It’s finally getting warm enough for the trees to burst with cherry blossoms. Is there a better sight to see in these early spring days?
Did You Know?
-There are several different types of cherry blossoms. There are the common pink and white ones, but there are also yellow and green ones.
-They come as double blossoms and single blossoms.
-In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize clouds, because they bloom in masses.
-Yes, some even produce cherries.
Happy April! It has been a busy last few weeks– between Easter and my daughter’s 5th birthday, there hasn’t been a dull moment.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do too much outside because of this crazy weather. Easter weekend was 72 degrees, and now it’s snowing and blowing! With the weather the way it is, this is the perfect time to add to the “Consider This” series I started at the beginning of the year. I think it is important to introduce and learn a little bit about the different plants you can put in your garden.
Spring is my new favorite season. I have always said that fall was, but my thought pattern has changed. This year, especially, since my winter was not one of the easiest, and I am not talking about the weather this time. I have really been anxious for new life, growth and sunshine. Lots of time outside. While the weather goes up and down, it’s still a little too drab for me outside, though signs of life are popping up a little more now than a couple of weeks ago.
I have been loving all the different floral bouquets that have been at my local grocery store. I usually end up picking up a bunch of tulips every year, but this year, I have been picking up every different flower that has been available!
I picked up calla lilies for my mother and mother-in-law for Easter (yes, and my daughter thought we should have one ourselves), a couple of mixed spring bouquets, and my pussy willows of course.
To my surprise, there was a potted flower at the store that also was something I have been reading a lot about this year. They are called Hellebores.
Hellebores have petal-like “sepals” that hold nectar.
It seems to be that Hellebores are the “It” plant of the 2016 growing season. Everywhere you turn around, there has been an article about them, and I can understand why. They are beautiful flowers with lovely delicate blooms.
Here are some things you need to know about Hellebores:
This plant is an excellent addition to your garden because:
Did you buy one in your local grocery store like I did? You can put it in the ground!
Consider Hellebores for your landscape. It’s one of the few plants that gives some life to the end of winter and that drab time in early spring before everything starts blossoming. You will be glad you did!
Spring is here!! Even though it’s 10 days away, I am loving the warm weather we are getting in my neck of the woods. Winter has never really felt long weather-wise, but I have been a little distracted with other things that have kept me away from really thinking about what I wanted to do for the garden this year.
With beautiful signs like this, you can’t help but get excited for this coming growing season.
So, I am now making my list of new plants I would like to get this year. It’s so hard because year after year, you visit the same greenhouse or lawn center and you see the same type of plants every year. How about something a little different?
Do not be afraid to add unusual plants to your landscape.
Where do I find “different” plants if they are not at my local nursery?
What is considered “unique”?
I am not talking about some ultra exotic plant from the jungle, but plants that you don’t see often and bring huge satisfaction and value to your landscape. Here are some plants that I have been looking to plant this year:
Source: whiteflowerfarm.com
This is my main plant I would like to purchase this year. It’s a beautiful small tree/shrub that blooms in the winter– yes, that’s right, the winter. This is something you don’t always see a part of your neighbor’s landscape. Consider this beauty to brighten up those long winter days.
2. Ruby Teardrops Spruce
Source: coniferkingdom.com
Ok, I am really loving this beautiful spruce, but I am not sure where it would go in my yard. I really have to rethink the layout of my “spread”, but I am pretty sure this stunning specimen will be worth the extra work. This is definitely for the conifer lover, or some one who just wants to add a little pop next to the other more common conifers you have on your property.
3. Peonies
Source: whiteflowerfarm.com
I described in a past post that I had planted some peonies in tribute to my grandmother.This is a new variety of peony that would really get people asking some questions. You don’t often see a yellow peony, but this is definitely worth taking into consideration, just to keep people guessing as to what it was!
