The hint of spring hit us these past few weekends when temperatures hit the eighties.  Every year around this time I begin daydreaming about all I want to accomplish in the garden.

Last week I was in the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas for business and took pictures of their ever-changing botanical gardens.  The hotel was celebrating Chinese New Year. (as intricate as the garden exhibit is, I would imagine they keep them on display for at least 30 days or longer).  Seeing the beauty of their display only increased my eagerness for some sprucing up in my own garden.

I felt like I was viewing a Rose Parade float—each part of the costume and surrounding background was made of flowers.

Further inspiration was provided by my good friend and gardening guru, Carla.  Who needs the Bellagio when you can visit Carla?

My entry has been an area I wanted to replant.  The urn to the left of the door needed a change, the Japanese boxwood that had been planted there for a couple of years had started looking woody and sparse.  With Carla as my adviser we went nursery hopping…I picked up a lovely mother fern, grape hyacinth and some white violas.  They will certainly announce SPRING with green, white and blue beauty!

The juniper that sits in the large planter to the far right of the front door needed to be replaced and I used a new variety of juniper (I apologize, I don’t have the name with me, if you’re interested I can look it up) and surrounded it with cineraria.

The crested planter has a couple of ferns and some cyclamen that are still doing well.  Once our warm weather becomes a daily occurrence they will need to be replaced.

I believe it’s time to begin planning for the back yard.

Spring is on its way!  I hope it arrives in your area soon.

 Visit No Minimalist Here to read about the talented Stone Gable author, Yvonne.  Lovely home, delicious recipes and beautiful garden, all in one.

I’m also linking with Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party #5