Garden Pleasures

My mother has lived here in the Geer Village since 2004 -- just a year after it first opened. One of the many things I like about this place is the center courtyard. Over the years I have especially enjoyed seeing how the garden in the center has evolved. However, this is the first time I have been here in a season warm enough to see it in bloom.  When I arrived here in late March this was the site that greeted me the following morning:

Not particularly inviting! What a difference a Spring makes ... A few days ago I took a picture from the Art room down the hall to get an overall view of the feature garden:

Since this picture was taken we have had several warm sunny days and things are 'bustin out all over'! I went down there a few hours ago with my camera and my first real exploration of the garden.

  

 

On the left is a lacy hydrangea tree! It should bloom all summer. I have one in England that is growing up one of the walls -- but I like this idea of a tree. Maybe I'll take a shoot from the wall and try to grow one! Does anyone  know the magenta colored flower next to the Iris in the photo below?





I have always wanted to have a water feature and I love this one -- it was tempting to make a little film so you could hear the water trickling down the rocky steps. And I just love this little frog: The little bear is kinda cute too, but he's just not letting it all hang out like little 'froggie'.

Years ago I spent many hours in the garden. One of the down sides to having a summer home in France is that we don't do much more than pots and hanging baskets. I tried my hand at having a water feature but it wasn't really a success. Thank goodness for geraniums, impatiens and petunias!

Lovely day and a fun exploration. And from what I see, lots to come throughout the summer and fall.

Addendum: That red plant is a clematis! I'm not sure which one, but Red Pearl or Red Clematis are strong possibilities! I still have not found that Iris ...