I've heard that bamboo can be invasive,

thankfully this bamboo isn't. 

This seems to be a fairly common bamboo

in this area.

 It is such a peaceful plant don't you think?

Pieris is a plant used extensively in the Seattle area,
for good reason of course. I've shown you
the brilliant red flowered one before.
Did I mention they don't distress over neglect?
While the flowers are interesting today they
are upstaged by the new foliage.

In my yard there grows a plant that doesn't know
I'm supposed totake care of it! |
Wallflower could be considered a weed, as it
shows up where it wants and thrives in the oddest places
(under an evergreen, dry and shady).
I'm always surprised by the sweet fragrance
and bright colors in early spring by the flowers.

Crocus were blooming a few
weeks ago and these
were so very vibrant. 

I'm not sure what shrub this is, a very lovely one though.
Growing in the Seattle area.

An up close and personal view of my

Amaryllis.
 This is the one Amaryllis that
I've been able to get to flower more than once!
Amazing what they look like and slightly weird.

Many of the streets in the PNW greet us
with flowering trees in the spring,
 as do many areas of the country.
What a beautiful site.

Viburnums come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
flowers in early spring with many being
quite fragrant. They withstand the coldest
winter and the heat of summer.
What's not to love?

Hyacinth; another plant it and forget it.
Every spring it greet you with brilliant colors
and heady fragrance. Enjoy!

Little Muscari, plant it and forget it.
It may be small and it also accepts neglect,
no matter it's beautiful.

Happy little Forget Me Not!
 I've always been happy to see this little Alaska state flower.
It reseeds itself and blesses us with its cheerfulness every spring.

What a vibrant Primrose.
This one I found growing in Mukilteo.

Pasque flower is honestly one of the easiest flowers you can grow.
Plant it where it will get sun and won't be too wet.
The plant is from the tundra which assures us
that it doesn't need any help from us.
An interesting note; medically it's used to treat cataracts.

I should know more about this shrub
as it is in my yard!
Ed Hume includes the Pieris as one of his favorites.
A very common shrub in the PNW most commonly seen
with white flowers.
This lovely red was found at
at big box store.
I'm happy I brought it home,
it flowers in early spring and takes to being ignored.

A beautiful addition to the garden.
Star Magnolia graces us in early spring
at the Carl S Jr Botanical Gardens.

In no way does this picture show you

the majesty of the Giant Redwood.
This one is growing in Ballard near the Locks.

What is this shrub?
I think it is part of the Arbutus Menziesii family.

Natives to the PNW, the Madrone is a large
and amazing tree. This one is more shrub like.
Someone out there know for sure?

This Oregon Grape is just starting to flower in Ballard, WA.

I really enjoy this bright yellow but also greatly appreciate
the other more subtle colors.

This one grows in my yard;
just buds no flowers here.

Beautiful. Pink Star Magnolia.

This bright pink is a hardy native currant which
requires little in care but gives much.
If you want a hummingbird attractant grow one of these.

I never tire of the pansies face, amazing how perfect
they are even with slug nibbles.

The Rhubarb leafing out.

The Bergenia is quite common in the Seattle area.
The plant is rather hardy and requires little care.
The flowers are early spring and quite pretty.

Pansies are so colorful. Love to grow them, so easy.

The easy to grow Anemone is easy to miss
 as the flowers are rather small.
This vibrant little flower is
also known as Windflower.

This is a Darwin Barberry, at first I thought it was a type of Oregon Grape!
It is the most vibrant colored one I've ever seen.
This was taken at the botanical gardens at the Ballard Locks.

This lovely Camellia is growing under an evergreen, hence the pine needles!

This Camellia grows in my yard.
 It means quite a bit to me.
It was flowering when I moved in,
it was the welcoming party.

The hummingbirds seemed to really enjoy these Camellias.

Did I mention I am in LOVE with the Camellia!

I am absolutely in LOVE with the Camellia's.
When I moved to the PNW I was very happy to see them all over
and in all different styles and colors. Come back for more.