This is how we gain entry into the diehard club.
This is what separates us from those weekend gardeners.
This is when our significant others look at us strangely.
This is when we brave the cold, get on our hands and knees and look to the sky with appreciation when we see any sign of life.
This is when we get our mojo back.
This is when the game begins.
Who’s with me?
My wife loves the lilac. There’s a legendary pic of her with my newborn son at our old house standing in front of a blooming lilac. I killed at least three different lilacs once we moved to our current home. I don’t take the signs of new growth here lightly.
The Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’ is the first impact bloomer in my garden. It is the shrub I protect from the deer the most in winter. I’ve won again. Killer scent is right around the corner.
Lady’s Mantle has no equal on a mid-spring morning, post rain. I cherish and salute its return.
The first perennial I ever planted and the first perennial I ever greeted upon its return in spring.
The reward after wading through the dead foliage. I’ve grown to love the variegated iris.
Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’ (Meadow rue) looked bad in late summer/fall. I feared it had reached the end. Nope. Fist pump. Amazing foliage on this one.
Filependula rubra (queen of the prairie) just peeking out of the soil. I’m banking on her to dominate this summer. I’ve massed it and it should have a big impact when in bloom.
Out with the old …
… in with the new.
I’m thinking these Baptisia seed capsules could be collected, put in a container and used to make a loud intimidating noise when the deer appear. Or I could just toss them. Hmm.
The mass ornamental grass cutting is under way.
The blooming daffodils will help screen these grasses before they explode in growth.
I’m with you! We’re still about 1/2 snow-covered here in mid-NH but I am starting to see some subtle signs of spring. Thanks for posting your beautiful photos of the emerging world.
Brave crocus and daffodils are blooming here in the Hudson River Valley. I am on enjoy overload because we have been warmed that our milder temperatures are just a teaser. Snow is predicted for Sunday and Monday. I know that eventually….. spring will come to stay.
Lucky you, John! Finally got up to 40 degrees here in Fargo, ND, but still covered with snow. April projected to be the coldest in recorded history and as of now we are. Ugh!
I just got back from Pasadena where I went to spend 2 days , back-to-back, at Huntington Gardens. When I got back to my high altitude Colorado home, like you, on knees I looked for signs of new spring growth. Pleasantly surprised, I’m reeling in excitement. Game On!
Help!
In the throes of spring fever, I bought myself something called Loropetalum Chinense Black Pearl which the nice man at the nursery assured me would be perfect for my garden (in the foothills of the Luberon in Provence). Now, back home, Google has given it thumbs down for climate (somewhat Alpine), soil (a bit chalky) and anything else that might lead to a happy new home.
I’m thinking of keeping it forever in a pot.
Might that be a good idea?
Dora – absolutely keep in a pot! I’m doing it for a bunch of shrubs and will be talking about them here on the blog in the very near future.
My brother, you daft lovely article, you. Wonderful blog.