Winter Garden Fantasies

What does a gardener do on a rainy February day? Too early to start seeds, to wet to bundle up and move compost, too soon to shop the seed catalogs...
I've been staying happy with the Impressionists - they all loved painting their gardens and the soft, out-of-focus colors and textures give just the impression of the flowers and plants. It feels like the artists are suggesting what I should grow without any pressure.

Renoir

Cezanne

  But Van Gogh! Really - don't you feel like planting irises as soon as possible? Big blue bearded irises all over the yard?!

 On days like today, I can spend hours imagining myself walking in these gardens, smelling the warm air and the listening to the busy insects buzzing in the flowers.  

 Tomorrow - into the garden.  Well, if the rain stops...