I've noticed a lack of interest going on in this area over the last couple of months. There are several Heucheras around the edges to provide some color and as much as I like them, they don't seem to provide enough for me. I definitely need to add some more evergreen type of plants here.
I'll be getting out soon to cut back the dried Hydrangea flowers since there is lots of new growth coming now. Pine needles have collected at the base of the shrub and even though it looks a little messy, it gives the birds some great shelter. There are always Juncos and Wrens hanging out in there. More and more bulbs are popping up, in another month there will probably be at least some new flowers blooming.
Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) has the most buds I've ever seen on it. My hope is that it will eventually block part of the hose reel behind it.
This Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) and another actually came up from roots of another one that I moved years ago. This is one of my favorite Spring flowers, I love the drooping pink and white heart shaped blooms.
This view is walking up from the driveway where lots of perennials are beginning to sprout. The Japanese Maple 'Orido Nishiki' has lots of new red leaf buds on the branches. It's difficult to see how red the ends of the branches are, so pretty right now. This tree is definitely something I love about this bed.I spent time last night working on a plan for what I'd like to do with this bed. One thing I do know I'd like to add is some perennial type of gold or chartreuse colored grass that I think will look nice with the many Hostas that are already there. Maybe some evergreen ferns as well. As usual for me, the planning is almost as much fun as the planting.
The plants really enjoy snow "cleansing"..., and feel very fresh and ready to shoot and sprout and bloom. They are racing to be the winner!!
ReplyDelete~bangchik
Your house is so cute! I noticed the red branches right away - my dogwood is the same way right now.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have reminded me of a plant that I want, need and continually forget to plant--bleeding heart. I have a wild one growing nearby but it isn't in the garden proper. Well, it isn't the garden proper yet anyway. I will say though that without Bangchik's snow cleansing this year it is going to one heck of a show come actual spring.
ReplyDeleteThat bed of yours, not to mention the rest your garden, is going to be something to see and I am excited to watch it bloom this year. :-)
Being not a major garden blogger, I still like to dream. I enjoy your end of the month review. I need to trim back everything as I didn't get to it. When the snow melts, I will be out there. Your green growth gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of what you see that you like or don't like..this post is a sure sign of Spring!!
ReplyDeleteDear Catherine, You are absolutely right when you say that there is so much enjoyment to be had from thinking and planning. I do think that it is important constantly to reappraise one's garden in the belief that we may be able to improve on our previous efforts.
ReplyDeleteThe blue colour of the exterior of your house is magical. What an excellent choice and what a good background for so many colour schemes.
Hi Catherine~~ Look at your Daphne!! I can smell it already. You've got life in them thar beds. The Dicentra foliage looks very promising. It reminds me of peony. Funny, try as I might, I can't seem to see any TARPS in your photos. What are you, Anti-American? [Kidding, of course.] I planted native sword fern in my similar close-to-the- door area. They make a statement all year long and because they're NATIVE those diehards who tout such agendas should approve.
ReplyDeleteOh, it lifts my spirits Catherine to see all this green in your garden! We have one bleeding heart plants that was here when we moved in. It's always so pretty each year. I've never had Daphne but yours is going to be lovely. I know you are enjoying all the planning - have fun and keep sharing with us! Enjoy the week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI like that you find the planning as much fun as the planting! And wow, that you're so well into spring while some of us are swearing away at snowdrifts and frigid weather. Seeing posts like this reminds me that spring will find us once again. Eventually. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the color of your house. It was neat seeing the dried hydrangea blooms on the shrub, with all the new greenery popping up.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing your gardens as spring gets closer.
FlowerLady
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThat Bleeding heart came up so fast. Hard to even think about ours covered with 6 inches of snow right now.
Sigh. I am drooling over the Daphne. :) I can believe you've had a record-setting month for warmth -- your garden looks ready for spring!
ReplyDeleteEvery fall when I go gung ho with the shears chopping off dead growth, I come to regret that come winter when the birds need shelter. And like you, once the season of growth is over, I think to myself: next year I'm adding more evergreens! Hindsight is indeed 20-20!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI am so fond of my bleeding heart,and so enjoy the white flowers paired next to the yellow columbine. It is lovely to see so much happening in your garden. That Winter Daphne is just beautiful, bursting with its colorful buds. The gold or chartreuse colored grass will look just beautiful in this bed.
I can't wait to see it when it is done!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will look as lovely as the rest of your garden when you are done!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, your garden looks like mine. Hydrangeas need dead heading, and i need to get out and rake up some of the fallen leaves. I also have many bulbs peeping up out of the ground. Your Daphne sure has a lot of buds, I can imagine the fragrance when they bloom.
ReplyDeleteYour winter daphne is bursting with buds. Planning what to plant is great fun for me too.
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with what all of you are talking about, but i certainly see the beauty of sprouting beauties there, whatever they may grow like. The Bleeding heart you showed us seem to be a vigorous plant and showing very good promise. I will follow how this will develop! thanks.
ReplyDeletePlanning is so much fun, isn't it? That's a nice large bed to be walking by on one's way to your door. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteYour front walk looks so comfortable to walk up. I like a walk that doesn't have steps! I can't believe how much growth you have. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt is good for us to look back and then to what we want to change. I love your yard and how you have laid out your beds. I am so happy to see that little bit of green on your plants. Yea - spring is on its way.
ReplyDeleteThat Daphne is amazing. Everything looks good to me Catherine but then my winter weary eyes are focused on all your new, bright green, spring growth (and not on anything that might be missing). :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree about the planning being as much fun as the planting. More sometimes! It doesn't hurt your back.
That bed is off to a great start. I can't believe all the leaf buds on the hydrangea! Is it clear to cut back any time now? I've got one that needs cleaning up, too. The daphne is gorgeous already, btw. I want to add that plant out front.
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine, I wrote a rather lengthy comment on your blog yesterday, but when I went to look today to see if you responded, it was not there; thus... I love the idea of the yellow grasses and I have two kinds: a Carex "Bowles Golden" which is bright even on the darkest day; and a Molinia caerulea with a lovely purple seed head if you would like some starts.
ReplyDeletehi Catherine - thanks so much for supporting my end of month meme. Your plants seem to be about a month ahead of mine
ReplyDeleteGardeness - I usually cut back my Hydrangeas in late Winter/early Spring. I think it's probably okay now, you could always throw a sheet over it if any freezes are predicted.
ReplyDeleteDi - I've noticed a comment or two of mine vanishing before too, thanks for taking the time to recomment! I'm glad you suggested that Carex, I had seen it online and wondered how it was, now it's officially on my list. Thanks!
That's an interesting idea, Catherine. I look up at you gardeners in temperate climates who have to clean up the entire garden! It seems like a back-breaking task which I've been going through for the past month.
ReplyDeleteHi there Catherine, thanks for the tour… I really do enjoy seeing other gardens and their plants like this. I have the coral barked Acer (palmatum Sango Kaku) and its red branches are also wonderful at this time of year too. Have a good week :-D
ReplyDelete