More Purchase

We did find an oriental poppy at Plymouth Nursery. It cost $10 so it better live. We're saving the receipt in case it does die.

We also purchased another lovely rose bush--wild blue yonder. It's the same one that did not make it through the season last year. It was only $10 more than the oriental poppy--go figure.

New Plants

Yesterday we went to two places to pick up plants. We found many that were just right.

Coleman's
14 more white campanulas to go along the front walkway
2 coreopsis; early sunrise; 18" with yellow flowers; full sun; blooms in summer
2 asters; alpinus gollath: 10" with lavender flowers; full sun; blooms in June
2 pussy toes; antennaria dioica; 6" with light pink flowers; full sun; ground cover with silver leaves

Home Depot
2 catmint; nepeta wakers low; 10" plus flowers; lavender; full sun; blooms in summper

We could not find some oriental poppies. I'm a little discouraged about getting some to grow. I'm checkin with the Laws to see if they have some I can have.

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.

New in the Garden

We took a walk about tonight and saw so many wonderful things. I spent a week in Boston and when I came home all this had happened. The pear trees and in bloom and the tulips have opened. Just click on the pictures to see a large view.



The north side has moss phlox and the pear tree. The daffodills are fading as are the grape hyacinths (they need to be moved where they can be seen.)

The tulips along the south of the garage have opened, but there are still many more to come.

Forsythia

Sunday the forsythia were starting to bloom. It is so wonderful to see the bit of yellow everywhere. I love this bit of color and cheer after the dead winter.

I'm in Boston and there are forsythia everywhere, plus the buds on the trees are starting to show. They are about a week ahead of us in Michigan. By the time I get back the forsythia should be in full bloom. Spring is finally here.

Camilla's Request

The daffodils have bloomed and provide a welcome spot of yellow in the bare garden. On the north side, the entire group came up again on schedule. However, the south side only about 50% came up this year. I am a bit disappointed and will need to transplant some from the north side to the south. The south side is shaded by the house and probably didn't get the sun it needed for the 2nd year growth.




The buds on the lilac are really swollen and there is a tinge of green. Spring is on its way.



The garden is still very much asleep, but Camilla wanted to see pictures anyway.

Snow

Well it finally hit us--after hitting Wyoming and Kansas. We got 4 inches of snow last night and it is still snowing. The roads aren't bad though. I'm not too concerned about my flowers unless we get freezing rain. We generally get an April snow--sometimes much later in the month. it should clear out in a few days and be warm again.