Just got first order of perennials!

After the screwy weather we've had I'm just glad to see something fresh and green. It'll be awhile before I can plant these because I have so much to do on the balcony to get it ready. We had really warm weather early in the season, then unseasonable cold and snow which killed some emerging plants. I haven't had time to get to things, but will by Monday, our next predicted good day.

Japanese Forest Grass Aurea
Rudbeckia Goldsturm
Italian Parsley
Hosta Valentine Lace
Heuchera Purple Petticoats

I have coleus coming in May, and lots of perennials coming up now: clematis, asters, daffs, tulips, Jacob's Ladder, Columbine, hostas soon, weigela, ferns, etc. I can't wait for summer!

What plans do you have for your containers this season???

I hear you on that! I have "garden fever" so bad I can hardly contain myself. When I flipped my calendar I had lists of plants I want to try this year, but the deer/elk are SO THICK out here that it's a constant battle.

We had a rough winter (for the coast - but NOT COMPARED TO CO!...lol), and I have been very very pleased to see some of my semi-delicate zone 8B plants peeking up. It looks like I may have lost a passion vine, rudbeckia and some rare hostas. It may be a bit early to panic on those, but... it was just too cold.

Every year I kind of go with a theme of sorts (keeping the deer in mind). This year I got a lot of Nasturtium seed and med height Sunflower seeds. That should be fun. But... I love lavender (have quite a bit), Becky daisies and anything orange - peach-ish too (like CA poppies...Calendula).

I did get a line on this climber I fell in LOVE WITH at a garden show a couple summers ago. It's called a potato vine, and the bloom just blew me away. It's hardy for this area... I just have to figure out WHERE I'm going to plant it.

As I get things going I'll post. There are several links in here with people sharing their "spring fever" blooms and things. I'll try to link you over.

Here you go -

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/966434/

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/969819/

The photo of the Potato vine I took in Seattle below-

Highmtn, that potato vine is intriguing. Don't think I've ever seen one.

I looked at the community forums yesterday. So you had a fire that wiped out your greenhouse, plus all your beds. I hope it was long enough ago that you've recovered, except for the greenhouse, of course. I had a fire in my basement about 20 years ago. It wiped out my seed growing setup, destroyed the lights, the table and all the plants. I never redid it for one reason or another. I still miss it to this day, and now I live in an apartment and my only seed growing setup is an antique plant stand with lights big enough for half a dozen plants. I do take great advantage of it though, and start some plants indoors for outdoor planting (on my 26' balcony).

I also saw your comment on Jack Frost brunnera. I'm afraid it's a little too big for my balcony, but it's a beautiful plant. I do have a lot of perennials planted though, and plant more every year. Some day I won't be able to garden at all anymore, and my perennials will see me through.