easter flowers from my garden

by Sharon Santoni

spring flowers laid out on sheet

Easter has arrived in Normandy full of Spring sunshine and happy flowers.  The perfect weekend for working in the garden, tidying those beds that have been left dormant through the winter, pruning roses and enjoying the daffodils in full bloom.

spring flowers laid out on sheet

The magnolia stellata that were planted in the new beds two years ago have really picked up speed this year and they stand in front of the house like two spotlights.  Our huge, old magnolia is covered in thousands of large pink buds just waiting to open over the next few days.

white magnolia in garden

I’ll bring you more pictures of the garden in a short while, including shots of the new parterre which are being planted right now, and you’ll finally see which plants I chose, thanks largely to your words of advice.

spring flowers laid out on sheet

spring flowers laid out on sheet

But for now, just a few pictures of the weekend garden moodboard.  Heads from daffodils, magnolia and euphorbia; tiny flowers from primula and hyacinths and even some baby leaves from a rose bush.

spring flowers laid out on sheet

Oh yes, and a quick shot of Ghetto, who is working hard to retain his title, won last year, for ‘scruffiest dog in Normandy’.

spring flowers laid out on sheet

I hope that you are enjoying the Pascal weekend, and that wherever you are you’ll be able to get outside and soak up some sunshine and colour.

white magnolia in garden

24 comments

suzanna April 6, 2015 - 12:19 pm

Just beautiful, I worked and played in my garden all weekend! I want to plant sweet olive as a border. It is easy to shape, loves being cut back, can be shaped to add privacy with a sweet flower that blooms a long time. A evergreen too! Low to maintain and I intend to shape it for privacy along my fence. I love living in a garden! Thanks for all your shares here! xo

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Aunt Dee April 6, 2015 - 12:33 pm

Ghetto’s wired haired doppelganger lives in North Carolina. He was so matted the groomer even had to shave his beard. He now looks like Dobby from Harry Potter.

How lovely to have flowers so early!

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Elvie April 6, 2015 - 12:46 pm

Sharon ,I hope you enjoyed your Easter with you loverly garden ,here in perth Western Australia ,we had a warm Easter up to 30 deg ,so was very pleasant and lots of loverly chocolate.Love to hear all the news from Normandy.

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Pat April 6, 2015 - 1:00 pm

Beautiful spring blossoms and I love the moodboard. Looking forward to the parterre reveal.
xo Pat

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chris h April 6, 2015 - 1:20 pm

BEAUTIFUL

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Karena April 6, 2015 - 1:34 pm

Hi Sharon,
I hope that you had a wonderful holiday weekend!
Your flowers are so lovely. Here the Spring bulbs are just popping up and getting ready to bloom. The vinca vine ground cover has pretty purple stars though which I love to see. Ghetto is a winner for sure!!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Gaelle April 6, 2015 - 1:35 pm

Such lovely daffodils and magnolia stellata! I have been walking each morning and marveling at the plants bursting in bloom here in Arizona. How blessed we are to have flowers where we live!

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www.ourfrenchoasis.com April 6, 2015 - 1:46 pm

Beautiful photos. Equally gorgeous down here in the Charente Maritime. Clear blue skies and endless sunshine and we are all outdoors just soaking up this fabulous weather. Just popped in for a cup of tea and then like you back out to the garden, so much to do. Cows have all been turned out in the fields, everywhere is green, a truly fantastic Easter weekend!

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Deborah April 6, 2015 - 1:47 pm

Beautiful!

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La Contessa April 6, 2015 - 2:05 pm

GHETTO!
Love that shot!
XO

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Esther George April 6, 2015 - 2:13 pm

Hi Sharon, such beautiful flowers, love the magnolia stellata, there’s one in our front garden that’s a slow grower and if possible would like to replant it in a large pot and see if it does better. We tried another magnolia called Vulcan and waited 7 years for two flowers very temperamental. Can’t wait to see the parterre, I know it’s going to be beautiful. Thank you for sharing your lovely garden. Till next time regards Esther from Sydney. PS love the scruffy dog from Normandy.

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Libby Wilkie April 6, 2015 - 2:34 pm

I am wondering what has happened to my euphorbia: it went reddish for the winter and has yet to turn green again! Some tiny, small green color at the base, but it’s going to be a long…time until they really show! I love the plant, but you do have to be careful of the allergies it can cause if the milky interior is touched!
Loving that Ghetto!!!

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Chrysanthemum April 6, 2015 - 2:40 pm

We had snow in London, Ontario, Canada on Easter morning…burr…The Easter Eggs on my little tree were shivering with their blanket of snow… However, I did enjoy spring to the fullest, last month in March, out in Langley, BC, Canada: cherry blossoms, apple blossoms, forsythia, azaleas, daffodils and tulips…so warm. I’m now waiting for my second spring in my home… The snow drops are up…..I will plant more next fall.
Love to see what is happening in Europe….

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Peggy Braswell April 6, 2015 - 2:42 pm

love the shot of Ghetto + good of flowers also. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Wendi April 6, 2015 - 2:50 pm

Winter refuses to give up its grip on Eastern Canada – the only spring flowers were the branches of forsythia that I forced and mixed with some lovely parrot tulips safe inside my home away from the snow that fell over the weekend. Your flowers are lovely, Sharon and a beacon of hope here in the frigid True North!

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Jeanne McKay Hartmann April 6, 2015 - 3:21 pm

Hello Sharon! I love a glimpse of your garden – and Ghetto, too. I could do a whole book of sketches with it as inspiration. You have such a way with flowers. Next time I’m in Paris I would love to trot out to Normandy for a little peek.

I hope you had a lovely time with your children and that your Easter was wonderful.

XOXO

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Suzanne De Pee April 6, 2015 - 3:28 pm

Gorgeous Sharon! There doesn’t appear to be a drought in Normandy, such as we are experiencing in Central California in the U.S., although some plants are beginning to come out for a short spell here now, as well. I envy your life and home in Normandy. You are one lucky gal. Ghetto is adorable. I want to hug him.

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Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon April 6, 2015 - 4:25 pm

The flower by the daffodil is so lovely. It looks like foxglove maybe? I love seeing what makes up your garden. Also love that dog. I know he has too much energy for me, but he always makes me laugh.

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Jessica Conick April 6, 2015 - 5:47 pm

Love seeing photos of Ghetto! I think he and my little Jeffrey would definitely be friends!

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tami April 6, 2015 - 6:49 pm

You have my dream dog!! Can you please tell me what is the breed? TIA

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Heather in Arles April 6, 2015 - 6:55 pm

You know how much I love these photos and I hope you remember my advice about printing/selling them – I know I am right!
Joyeuse Pâques,
Heather

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Leslie in Oregon April 6, 2015 - 11:10 pm

Glorious flowers and beautiful Ghetto…a perfect combination. What do you think Ghetto was thinking when you took his photograph? His expression and body language are priceless! Thank you for introducing me the adjective “Pascal” means and reminding me to plant some more Euphorbia, Leslie

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joann caramanica March 1, 2016 - 7:41 pm

very pretty. Spring flowers are just so happy!!

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joann caramanica March 1, 2016 - 7:42 pm

I just love spring flowers…they are so beautiful!!

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