This is an exciting week for me.

Not only is the garden truly coming to life, but my new book Seed, Grow, Love, Write will be available for purchase within the next few days. This go-round we’re doing a hardcover, a softcover and an e-book version. Hopefully something for everyone.

I have some giveaways planned and some other cool ideas I hope you’ll like.

Stay tuned.

On to the garden.

A better view

The Clematis ‘Scented Clem’ is in full bloom.

Now I need to figure out how to properly adhere to a trellis. All of the blooms are at the base of this trellis and along the ground.

I’ll get there. Don’t any of you worry about me.

Flowers galore

Geranium ‘Espresso’ looking good. And hot damn that foliage color, right?

Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) is truly a mad bloomer. And not too aggressive as of yet. Want to buy some? Try here.

Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is truly a carpet of blue. Even better is all of the weeds that are suppressed.

Iberis ‘Snowflake’ (Candytuft) not feeling it this year. Although it looks healthy and thrives in this dry spot. Maybe the only dry spot in my entire garden.

These are Ornithogalum nutans (Silver Bells). These bulbs were planted last fall so I’ll give them some time to get established. A few actually bloomed a few months back when the weather warmed temporarily.

Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Wood Hyacinth), bulbs also planted just last fall, are now showing signs of bloom.

Carex ‘Grayi’ are making their presence known with the emergence of their club-like seed heads. These plants love some wet soil and actually stay semi-evergreen in our zone 6B winter.

On their way out

Later Moss Phlox.

On their way in

Amsonia hubrichtii on its way.

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ as well.

New foliage growth

While the new growth on this Tsuga ‘Moon Frost’ is yellowish right now, soon it will transform to white and that is when this evergreen truly shines.

Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ looking solid.

Well hello my lady

A welcome sighting of Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’. This Northern Sea Oats has not been the least bit invasive and I cherish that variegated foliage. It’s working in a partially shaded location which is most excellent.

Oh deer

Yep, they got my Lady’s Mantle.

Time to take all of the necessary precautions.

Watch for a future post where I test a whole bunch of methods and products.

Game the f’ on.

Canada Thistle

It’s only getting worse.

Like with the deer, I need to take immediate and long term action.

More to come.

Well that’s cool

This volunteer Penstemon has one red stem. I’ve only planted ‘Husker Red’ to date and the rest have been volunteers and now we have a cool looking hybrid.