As days become ever warmer in Michigan, my dormant garden is waking up.

Slowly at first, the small amount of grass snaking between the flower beds “greens up”. Too early to do much, I spend a day doing clean up of stray leaves, pruning and picking up remains of last years annuals.

Soon after, the first flower appears – a miniature iris.

Following that pale pink snow glories planted in an old fire pit burst into bloom.

Pink and purple hyacinth and multi-colored daffodils emerge, seemingly overnight. Winter creeper and violets, reliable thick ground cover are bringing forth green with their tiny purple flowers.

Walking around, I observe beginnings of hostas and lily of the valley sprouting, my peony tree, iris and bachelor buttons are showing their greens, blooms are weeks away.

Tulips are above ground though tightly closed, holding back blooms until temperatures are more favorable.  A sign of spring is my small patch of bluebells which are just blooming, returning briefly but faithfully each year.

I spy the first tiny buds on my clematis and lift the sprouts up to the trellis that they will climb  spring through fall. Several bleeding hearts (white and fuchsia when they bloom) are out of the ground and double in size each day. My poppies are making their presence known as their prickly greens fill in the flowerbeds.

In my herb garden, only chives are showing themselves however if past years are an indicator, cilantro and thyme will follow. Flat leaf parsley, rosemary, basil and sage will be planted as soon as there’s no danger of frost.

The last few days I’ve been spreading pine bark nuggets and mulch to cover areas that will fill in with perennials. I fill the bird bath and bring out my “garden art”.  I’ve added eight new solar lights along the little pebbled path that borders the largest flower bed.

At this time of year, my palms get itchy in anticipation of gardening. I can’t wait to feel the soil as I dig bare-handed into the dirt, without concern of bugs, worms and toads.  With warm days (and soon warm evenings) our home seems to double in size as we spend more time on the deck, enjoying the beauty of nature.  Lilies, sweet peas, columbine, sedum, hydrangeas, roses and other perennials will join this bloom fest. The palette is ever-changing.

It is my haven, my sanctuary.

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Writing 101 Assignment: Day Nineteen: Don’t Stop the Rockin’. Today is a free writing day. Write at least four-hundred words, and once you start typing, don’t stop. No self-editing, no trash-talking, and no second guessing: just go.

I did 400 words – on the nose – but had to add pictures as I don’t see how I could talk about this beauty and not share it. I hope you enjoy it!