Spring... The Performance Begins

Although it may not look like much now I am sure it will get a standing ovation when it has completed it's song!

Today I actually went out and did some gardening. It felt so good. I pruned back the wisteria and the clematis. My feet got a little wet when the snow got in by shoes as I was venturing to the compost pile but it was worth it!

The crocus are starting to bloom.

The daffodils are peaking out. 

Hopefully I will be out again soon... sigh.

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.

I Should Have Started More Seeds

Can you believe this cost $56? I went to the garden centre to buy bedding plants this week and was amazed at the cost. I was trying to be thrifty too. Next year I am going to try to start more flowers from seed. I usually start vegetables and perennials but next year....

Speaking of vegetables, my garden is coming up nicely. You can see onions, lettuce, peas and those are tomatoes (that I started from seed) behind those bags. I have also planted beans this week. Last night Clare (my husband) also planted some things. But I noticed this morning that he failed to label anything so it will be a surprise. Hmmmmm...

The bachelor's button have bloomed this week. I planted them years ago int the garden and they have self seeded all over. After they bloom I just pull out the ones I don't want.

The Camassia is showing off well.

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

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.