Frost free Fertilizer Friday.

Another week has flown by and Spring break is just about over. Yesterday, which was forecast to be stormy and even started with a little snow, turned into a beautiful day, cool but sunny skies. We spent part of our day at a fruit market which I discovered sold many plants as well, and at a very reasonable price. So we picked up Dill (to hopefully attract butterflies), Campanula rotundifolia 'Olympica', Dianthus 'Plumerius' and Chocolate Mint. All but the mint will go into the butterfly garden, mint is always planted in pots to keep them contained in my garden. We once rented a house that someone had let mint run wild in the garden. It was everywhere and impossible to remove. Even something that smells like Chocolate needs to be kept contained. ☺
The buds on so many plants are beginning to appear; Hydrangeas, Iris (a real surprise), tiny Rose buds and Columbines and the Dogwood are very close to blooming.
April 9th is supposed to be the last frost date for where I live, and that means I can begin sowing some more seeds outside now. I've got lots of things sitting and waiting to go in the ground and it looks like this weekend the weather should cooperate for me to be able to plant.

Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is still looking good, although it's just past it's peak time. It bloomed early and the hummingbirds haven't found it yet, although I did see a hummingbird at one of the feeders yesterday. I always love how the flowers look against the bark of the Ponderosa Pine.

I never tire of looking at the Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis).

Spanish Bluebells which I remember hearing had become invasive in certain places. The clumps get larger every year, but I never find them in any new places.

Bergenia 'Winter Glow' which was planted last Fall. I planted several of these along the front of the bed. These flowers are hot pink and the foliage turns reddish in the Fall. I actually didn't used to like these, they reminded me of lettuce, but somehow they've grown on me.

Apple blossoms getting ready to open. I don't think we'll have as many apples this year, I haven't found that many buds. I think with the mild winter it didn't set as much fruit.

Daffodil 'Sempre Avanti' just starting to bloom in my front yard. It has a really nice scent. After having such great luck with Daffodils this year I plan to add lots more for next Spring.

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) has grape scented flowers. They smell like candy.

Camellia japonica 'Kumasaka' is still blooming.

Pieris japonica 'Purity' is a veeeerrrry slow grower. I'm just glad it bloomed again.

Leopard's Bane (Doronicum orientale)

Fertilizer Friday is hosted every Friday by Tootsie at Tootsie Time. Visit her to join in or see who else is "flaunting their flowers."
I found this quote the other day, and for some reason it struck me as funny. I think because this time of year when so many plants are coming up it's hard to know if something is a real plant or a weed.

"When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant." ~Author Unknown