"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Some early winter color.

This past weekend the plans for the front yard "overhaul" were officially started.   There will be less grass (as in none) and more planting beds and a picket fence.  We even ordered some grow lights and shelves so that I'll be able to start more from seed.  Our hope is that we can grow more vegetables in our front yard where it is full sun.  My hope is that I can convince my husband that he will get to be in charge of the vegetable garden, explaining that watering and weeding those beds will be a great time to unwind after a stressful day at work.  I even threw in the suggestion of having a beer while he did those things.  Now I hope that we'll have a nice dry week either late winter or early spring when we can get started. 
Until then we are having another nice stretch of dry sunny weather and everyone around here has headed out to their gardens to get a head start on weeding.  The Littlest Gardener and I worked in the side yard and path garden weeding and cutting back plants.  Again I was amazed at all that was going on.  Almost all of the Clematises have new growth, the ribes leaves are starting to open, the blueberry bushes all have leaf buds - some even beginning to open and more bulbs are making their way out of the ground.

 Hellebore 'Royal Heritage'

 Hellebore - this was a seedling from some of the 'Royal Heritage', I found lots of seedling in this area.

 Another Hellebore 'Blue Lady'

 The Greigii tulips that I found at the grocery store are coming up through Dianthus 'Sooty'.

 Purple Wood Spurge growing in a container has pretty purple new growth
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 Primroses sitting in the sun waiting to be planted.

 The Littlest Gardener planting more of the Sword Fern, I'm hoping some of them do come up.

 The Pansies seem to have recovered from the cold we had a while ago.

Violas in one of my "girl" planters.

I realize that a lot of the country is having terrible blizzards and ice, but hopefully seeing this little bit of color will help.  We are definitely still at risk of snow here, in fact it will be in the 20's the next couple of nights.  February is generally a very cold month here so hopefully all this winter color will survive whatever weather comes our way. Pin It

42 comments:

  1. If youre planting primrose then summers not far behind!

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  2. Your hellebores are way ahead of mine - gorgeous!

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  3. I couldn't resist those cute little primroses either, I have a few waiting to be planted as well. Actually, I got a free one at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show, but I couldn't very well plant it all alone, could I? That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

    Your Hellebores are so much further along than mine, I'm jealous! I almost bought some Royal Heritage at the show.

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  4. Dear Catherine, It is such fun looking for the Hellebore seedlings, potting them up and waiting to see what new variety has been created. In my experience the seedlings can take some time to reach flowering size but the wait is well worth the excitement of seeing a new plant born.
    A good idea to get the whole family involved and for everyone to have a share of the responsibility.....if it lasts!!

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  5. Here I am stuck in the middle of an ice blizzard and looking at your pictures of these lovely flowers makes me all the more anxious for Spring to get here. Lovely pics!

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  6. We are going to get another 20 cm. of snow tonight, thank you for sharing the spring garden for snow bound bloggers. Take care and have a great day!

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  7. Thank you for a little taste of spring.
    The littlest gardener is too cute in her hello kitty boots.
    No grass, no grass, no grass!
    I like to say that lawn is a four letter word.
    Good luck on the weather and the husband.

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  8. I love it- just what I needed to see. I love the Hellebore. I think that is the variety I'm experimenting with the winter sown- I hope they germinate!

    Happy soon to be spring, Catherine!

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  9. My husband has just loved 'being in charge' of his garden area, fruit trees and veggies, hope yours does too. ( hint: bringing him a cold beer while he is 'gardening' helps a lot! Your photos do not look like it will be in the 20's......the Littlest Gardener is growing like a weed! Beautiful...!

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  10. I am loving seeing all of your blooms, especially since we have a blizzard going on!

    Eileen

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  11. You have FLOWERS already? Amazing. I like your plan of getting hubby to be in charge of the veggie garden, great idea (and very sneaky ;) ).

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  12. Lovely...that Euhorbia is particularly nice!

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  13. Your Hellebores are so nice, especially like the "Royal Heritage", super color!
    Looks like things are shaping up quite nicely.

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  14. Fantastic post, Catharine! I just found hellebore buds when I dug through the snow today...I was hoping there would at least be some. But they probably won't be blooming until March, if it's anything like the last 2 yrs. You guys are quite a bit ahead of us here as far as bulbs coming up, etc. How nice that your weather has been comfortable as of late. I hope if you do get snow, the flowers won't mind it too much:-)

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  15. Thanks for sharing your flower pictures. I would have a hard time growing many of them here as its too dry and hot!

    I love your Tom Sawyer like approach to convincing your husband to tend the veggie garden by convincing him it will be fun.....which actually it is:)

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  16. My hellebores are slow this year. i found one bud a few days ago. Yours are gorgeous!

