The first flower of 2018 has arrived.
And it bores me.
Sorry Crocus fans, I’ve never taken to them and have dug most of them up over the years. Yet a few continue to survive. I guess I should appreciate their resourcefulness. And should count any flower as a blessing considering where we are as April is just about here.
But enough of the negative. I was thrilled to see that almost all of the Allium have returned yet again this spring.
And bulbs planted last fall will be providing a show in the near future. By the way, how great of a job did I do perfectly spacing these bulbs? You know you’re jealous.
More Crocus escaped my wrath. I shall not forget them.
My first “thank you for surviving” shrub of the year. This is Hypericum ‘Blue Velvet’. I planted two last summer, falling in love with the blueish foliage. You’ll see plenty of this one as spring rolls into summer.
Daylilly, yeah (a sarcastic “yeah” if that wasn’t obvious). Every year I’ll continue to be bored by them and every year I’ll continue to leave them be. There is something to be said for a plant that can be left to its own devices, fills space and requires zero care.
All of the Spirea are back. Again, a bit eh, but super useful and tough.
Many of you warned me and did you ever hit the nail on the head. My False Spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia) has suckered like mad in year two. I have given them plenty of space to operate but I can already see that invasiveness may be an issue.
Game on.
Moss phlox is back. Smile.
My Sedum ‘Red Carpet’ appears to have suffered this winter but there are finally signs of hope.
The annual foliage transition of Arborvitae ‘Rheingold’.
Now John, I must give a stalwart defense of crocus! Any color, after months of brown and gray, must get a round of applause. This is an exciting time when the garden comes back to life. The daffodils close to the brick walls of the house have sent up foliage, so the blooms will soon follow. So much to anticipate!
I hear ya Mary. I think if I planted them more in mass, I’d appreciate their impact.
I agree that crocuses are boring. That’s why I’ve loaded up my woodland garden with English Primroses! The first flush began blooming on February 28th in my Western Massachusetts garden. Can’t recommend them enough!
I’ve heard that a few times now Bill. Time for me to look into it. Thanks!
Fantastic time of year! Anything, yes, just anything at all that has survived looks so brilliant and beautiful. Primroses where you never planted them! How on earth did they get there? Too dry in Provence for daffodils but hellebores all over the place in wild profusion. And the willow stump I stuck in the ground two years ago is now wonderfully elegant waving at the slightest breeze.
I love it !
It really is Dora. I’m anxiously awaiting that first real warm, spring day when everything explodes. That gets the juices flowing for sure.
John,
Please plant yellow and dark purple crocus near each other. This royal combination is stunning. And crocus provide an early nectar source.
What’s your take on snow drops?
Dinah
Gardening in zone 4 in western NYS
Deal Dianne! I just wrote myself a note to remember in the fall. I don’t have any snowdrops, but I do have a ton of Summer Snowflakes that withstand my wet soil beautifully. I love them.
“Game on” is right. Nice precise checkerboard bulb planting of those crocus.
Thanks Chuck! And welcome to the start of the MLB season!
You make me laugh. I have to disagree, however, about the crocuses. Most of mine are even that awful gold, and I do (really) hate yellow, but at this time of year I make an exception. Yours is actually a nice color. I feel the same as you do about daylilies. I keep them because they ask for so little. I have only one I really like, and it is…. wait for it… yellow. 🙂
Gillian – the pressure to plant more crocuses and to love them is mounting. I may have no choice but to add a ton this fall. Ha.