We have lived in this house for four cycles through spring now. I love this house, and the beautiful flower garden has been an added blessing. There has been a little apple tree in the back yard since we moved it, this is the first spring it has bloomed, and bloomed beautifully.
Three falls ago I planted alium bulbs. I suspect the area is too dry for them, the leaves have turned brown before the buds have developed. This is the first spring there has been an almost bloom.
One of my earliest memories of cultivated flowers at the farm is of the beautiful common irises my great-grandmother planted. A member of the congregation graciously gave me some rhyzomes last spring. I love their deep purple colour.
Finally, and this is not actually a first, but a surprise. The first spring we were here the tulips that greeted the warmth were yellow and orange (not my favourite colour palette). I dug them all up and gave them away to who ever wanted them. Gradually I replaced them with purple and white. This spring, three years later, this is what I get, volunteers, or maybe I should say escape artists. Surprise!
Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.