Spring 2010

Nice plants jkom

katie59, there's been some cold days but little frost this year. In between the much-needed rains we've had several spells of mid-day temps in the low to mid-60's, so the garden is about 3 weeks in advance of last year.

Wish the was true here.

Oh gosh - another case of zone envy. Beautiful plants, jkom. I wonder if that variegated fuschia would survive in a pot so that I could bring it indoors in the winter.

Cindy, I've got a variegated fuschia shivering in a pot in my garage.
Of course it's way too soon to know if it has survived the ordeal or not.
I failed on a similar experiment a few years ago, but decided to try it again.
Poor guy.
It's not looking very spring-like outside...

Katie, here's a paris from last year - I think it's paris quadrifolia?, but alas, my plant labelling system has failed me again.

Weerobin - My one and only fuschia is a 'Gartenmeister'. I had read that it was a little hardier but I bring it in every fall. Sure it drops it's leaves and I tried to give it a little more of a rest in our 50 degree garage (we keep it heated). I cut it back hard and just brought it into my little lean-to GH (heated) and it's putting out new growth. I'm not brave enough to let it freeze.
Snow is melting here, I can see brown grass since the snow is melting, spent the morning babying cuttings so I'm good for a little while.

Same here. Its encouraging.
I ont even mind how awfull things look before the grass turns green.

WR - I think you're right - P. quadrifolia. I guess that's up next on my list. :-) No sign of life in any of mine yet. But then again, according to the news we're only a month ahead of schedule.

JKOm - it sound like we're enjoying similar effects of El Nino, except that all the water we usually have, we're sending down to you. We have a big high pressure system sitting on top of us now and the sun is out in full force for the weekend. I have Hostas coming up, the Forsythia is in bloom and the Quince is budding.

zone envy here

I totally understand!! Last year was totally the opposite for us - much like what you're seeing . . .

I honestly believe we are turning the corner. I am beginning to feel it.
That is not to say we wont have a few more snow storms but the winter doesnt seem so unending.

I remember a St. Pat's Day years ago - sunny, 70 - a real gift. I keep hoping for another one just like it. I always feel that once past Feb, we're virtually home-free (unless we get a foot of lake effect snow dumped on us in the middle of March).

We have had terrible blizzerds in erly March. I am hoping for a nice march because of the horrible winter we have endured.

ge - You're not supposed to say the "b" word this late in the winter season.

I know sorry. Well I'll say the I word. We have had ice storms that left us withou power for 10 days. 1/3 rd of the trees in the county were lost.

Helleborous and 1 daffodil so far.
This Helleborous Gold Finch

White Helleborous

weeding - go ahead - make us jealous. :)

Wait! I have a few more. Hee Hee!
No Name Helleborous

This is one of my darker ones, trying to open.

The only daff blooming right now.

So glad for you.

March 1 - I'd be out looking for Hellebore buds but we still have snow on the ground. :( I'm hoping a lot of it will disappear this week with daytime temps above freezing. That's the only positive thing. I'm missing the sun though - haven't seen it for a while.

The sun is going in and out here temps 37* and I am hopefull this will last and mely a lot so I can walk in the yard.

Ooh, I'm so jealous of you warmer zone people & your signs of Spring! I keep poking around in my gardens for a little green. Even my hellebores aren't doing anything yet (unless you look REALLY close & even then it's not really certain).

ge - Did you get hit with a lot of snow?
I looked out the back window and the snow has melted enough that I can see old ratty Hellebore leaves. I'll wait another day or two to check for buds as I'm sure the ground is pretty mushy with melting snow. I really do try not to tramp around in the garden beds when they're really wet.

Yeah Cindy, I'm desperate but I'm not stomping around in the beds themselves, I crouch on the edge to look. Everything here is unusually soggy with snow melt.

I just heard that we may get some more cold weather tomorrow, maybe some snow. The helleborous are really tough plants and I think they will be OK. I forgot to post Helleborous Ruse Black.

We had 18 inches over 3 days. I thought it would never stop.

lisa - I'm always tiptoeing around during spring cleanup since I can't always wait for the soil to dry out before cleaning up last fall's leaves. Sometimes the leaves are still frozen to the ground. Ugh.
weeding - gorgeous 'Ruse Black'. Wish I had more room for more H.
ge - hoping your snow is melting fast. We're supposed to hit the 40's by the end of the week unless the weathermen change their minds.

weeding - let me know if you ever get seedlings from that H. Ruse Black. I'd love to trade with you.

I had some hellebores, before they got buried by the snow

I'll bet the deal with it just fine. We had snow late last year and the Hellebores didn't even blink.

This is what I am waiting for.

ge - Nice montage there . At this point, I'd be happy with green. It is supposed to get above freezing at night next week. We're also supposed to have sun and 45 degrees on Sunday. Hmmm, should I hold my breath???

Supposed to be around 60 or better here on Sunday and SUNNY. Think the neighbors will mind if run around in the back yard naked......

Doug

LOL!

Whoopie!!

Doug - always glad to meet another soul who would love to run naked when spring arrives. If I tried it I might scare off the returning birds.