Springtime seems to finally be making its presence known in Minnesota, where winter likes to hold on with icy talons for as long as possible. Despite its best efforts and a lingering chance of snow, my crocuses have pushed forth their heads and the grass is beginning to green. I find myself perusing seed catalogs, visiting greenhouses, and waiting anxiously for the return of hummingbirds.
One of the many things I love about England, where my novels are set, is the early arrival of springtime, with its proliferation of spring flowers and the country’s many beautiful gardens. I wish I were there now!
Instead, I have been relishing the pages of the book, In the Garden with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson with its lovely photos and quotes about gardens, like:
To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment.”
—Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
The garden is quite a love… I go and refresh myself every now and then, and then come back to Solitary Coolness.”
—Jane Austen, letter about her brother’s garden
I also want to take this opportunity to invite all of you to join Inspirational Regency Readers (a group on Facebook) for an English-garden round of Regency Bingo and a chance to win English-garden-themed prizes, like this one.
Players will pick 16 words from our list of Regency garden-related words and email them in. Then, watch the videos and keep track of the words mentioned. In these videos, authors Erica Vetch, Michelle Griep, and I will draw garden-themed words and briefly explain them. When 16 of your words are chosen, you have a chance to win Bingo. It’s easy and free to play and I hope you will join us. The more the merrier!
In the meantime, has spring fully sprung where you live? Are you planning to plant a garden this year? I’d love to hear about it.
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Beautiful photos! I would love to be in an English garden. I’m not able to do as much in my yard now for a number of reasons, but love the return of spring here in Virginia. We are always up and down at this time of year – one day 40’s and the next 70’s. Today we’re expecting a high of 76, Sunday was 49. My cherry tree has already bloomed and my azaleas are starting to bud. Lovely to be in a garden!Thank you for this post. I might try the Bingo.
Thank you, Betty. I’ll bet Virginia and your cherry tree are beautiful now. Please do join us for Bingo. It’s fun!
So beautiful! We had snow yesterday. Heavy, wet, cold. Brrrr. My daffodils and tulips did not appreciate it! Neither did the cat!
Snow on daffodils and tulips? No fun. Is your cat indoor/outdoor? Mine does NOT like the cold either.
Oh to be in England! Alas… I am not. I live in Alberta, Canada. (Enough said, right?) Everything here is, well, far from an English garden, to say the least. Most of the snow is gone, though we received some last night, but aside from that it is very brown here. I think every spring I wish I was in England! Or maybe the Caribbean… lol
I’m with you, my lady. I’d love to be in England right now. The Caribbean doesn’t sound too bad either.
I’m visiting Arizona and the desert is in bloom. It is so beautiful. It will be hard to return to Minnesota and the cold.
Oh, that will be hard. And it’s looking cold and wet for the next few days.
Sitting in a true English garden is on my bucket list. Love the photos and dreaming of such views.
Thank you, Deborah. You would love it. Though your home, porch, and grounds are incredibly beautiful, too!