April Projects April Blooms

 

So I think this is going to be my BIG project for April.

And this cutie is also going to be part of my stitching rotation!

Today my Mom and I decided to make good on our vow to explore gardens in our local area.  We set off to the Wallace M. Ruff Memorial Park and Magnolia Arboretum in Springfield, OR.

Founded in 1994, the 10 acre park edges Cedar Creek. 

It contains hundreds of young magnolias, a species believe to be among the oldest of all flowering plants. 

Magnolia 'Susan'

Our cold cold temperatures in December and February (-10F) were hard on the magnolias, so this was not an optimum display.

Magnolia 'Apollo' 
Nonetheless there were still some lovely trees.

Magnolia 'Alexandrina'
My mother was amused to find a Magnolia 'Elizabeth' (my name) and 'Alexandrina' (almost my sister's name) sited side-by-side.

Rufus
It turned out to be a lovely day with temperatures in the upper 60's.  No coat or sweater needed.

All the blooms had a blue sky backdrop.

I could hear hummingbirds working away in the trees though I was not able to photography any.

The park was very quiet and restful.  Just the sound of the creek and the birds.  

I was pleased to see native plants like violets, currants, and trilliums used in the beds along the park's border.

Thanks to Sue for alerting me that my April blog header photo had disappeared.  I think all is good now and the photo should show once again at the top of the web page.