And finally…what I believe will be the tribute plant to my recently passed grandmother:
4. Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, also known as Corkscrew Hazel
Source: halesia.nl
Another family member of the hazel family, the contorted branches of this specimen also have some of the most eye-catching blooms on it. Talk about winter interest– the branches on this shrub will make a great talking piece for anybody who passes through your property! Different and beautiful– exactly what my grandmother Joyce was. I don’t think anything else would fit as good!
All of these plants are not cheap– most average around $35 per plant. I understand completely that landscaping does cost a lot of money, and I have written posts in the past about gardening on a budget. Well, as my learning and interest have grown with gardening, I really do believe that plants and shrubs and trees are a tremendous investment for much more than the obvious reasons. It truly is an investment that “grows”. The pure joy and satisfaction I get from investing in a few of these more expensive plants every year are worth much more than a manicure or pedicure to me. As long as you budget and plan for a couple of more pricey plants with your discount finds (trust me, this is where I make my haul every year), it actually ends up evening out.
Gardening on a budget is great, I still buy seeds and the half dead plants at the end of the season. But, sometimes you need to splurge. So, how about passing up that fantastic pair of shoes for a great new tree just one time? You won’t feel so bad when the weather warms up and you see the fruits of your labor.
Happy early spring, and happy plant shopping!
Waiting out the ice storm and having tulip dreams of spring. Enjoy.
The temperature at my house currently reads 2 degrees. It is awful, and you can barely step outside. If any of you are worried about your plants being harmed by the snow and cold, have no fear.
Snow is an insulator, a mulch of sorts. It protects your plants from winter’s harshness. It allows water to move efficiently through the root system. Bottom line: you want snow in winter, it does wonders for your garden!
Don’t worry, this little guy is going to be OK!
Have a great President’s weekend!
Afternoon walks can be beautiful. Enjoy.
Yes, the temperatures have finally felt like winter around here, but with very little snow, it’s hard to think of it as such. On my lunch walk, I love to take pictures of Buffalo Harbor. This is a picture I took a few weeks ago. Enjoy.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving– the weather was perfect here– good enough to take a nice walk along our new canal path and feed the ducks in the nearby park!
However, the days to follow were not so nice. I have still have not had a chance to plant anemone bulbs like I wanted, and I hoping this weekend will be the one, or they are going in containers!
I went to my parents and celebrated Thanksgiving this past Saturday, and it was cold and rainy. I was able to sneak out of the house and go take a walk in the woods. I escaped to the pines my father planted when he was a boy. Of course, I couldn’t help but take a picture. Or two. Enjoy.
It’s Thanksgiving already, and I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I am particularly thankful for the weather we have been having– a little cold, but no snow just yet (Thank you, El Nino).
I am also thankful because it’s this far into November and the ground has not frozen yet, which means you can still plant spring bulbs! Most places have slashed prices over 50% off, which means you can still spend some time outside before the weather really starts turning.
So, how about you #optoutside this Black Friday and get some bulbs in the ground rather than fighting with the crowds– there will be deals throughout holidays, but time is precious when it comes to playing with your garden!
I hope everyone has a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
These Anemone bulbs will be planted the day after Thanksgiving. Much more relaxing than fighting the crowds! (Special thanks to my husband for making this turkey out of my new bulbs!)
Have I told you how much I love fall?? Haha, yes, I have mentioned it before, and for good reason. The transitional season that will be ushering us into winter is so spectacular in its own right, with the leaves on the trees turning vibrant colors, you can’t help but be in awe of such beauty.
All spring and summer we takes hundreds of pictures of our gardens, posting them on every social media outlet we can, and blogging about them. But, do we ever think about taking pictures of our gardens as they wind down? I was doing some last-minute yard work this weekend — putting away my garden decor for the season, and I couldn’t help but notice the beauty that surrounded me, despite the imminent ending to another growing season.
So, here is a collage of pictures from the garden as it nears its end. I hope you take a look at yours and feel the same way too!
The Bent Trowel 