Is it summer yet?

If you're like me and live in a place where summer is short but sweet, you may be wishing for green leaves, black dirt and a warm breeze right about now instead of dirty snow, winter boots and frost bite.

Don't get me wrong, I do like winter and there's nothing like a white Christmas...but...yawn, I'm ready for flip flops and flowers.

Here are a few pick me up photos I found in my computer archive of beautiful yards. California may be at risk of breaking off into the North Pacific, but between now and then thay've definitely got some perks that have got me seeing green...

Excerpts from Garden Design Magazine Sept/Oct 2005