The fertile soils (former wetlands) and Mediterranean climate of the Sacramento Valley provide an ideal environment for growing. The winters are temperate, the summers warm – cooled by Delta breezes. Old trees in established neighborhoods provide frost protection and shade from the blazing late July and August sun. Buildings create closed spaces blocking cold winds that can otherwise quickly freeze fragile plants. As a result, microclimates can be a full zone apart from an area just a few minutes away.
The Memorial Garden is in the country not far from Sacramento – surrounded by flat rice fields. It soaks up sun, but cools off quickly with nothing to block the wind. That’s a wonderful air conditioning system in the summer when breezes come off the wet fields, but it delays our spring, keeping nights and early morning temperatures cool cold.
So, while we wait for our full spring to burst forth at the garden (and while some of you still wait out winter) I made a return trip to the Sacramento City Cemetery, which sits not far from the river, but in the middle of town. Sheltered, and blanketed with old trees, it boasts a much milder growing environment. You might remember my last, late summer visit captured in the post From Whence They Came. I was anxious to see what it looked like in spring. It did not disappoint. Enjoy.
Gardens For Goldens 
Hard to believe just 2 months ago we had freezing temperatures. It looks like you were really enjoying the use of your camera today. Hard to pick a favorite picture, but i would say the hummingbird is mine.
Got all my house gardening done in time to capture that late afternoon sun. The hummingbird was a wonderful surprise! He snuck up on me 🙂
Spectacular. The detail you capture with your photos is amazing. I love the vibrant colours – wish the flowers here in London had some sunshine to grow towards.
And we wish we had the climate for English cottage gardens, Emily! We can all live vicariously through each other. 🙂
You are a wonderful photographer. The flowers are gorgeous. But, the hummingbird is the best – beautiful shot. Can you tell me what the purple flower is in the fifth photo from the bottom? Since we had snow yesterday, the photos are a welcome sight. 🙂
Thank you, Judy! It is the 100% the camera 🙂
The purple budding flower is a freesia. The follow the tulips and daffodils…amazingly fragrant. Think spring!
Beautiful! Jealous. And we won’t see our hummingbirds for another month.
Ah! Some of ours stay with us year round 🙂
Thank you; what a glorious journey! Your photography is pure gift!
Thank you, Kitty. Fake it ’till you make it is what I say. Have you all fooled. 🙂
Yes, thank you for sharing these magnificent photos. This, like the Garden for Goldens, is a very special garden, too!…all due to a volunteer staff that adopts a plot and plants a garden around the memorial marker or statue. It is quite an amazing place year round.
Yes, it is! I failed to mention that again…but everything tended here is by a volunteer effort. (You should see their line of wheelbarrows…envious!) They have a few more years (decades) of effort on us…but we’re getting there 🙂
Iris, poppies, tulips, hummingbirds – what a visual feast! Thanks for sharing this, Ogee – it made my heart sing.
Beautiful isn’t it? I’m gold their old rose garden is the envy of all. I will be sure to visit it next month and share it as well 🙂
Can’t wait – I love old roses.
Such incredible beauty captured by your great talent. Thank you for sharing your Sacramento spring!
Ahh…the talent belongs to the garden and the gardeners. I’m a mere witness!
Your photography is so impressive. Gorgeous shots and the close ups – stunning. You are so talented. Thank you for starting my Sunday out with visions of beauty.
I’m glad your Sunday was started well! All the credit for the shots goes to the camera and the flowers, however!
Thanks for visiting with us 🙂
Wow, I can’t believe how colourful and wonderful it’s looking and it’s only Spring there.
🙂 CALIFORNIA!!
Delightful, smile inducing loveliness! Thank you for sharing!!!!
🙂
Everyone has said it all — FANTASTIC.
🙂