Yard Photos Taken Today: Feb 18, 2010 (Kent, WA, USA)

Crocuses are blooming all over my yard (thankfully). I bought my yellow variety two years ago by auction at the Enumclaw Sales Pavillion and have been so thrilled with their vibrant performance so early in the year I planted more! (See more colors, below!) ... note: you may double-click on ANY photo to enlarge it!White . . . (bought these bulbs from McClendon's Hardware store)
and purple stripes! {What a blessed way to welcome spring!)

I'm also fascinated by this Elderberry bush (pictured below) that I rescued from a site to be bulldozed two years ago. (Naturally I followed legal protocol for collecting it.) It grew so fast and was rather gangly-looking so I trimmed it this year, even while it's a native bush and I've never heard of anyone trimming Elderberry before. Just look at the fascinating growth on it already! I'm thrilled!

Next is my Flowering Red Currant. Obviously it's not in bloom yet -- even still, the stems offer such vibrant red for this time of year. (Beautiful!)
Here's kinnikinnick (below) looking rather tired after winter's cold but the berries add lovely color to this season. This was another plant I rescued by networking with the Native Plant Society (they gave me access, as a Watershed Steward/volunteer, after I dug up many other plants for resale at their nursery).
Next is a baby Magnolia tree that I purchased and planted last year. This tree stands maybe two feet tall but already it's showing an vibrant eagerness for spring!
My Oregon Grape transplant (another rescue) is native to Western Washington.
I just love the following pink bells on this early-budding bush!
Primroses seem to be in bloom early this year . . .
The photo below is taken of a rather small bush (about 3 feet tall now) but it sure captures everyone's attention blooming in winter as it does!
I love ground-covers that bloom. My goal is to eventually eliminate ALL of our lawn with much more colorful (lower maintenance) ground covers like this next one.
Look at the brand new blossoms on my old Rosemary bush (below).
The following fountain did not survive its first winter ... bought this at Home Depot ... it was rather cheap (think I paid $39.00). "Ya get what you paid for," the old adage goes.
My very young chickens wanted to be photographed today ... these are the "Top Hat" Polish variety and I thoroughly enjoy their company. They're all only 4 months old so they don't lay eggs yet. Meanwhile, they've made plenty of manure for the winter compost!

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