Lenten Rose

Well worth the wait is the Lenten Rose or Helleborus.  It has taken around three years for my plants to really take hold and offer up beautiful flowers.  I love my three plants, and this Spring they have produced a lovely effect in my shade border. Michigan is a great location for these plantings, as…

spring garden clean up and pruning

I have been working in my yard cleaning up the garden beds and removing leaves, debris and cold damaged tips from my boxwood and other evergreens.  Today, I looked at my tree rose, and removed some of the cross branches.  This rose probably could be pruned back, however; I simply cannot ever do this task…

My garden will be awake soon

I can’t wait until Spring.  Today we had some sunshine and blue skies.  Even though the outdoor temperature was only 22 F this afternoon,  the sky looked spectacular.  I gazed out my window at my snow-filled picket fence garden and continued to dream about warmer days. March is a good time of year to review…

forcing bulbs

  i purchased these bulbs a few weeks ago and they bloomed just in time for Easter.  the small daffodils are lovely when they first open and bring the air of springtime into the room. the daffodils in my garden outdoor are just peeking through the soil, and are not this far along.  that makes…

allium

  i have a love affair with Allium.  maybe it is because they can grow in full sun or partial shade.  maybe it is because they last so many years without having to be divided.  maybe it is because the large flowering stems grow so tall, and support such unusual flower heads.  maybe because i…

yellow tulips

  i don’t plant too many tulips as i was warned by my neighbors that we have deer that roam through the neighborhood.  however, as i have lived here, i have only seen them a very few times, and never during the spring.  so, last fall, i planted some tulips. and, they have bloomed beautifully…

Solomon’s Seal

another gift from a garden friend that has become established in my woodland garden bed is Solomon’s seal.  this lovely plant also comes from the lily family, and blooms in the spring with tiny white bell-shaped flowers.  the plant is truly lovely coming from the ground over a matter of days, and then sprouting these…

spring daffodils

  i am a collector of plants. not every plant, but certain plants, i collect different varieties of the same plant.  for example, i love spring daffodils.  i know i have planted hundreds of them over the years, and i expect them to last forever, only to be disappointed that they don’t always come back….

hellebore

  one of my favorite spring time plantings has to be the Lenten rose or hellebore. these plants have to be some of the easiest plants to grow with clusters of cup-shaped flowers.  they are available in white, pink, and shades of plum.  they are absolutely the most spectacular plant for spring enjoyment. the green…

mayapple

  there is a thrill of watching my mayapple spring from the ground each spring.  a fellow friend and gardener shared three mayapple with me several years ago and today, i have a nice little patch in my shade garden.  the umbrella-like leaves just make me feel so happy.  the umbrella is closed as the…

dwarf spring iris

my garden is beginning to green up and a few spring flowers are blooming.  some of my favorites have to be my dwarf iris.  they are only about 4 or 5 inches tall, but they are so cute.  these flowers help me get ready to be out in the garden again. i just love them….

spring rhubarb and garlic chives

 spring came early this year to midland, and many of my garden plantings are showing a strong start to the growing season.  all of my herbs have put forth new growth and my chive border is beginning to form a nice protection for my new mixed vegetable and flower garden. i divided my garlic chives last…