Good Medicine

I was feeling rather low today. However, it was a beautiful day and after lunch we went to work in the garden. It was heavenly being out there seeing all the new things growing.

The redbud tree is now in bloom. It is doing well and the trunk is thick enough for us to remove the three supports. I just wish it were taller. I suppose in time it will grow to a good height.

The bleeding heart is blooming. It isn't as full as it was last year, but still is giving a good show. Around the bleedin heart, the columbine are up as well as the candy tuft in bloom. I look for more flowers on both. I have two little pips from the lilies of the valley growing. Gee they are hard to get started.

Our heavy mulching did wonders on the butterfly bush. We already have green showing. We pruned the stems back to 15" and uncovered the heavy mulch. This is the real secret to getting these to open up in the spring. I think the roots live close to the surface and are too exposed in winter.

The lavender is growing well. Last year it took a long time to recover after cutting it back, so this year we did not cut it back at all. It has greened up nicely and I did a little trimming on it today.

Other things are up--the hydrangeas are growing well. We finally got them established. The iris are going to be gorgeous and I think we need to move some some of the roots to the south planter box so they don't crowd other plants.

The black-eyed susans are well established. Finally the astilbe are expanding. I am so glad to see that. It has taken around 4 years. The pinks are doing well and the balloon flowers are starting to grow.

I pruned the roses and the three bushes are growing, although the small one I bought at the end of the summer is doing the best. We lost the red grandiflora and will need to replace that. All three of the peonies that I transplanted are growing. I also have three on the south side that will need to be transplanted during the year. My peony garden will now be complete.

The spirea that we planted last spring are doing so well. I'm really pleased with them. However, the older ones are still struggling, but they are growing. All 4 burning bush are also growing although one of them is budding a little late

Disappointments--we didn't get the asters transplanted in time. So I lost them, but for a couple of dollars I can replace that. I still need to find more plants to go into the iris garden. I would like more color there. And the biggest was that the poppy that I nurtured so well, vanished. All that was left was a clump of dirt. I need to find a better way to get some of those going.

We spent several hours outside, weeding and taking care of the plants. We tied up three of the arborvitae that had wintered a little hard. I think they will survive nicely, though. I enjoyed myself so much. I think as the year progresses well enjoy the garden as it changes and colors come and go. I do love how wonderful it is. It refreshed me immensely.