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

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Another "Spring" day.

We've been enjoying the most beautiful weather here lately.  It's been at least in the upper 50's and even made it up and over 60 degrees a couple of times over the last 4 or 5 days.  Of course that meant spending lots of times outside.  I've had a chance to start a project I thought I wouldn't get to until March and am now sore from all the work I've gotten done.  I forgot how achy I get the first couple of times after really getting down and doing work.  Lifting, carrying and digging things outside after not doing much for a few months is tough on my body, but it does help me feel less guilty when my lunch ends up being Doritos or a Snickers bar.

On the far side of the pond the ground had really gotten low.  This whole part of our backyard is on a gentle slope and after months and years of rain the ground starts to wash away.  It made planting anything there difficult because it was lower than the pond edge.

I moved in a few plants from other parts of the garden and a few Primroses and Violas for some instant gratification.

I was walking around my favorite nursery trying to decide how to spend the points I'd earned over the last year and spotted this Hellebore.  It hadn't even been unloaded yet but I knew that's what I wanted to use my points on.  It is Hellebore Winter Jewels 'Cherry Blossom'.  It's not quite all the way opened but I couldn't wait any longer to post a picture.  I added it to the new bed by the pond.

A surprise Snowdrop by the pond.  Did I plant that?  I don't remember doing it.  I love these types of surprises.

I can't wait to see these Crocuses, that I planted last fall, all the way open.  They seemed to have grown overnight!

Crossing my fingers that this will be the year the variegated Rhododendron blooms.  This is it's third year and no blooms so far.  It's a good thing I like it for it's foliage or I'm not sure I would be patient for much longer.

Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII' is really putting on new growth.  If you want a flowering currant that grows quickly, this is the one to plant.  It has caught up to my other Pink Flowering Currant in just 2 years.

I found the first Hellebore blooming today!  This was a seedling from a larger plant.  The rest aren't much further away from blooming.

My husband took a couple of days off (a very rare thing) and how lucky that it was at the same time as the nice weather.  We ended up getting compost to mix in the front raise beds.  It looks and smells so good out there.  I LOVE the smell of fresh compost.  Now all I need to do is get some seeds started.

From the looks of the forecast this is probably the last day of our "fake spring" and we'll be going back to our usual cooler and wet weather, but I can always hope for just one more day.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

24 comments:

  1. You have been very busy. It looks nice. Love all the delicate spring plants.

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  2. Oh Catherine, what a beautiful Hellebore, Cherry Blossom. So pretty.
    Your pond area looks so nice...love Primroses.

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  3. I need a garden shop that gives me points! And what a lovely Hellebore to spend your points on! She's a stunner! I hope the lifted bed on the side of the pond works out nicely, I bet you can't wait to fill it in :) Cheers, Jenni

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  4. Ahh...fake Spring :) Love your pond!

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  5. Catherine, your plants look great and oh my heavens, I love your Hellebore. What a gorgeous flower, I've not seen on before. So unique! I'm crazy about your pond too. You are a busy gardener! Thank you for sharing.

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  6. The new raised area on the side of the pond is looking good! And that Hellebore is gorgeous! Did you get it at Molbak's? It does look like the rain and clouds are moving back in tonight. But these last few days have done so much to cheer me up and get me raring to go in the garden, which is a feeling I love! I am sore too, but it's a good sore.

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  7. Have you tried planting an ivy or thick groundcover on the lower area? The roots could help stabilize it and prevent soil from washing away.

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  8. How beautiful all the blooms and buds and gardening...we have had a few warm days but most just above normal so we are still not able to see much except a few snowdrops...

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  9. Ah, a breath of fresh spring air! So exciting. You have a great collection of hellebores. Just beautiful! Also, wonderful shrubs. It seems that spring is closer here. The sun sets later, the river isn't frozen ... but I know we have more winter in store. I'll be starting some seeds soon, inside. I ordered some flowers that will arrive in the spring. I can't wait to spend an entire day out in the garden! Know I'll be sore, too. Gin is my secret pain killer.

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  10. Hi! Your garden is already looking beautiful! I really love that hellebore, (Cherry Blossom) such an interesting color combo for a hellebore. I also can't wait to see your Ribes in bloom. I've been thinking of getting one of those for awhile now...I too love the smell of fresh compost but it will be awhile still before i have it in my own garden. Going to be at garden show on Friday and Sat. Definitely going to the iPhone photography seminar...sound interesting. How about you? Any specific seminars you know you are attending.

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  11. Hi! Your garden is already looking beautiful! I really love that hellebore, (Cherry Blossom) such an interesting color combo for a hellebore. I also can't wait to see your Ribes in bloom. I've been thinking of getting one of those for awhile now...I too love the smell of fresh compost but it will be awhile still before i have it in my own garden. Going to be at garden show on Friday and Sat. Definitely going to the iPhone photography seminar...sound interesting. How about you? Any specific seminars you know you are attending.

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  12. Catherine, your little pond bed makeover looks great! Moving some plants and add some flowering ones can make all the difference. Your new hellebore is particular pretty, I can see why you had to have it :-)! To me spring is for sure on the way in your garden with the bulbs popping up and all the new growth!
    Christina

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  13. All the blooms look so beautiful and seem to be enjoying the sunshine as much as you are!

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  14. Wow - stellar job on that bed!!! It looks great already. The primroses are lovely, and that hellebore just steals the show.

    Good for you for getting this work done before the cold weather hits again! I'm with you on loving the smell of compost!

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  15. That is some really lovely warm weather you've had recently (and after the snow). It's such a nice feeling to get back out into the garden after a cold spell. St Patrick's is usually my start out in the garden after Winter. Your pond and beds are looking great!

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  16. Alison - Yes, it's from Molbak's. I'm afraid to go and see what other Hellebores they have now since I don't have room for any more.

    Andrea - I'm going Sunday, but not sure which seminars yet. I just wish I could go more than one day. The iphone photography looks like a really good one! Maybe you'll share what you learn at it?

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  17. Your pond area looks wonderful with its new primroses. Sure looks like spring there in that bed. I adore your new Hellebore.The dark center is so pretty with the tinged petals. Thanks for letting me know that the blooms last so long. I had no idea! I hope they seed for me too. That would be an added bonus to growing them. I did not know there was a variegated Rhododendron either. What pretty foliage. I always forget to get Snowdrops in the Fall. I need yet another list. LOL!

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  18. Isn't this weather nuts? I love there Hellebores. Ours are opening up as well. Such a unique flower. Always been a favorite. I know you are happy to be getting some projects done!

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  19. So much work, it is looking good. Always amazed when all you gardeners remember the name of all these plants. I remember about half of what I buy~:)take care, Gina

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  20. Nice to see how much you were able to accomplish with your "fake spring" weather! Lots of nice blooms already too!

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  21. Your Winter Jewel is a jewel, indeed! I love its color. And I think your primroses next to the pond are lovely. Our weather remains mild. My garden is at least a month ahead of where it was last year. Today I saw magnolia buds opening!

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  22. Spring sure picked the right moment in your schedule. Your front garden looks great already and it won't be long I'm sure until you've got your pond area filled up. That cherry blossom hellebore has such a lovely deep colouring.

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  23. How nice to be able to go outside and get sore from working in the garden! There's nothing quite like that type of work. Your blooms are pretty, and the composted bed looks wonderful. Now following - #700!

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  24. Didn't we have an incredible stretch of weather.. after our wild weather! Your winter garden is beautiful!

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