Frost!

We had frost Wednesday night. Luckily I was on the ball and covered up my favourite hosta. Unlike last year when it suffered greatly from frost damage.

This is what was under the sheet. Hosta sum & substance one of the largest leafed hostas. It's large leaves are very dramatic in the garden and add a nice contrast to the other plants in the garden.

This is the same garden 24 hours later and the hosta is suffering no ill effects. That's Codie dancing through the forget-me-nots.

The apple blossoms are about to burst.

I am so excited the plum tree is full of blossoms. This is the second summer I have had the tree. Last year I got one plum - it was delicious! Hopefully this year I will have more to share.

I believe it is called a stanley plum. This is what it should look like in September.
(in my dreams)

Not only cats like the catmint.

This spurge looks good with the pasque flower in the background that has gone to seed. 

Here is a closer look at that beautiful seed head.

Now I think I better go outside and cover up that hosta again. I'm taking no chances.

I hope I can find it in the dark. I also hope my neighbours don't see me... they already think I'm a bit crazy. I don't want them to think I'm gardening in the dark, although that is not a bad idea..... gotta go

There. The Vegetable Garden is Started.

I planted some seeds in the vegetable garden today.  These include: sugar peas, snap peas, lettuce, spinach and onions. Now it just needs to rain.

The tomato seedlings are coming along nicely. As soon as I get a chance, I plan on transplanting them into larger pots and putting them in the greenhouse.

This garden is filling out nicely with the ground phlox being the star.

I've had this primrose forever. It was a gift from my sister. I love the soft yellow colour of the flowers.

The serviceberry is just starting to bloom. In another few days the whole tree will be covered in flowers. 

This is a wayfaring tree/shrub. I love this shrub because the bugs don't. The leaves are always so perfect.

Blooms Away!

The rock cress has just started to open along the south facing wall behind the garage.

I bought this plant at a roadside nursery on the way to the cottage. The woman who sold it to me called it a pea plant. I wish I new it's real name.

I love the lime green colour of this spurge.

This honeybells hosta is always the first to leaf out in the spring. Last year it suffered terribly from frost bite - I'll have to keep an eye on the weather and cover it this year.

This bergenia looks pretty even with it's winter leaf damage.

These tulips pictured earlier are now fully open in all there glory.

Why can't I remember what this is called?  Hmmmmmmm... I know it will come to me sooner or later.

Spring Surprises

As I walk around my garden I discover bulbs that I don't remember planting - colours that I did not buy. I think it is a combination of squirrels and my failing memory. One of these years I should organize them all and do a little planning for the next spring.... but I keep forgetting. Never the less they are such a joy to see and I love surprises.

These tulips are showing there beauty.

This tulip is on the north side of the house and stretching for the sun.

This daffodil tucked behind a cedar, seems to be saying "Here I am." 

This lone hyacinth was rescued from the vegetable garden and given a place of prominence at the back door. 

A Head Start

The white Pasque Flower has finally opened. It is a nice compliment to the purple one which is nearby.

I love this Pasque Flower so much I keep taking pictures of it every time I go out with my camera. It is fully open here.

I have finally started my tomatoes and they are coming up nicely.

I have started Tomato - Sweetie,Tomato - Celebrity Hybrid, Tomato - Cluster Grande Hybrid, Flowering Tobacco - Only the Lonely (height 60 inches!), and Ornamental Grass - Red Rooster.

I hope to plant these soon:  Gaillardia - Arizona Sun, Rudbeckia - Autumn Forest, and Rudbeckia - Cherry Brandy.

All my seeds are from OSC seeds in Waterloo, Ontario. You can check them out online at: http://www.oscseeds.com/ 

This Week's Attractions

The pasque flower has so much character - one of my favourites.

The seed heads are just as beautiful as the flower and the foliage always looks good. 

I cannot remember the name of this little gem... but it has multiplied nicely.
Update: I looked it up and I believe it is a Scilla.

Pulmonaria longifolia or you might know it by it's common name lungwart is beautiful the way it starts out blue and turns to pink. 

Of course none of this can be attended to without Codie, my new garden helper. 

Coming attraction.