th, 2015.  


I will choose a winner April 17th!  




I'm linking with 

Cindy's Romantic Home
Show and Tell Friday 
and
Brenda's Cozy Little House
Tweak it Tuesday