The second snowiest winter in Denver history: as I look at this picture of my garden in late June, I am startled at all the verdure, the lush growth...it seems like another planet, not something that will be ho hum in four months. Nothing terribly rare here: Clary sage, Achillea filipendula on the right, The speckled blue flowers under the purple shrub are on Geranium magniflorum, which I blogged about recently.

A view of the same scene looking back towards the house from the path in the middle: I took the first picture from that balcony. The orange and yellow are Glaucium spp., and the lavender purple is Salvia cyanescens.

Even the prairie garden and xeriscape look positively verdant in June....aaaah! This time of year when I look at these pictures, I yearn for heat. Of course, next June I will be looking back at winter fondly....are we mortals ever satisfied? This one was probably taken in early June. Hard to believe every winter the difference a few months of growing season makes. (Notice the Calochortus venustus on the left in the blue gramma grass, and the yellow is Eriogonum umbellatum v. aureum 'Kannah Creek', the wonderful Plant Select introduction). Summer! Can't wait!