White and yellow

Yes, the sun is out and stronger than ever, although it really is too much this early in the season.  Temperatures have been high 70's to low 80's.  The bees are busy, the clay soil is rock-solid once again, and watering my latest plantings is a top priority.

Ah, but the flowers...!  The freesia are blooming, and I've got a pot of them next to my armchair on the porch.  Smells heavenly!

While many daffodil bulbs disappeared during the construction of the front walkway, some have survived and are slowly awakening.

The simple whites are my favorite

 Isn't the sun simply blinding?

I've seen some neighbors checking out my calleryana flowering pear tree, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more of these around the neighborhood soon.

  

Pompoms or snowballs?  Can't decide.

Guess who else is happy the sun is back!

As for me, I'm holding out for the rain to return...

Fall Foliage

We planted two large trees last February, a Pyrus calleryana and a Ginkgo Biloba, and this is their first display of autumnal color.  It's not much, but here in LaMancha there isn't much in the way of fall foliage anyway.

Ginkgo and Pyrus

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is starting to cover the stone-faced retaining wall by the garage. 

The variation in color is spectacular.

Here, it's interesting to see how the overlayer is red and the underlayer is yellow. 

 On the other side of the wall, fall color is provided by Parthenocissus, nandina domestica, abelia and a little mum.

 Migrating cranes flying over my house are another sure sign that autumn is well underway.

I'm linking up with Christina at My Hesperides Garden for Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day.  

Stop by to see her wonderful Italian garden.