Garden Delights - Look What's Blooming Today

As I wandered through the garden today I was delighted to see the purple sand cherry blossoms.

I had forgotten how pretty they were and they brought a smile to my face.

I then wandered on and was pleased to spot this little white pasque flower. It blooms a little later than the purple one which is past its prime as seen in the following photos.

I should not have said "past its prime". I take that back because once the flower fades this beautiful seed head remains for weeks. I think it's as beautiful as the flower.

The creeping veronica has also come into flower. This plant is such a pretty blue 

which is hard to find in the garden.

As I moved on I spotted these tulips that I did not plant. Thank you squirrels, good job! 

One of the things that I enjoy so much about gardening is that every day it changes and brings new delights. If I am gone a few days I cannot wait to tour the garden to see what has gone on while I was away. 

I wonder what she is thinking. 

Oh No Snow!

This is what I woke up to yesterday morning. What a disappointment after all the nice 

weather we have been spoiled with.

I immediately went outside to check on my plants which were covered with snow.

Oh the hostas.... I know they cannot tolerate this. 

I think the lambs ear will be ok...

and the bergenia should be fine.

But... Oh the hostas!

Well we should know in a few days what sort of damage there is. Also, to top it off today I woke up to FROST! So there I was before I even had my morning coffee spraying my plants with water. I heard this somehow helps. I don't know why but it was worth a try. Anything to save my plants... I know I'm obsessed, but what can one do.

I promised an update on my pond filtration system and how it has worked, so here is a before and after. It has really cleared up. I believe it is largely due to the UV light filter, but the colder weather could be helping also. Hopefully when the weather warms up it will remain that way.

Time to Start Picking the Flowers Again

I thought it was time to get out my favourite vase and go out to the garden to pick some flowers again. 

This is what I cam back with - helleborus and forget-me-not. I've never picked the helleborus before because my plant was not big enough but finally I was able to spare a few. I am surprised, they are lasting quite well.

Here is a closer look.

Catching Up - last May 2011

I have not posted anything since early spring so I thought I would go through my pictures and post a few. I'll start with May and see how far I get in the next couple of weeks. So here they are.

This is the rock garden just above the pond. At one time there was a waterfalls running down through it but it has since deteriorated due to frost. Someday I would like to redo it. Blooming in this garden you can see, ajuga, rock cress, iberis candytuft and catmint.

This is the same rock garden but looking down at it from the patio behind the garage.

And here's a closer look at the iberis candytuft with the hosta. In the back you can see the catmint

This is the garden and patio behind the garage. The large hosta in the foreground is Sum and Substance. Luckily there was no frost damage this year unlike last spring. I've had to get rid of my adirondack chairs this year because they were rotting. They just don't seem to last. Someday I will splurge and get the composite ones.

This is affectionately known as the Wheatboy Garden. It runs down the side yard into the back. You can see the lilacs blooming and the ornamental rhubarb.

Below the rock garden is the pond. It is just starting to come alive. Codie likes to hang out here and stalk the frogs.

Here I am planting the vegetable garden. Of course Codie is always right there helping out. :)

Spring... Finally

It has been a long winter and the anticipated coming to life of the garden, has finally happened. Here are some of the flowers that have bloomed in my garden in the past couple of weeks. 

I really like this hellebore but I only wish it showed up better in the garden. It's dark colour makes it difficult to see, but if you get up close it is beautiful.

The charm of this lungwart is in the way it starts out pink and then turns blue. 

These double tulips speak for themselves.

The green in this tulip is so exquisite. 

Every spring I am amazed by the allure of the pasque flower.

FROST, What a Killjoy

Look what the frost did to my hosta. I was so disappointed to see how it was damaged. Hopefully I can cut off the injured leaves and it will come back. 

And then there is this pure wisteria bud...it never made it to flower.

Here is another sad little fellow. I was looking so forward to seeing these flowers.

But then as I was inspecting the plant closer I found a lone survivor. That made my day.

After the Rain

Everything always looks so nice and fresh after a rain. Here is a view of the patio from the deck, with my old weathered adirondack chairs replaced with some of my patio furniture from the deck. It looks more inviting with the adirondacks but I just can't seem to get them to last in this weather. Someday I hope to splurge and buy the recycled plastic ones, that look just like wood.

I've been working hard at protecting my sum & substance hosta from the frost and it is looking great. Now we just have to get through this cold spell.

The lady's mantel always looks good after a rain with the water droplets on its leaves. It is a spring favourite with it's lushness.

A closer look at an oriental lily. I like them because you can stick them almost anywhere for a bit of colour and the foliage looks good all season.

The pasque flower seed heads just call out to be photographed.

My iberis candytuft has come back well after almost loosing it last year to winter kill. I started this plant from seed (courtesy OSC Seeds) 18 years ago now, and am glad to see that it is still going strong.

The catmint is in it's prime.

Another view of the rock garden. The gardens are filling out nicely now.

I love the way the ferns uncurl.

I was trying to take a picture of the apple blossoms but Codie kept getting in the way so I gave up and took a picture of her instead. 

Breaking News - Wisteria Buds Sighted

Buds have been sighted on my wisteria! I can't believe it. The last time it bloomed was in 2002. I had almost given up on it. I must thank the blogger (who's name I cannot remember) who described how she pruned her wisteria. I went out and pruned mine and voila! I can't wait to show everyone the flowers. I'm so excited.

Here is my serviceberry in full bloom. It is finally getting to a good size.

The ajuga has come into bloom in the rock garden along with the phlox. Just behind it I am noticing the chives which I think I will put on my salad tonight. (good thing I took this picture or I might not have noticed) The catmint in the background is just starting and will put on quite a show in a day or two.

These are some little Lady's Mantle seedling which I dug up from the garden. They will either be gifts or end up as filler in some pots on my deck. I think I'm going to dig up some more. They are all over the place.

Codie - need I say more.

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