It is cold, then hot, and this coming week will be cold again. Today my family helped me plant a few more things. I really appreciate it, since I don’t have my strength back, yet; but they are getting a little tired of planting my trees and bushes with me. We put in a ‘Fat Albert’ Spruce which is quite blue and full looking. Then the China Boy holly, and a piece of lilac we dug up, alongside another redbud. I put in two Andorra junipers.
I have thrown all caution to the wind. There was a time when I would not have planted such a blue colored spruce, and so many new things at one time. But I tell myself it will look wonderful in a couple years.
I have never been fully satisfied with this property, mainly because I have never had the full confidence that I knew what meshed best with the land, but also because I prefer forest land. Well, I am on my way to getting my preference if all these trees survive.
Ephemeral Beauty
Some plants do not contribute to the garden for the entire season, but they have such a special, lovely presence for their time that you don’t want to be without them. Virginia Blue Bells, or Mertensia, is one of those plants. It is blooming now, under my dogwood and in the front garden. It likes it here and the green-y blue of the flowers with the fresh green balloons of leaves are so pretty. They have to be enjoyed for the short spring season because they are one of those plants that go dormant and disappear for the rest of the year. Hostas are perfect with them. They are just now unfurling some of their leaves and will provide a full cover of the Mertensia areas, plus they both like the same conditions. Mertensia has a wild beauty, but a flamboyant look at the same time.
The lily of the valleys are beginning to appear, with their curl of leaves. I received mine from my Mother’s garden.. I think she got them from my grandfather’s plantings. They will say “May” to me better than any other flower.
Today the garden was very fragrant, with the full bloom of the viburnums, the lilacs, and the crabapple trees, with the dames rocket starting to bloom throughout . My favorite is the apple’s scent. Completely fresh, light, and sweet.
Viburnum ‘Dawn’ bloomingSome of my tulips are lost in the Charles de Mills rose briar patch. I am so sorry I didn’t totally cut those stems down. I had no idea they would take over that bed the way they have. They will be gorgeous when they bloom, though.
