Today we’re checking in with Sue in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where spring has arrived.

It is just the beginning of all the blooms, but after the cold and gray and brown of winter, I’m excited to see color in my front garden. Sabrina, my cat, insists on being in most of my garden photos. The leveling and planting of the front garden is the result of five years of hard work.

Sabrina the cat poses with tulips (Tulipa hybrids, Zones 4–8) and phlox (Phlox subulata, Zones 3–9) coming into bloom and the silvery bushes of lavender (Lavandula, Zones 5–9) just waking up after winter.

Phlox planted at the edge of a retaining wall tumbles over the edge beautifully.

This look down the front garden shows the two different levels. Tulips and phlox dominate right now, with bearded irises (Iris hybrids, Zones 3–9) ready to come on a little later.

Close-up of a tulip

Here is the bright color that’s so welcome once spring finally gets here!

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