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  17. So lovely! We have over a foot fo snow on the ground and another foot expected tomorrow. I've always wanted to plant hellebores, but figured I'd never get to see them...LOL

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  18. It seems we're both benefiting from this persistent ridge of high pressure. It's fine with me, we've had our soaking ;) Clearly the downside to native gardening here is the lack of Hellebores. I remember last winter seeing all the Hellebores and Witch hazels making the first burst of spring color. I admit to being rather envious. Hope the hubby enjoys veggie garden watch, mine seems to love watching squash grow!

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  19. The color cheers me up by reminding me of what is to come on this blustery night. It's so exciting to see new growth!

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  20. It's so nice to see flowers when we have so much snow on the ground! It's very pretty.

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  21. Your little girl looks like a little garden fairy herself. I'm still holding thumbs her sword ferns germinate! Your hellebores are beautiful! Can't wait to see all the changes you'll be making to the front garden :)

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  22. So nice to see your Hellebores, sadly its too hot for them here, though I do now have a place with some shade so might just coax some to stay alive. You are certainly lucky with your weather, I've seen the amount of snow much of your country is having ven on the news here in Italy. Christina

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  23. I really like your helleborussen!! yhat dark red one !!! amazing !! lovely day darling....come and jon my give away...you are welcome.......love Ria...

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  24. How lovely to see so much in flower. My hellebores are only just emerging from their winter sleep, so it was nice to live vicariously for a few moments and enjoy yours! Hope some of my new seedlings are as gorgeous as the ones you have...

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  25. Very clever of you to offer the beer incentive to your hubby. I luv the idea of a vegetable garden in the front yard and look forward to seeing all the changes you have planned move forward.

    Seeing your pretty hellebore blooms makes me long for blooms of my own.

    donna

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  26. What lovely primroses. I think I am just as much excited at seeing all that sunshine in your garden.Your little girl looks pretty with the violas in her basket. I have a girl just like her which I sat on the base of an old birdbath pedestal.The other night I think the silly kitten was trying to get up there and knocked her off and her one of her legs snapped off. I hope I can get it back on this spring somehow. Would you be interested in a kitten? LOL!

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  27. My full sun is in the front too and am hoping to convince my dear hubby to help out with the re-do of that area...I think you've got the right idea by suggesting the beer! Clever girl! Your flowers are lovely.

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  28. It's great to see your garden come to life Catherine although I admit I'm a little bit jealous you can be outside. I was shoveling for a bit today and my fingers almost went numb!
    Your plans for the front garden sound really great. I can't wait to watch you implement them. If you gave me a beer, I'd probably water and weed a bit for you too!! ;-)

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  29. That Royal Heritage is impressive.

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  30. I am so envious of your weather. I do know that I have to move before my life is over to somewhere other than Iowa. Your flowers are gorgeous.

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  31. I'm looking forward to seeing your front yard redux. Love the photos. Any early spring photos are most welcome!

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  32. very beautiful flowers! love the Royal Heritage

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  33. Hi Catherine, nice to be back visiting old friends. Our gardens are so different. In fact, mine is lost, buried under five feet of snow. It is nice to see that in other places, things are green and even blooming. There needs to be a balance.
    Marnie

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  34. Catherine, You don't have to apologize for showing us all your new blooms and buds while others of us are under snow and ice. I depend on you for a garden fix during this time of year when my own snow white garden is not yet ready to wake up! :-) -Jean

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  35. Hey Catherine,

    It seems no matter what time of the year I check on your blog you always have beautiful color and flowers. How nice!

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  36. Spring comes so early to your garden, aren't you lucky? No color here, no way, no how. Snow and ice for us. At least the big blizzard missed us.

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  37. Beautiful color and sunshine you have! I had some container bulbs coming up then we got this cold snap for a few days I only hope they recover. Enjoy your beautiful weather my friend! :-) oh by the way... your littlest gardener is a doll!

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  38. Catherine you always have so much great color around your place. While I sit here with mountains and buffalo to blog about. LOL
    Sounds like a great plan you have for hubby. Just keep the beer flowing.
    The Littlest Gardener looks content doing her thing. Did the girls' Sedums bloom this fall?

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  39. Hmmm... I think I'll have a beer and READ about your garden. :) Congrats on the seed starting lights & your garden photos are completely enticing. It looks like a sad raincloud outside my window (still, better than a pile of snow).

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  40. Well, I had lots to say about the photos UNTIL I reached the one of the Littlest Gardeners. THAT IS PRICELESS and that is what it is all about.

    Blessings,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  41. I loved this post. There is still a lot of snow on the ground here on Long Island, NY, but today it got near 50 degrees and I'm starting to see some of the frozen lawn again finally. Your post is giving me hope that spring is not too far away. I love Hellebores - I just wish I had the right spot for them. Yours are lovely.

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