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Spring ahead means more this year than a change to daylight saving time. Spring in the garden this year is weeks ahead of schedule.
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PJM Rhododendron (above), usually blooms in the middle to end of April. It wasn’t bothered by below freezing temperatures the other night. Last spring, I trimmed about 1/3 off and I’ll cut it back by another third when it’s finished blooming this year. It’s just getting too big for the space.
About ¾ of the mulch has been spread. The Helleborus’ (Lenten Rose ‘Royal Heritage’) nodding blooms continue their long bloom time. Mulch makes it all look pretty.![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXXNmKfgCOKwWhx9UVLQf8rtA9Cw6jq7Qxkmi174MQXERTsjqK3uuiePN0-lk0S1vA7dUMF7WWOtJBsfxm3riIMnK388wfmU8zUDQhiHIWCM7WEwGYwrbl1ghEI6EtYVNrXKI8Q/s320/Garden+3-28-2012_01.jpg)
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Daffodil season is winding down and some daffs are ready for dead heading. ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcEeFyL5Puzrjks_lOrWNIqSLL1fvWTsLn9NfwAqjfro6VgY0BU4ozBCOaucqCEKrwquV0infj-pwnrIgsgEmODq5b1h2VcyLlomx7WvPAqflG_51LQCYIkjWNOcjT__eBu-WhQ/s320/Garden+3-28-2012_05.jpg)
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Pieris Japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ is finishing its pretty winter bloom. When the blooms are gone, new growth will be bright a burgundy. This is what I call a bonus plant – winter bloom and summer color. ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X8nlVE7ZOlpbIO9dC54HTOM2RUJwlHAb4EyXR1fS5KGzb71JeWK9lvGvH3VdeQTPgzOpSjx0y2gpRvWGiRKRhp_Sknuvmtjtz1kirUAD_2BFV21-QLsDk-7hhvAFpJRGDE-Low/s320/Garden+3-28-2012_13.jpg)
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The mop head hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Venice”) is leafing out dodging the frosts so far. I cut it for shape last summer. I will only need to cut off the dead branches this spring. We’ll see how well it blooms this year after last summer’s haircut. ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9Pu6tl0fpGZTDiBiTRsvRanG9dSHQGeNvqYiQe_PU-GyKLoIARdrFPa6RYgvt4IbI89BczvfMrrOtYJi8UIJ8iN_As3GdFMFCoJDVM3x7UljhgksxKPBkIHInEj3akZg4OEo6Q/s320/Garden+3-28-2012_16.jpg)
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The early spring makes me feel like I need to hurry to catch up when, in reality, I need to slow down. The last frost date here in zone 6 is around May 15. Over a month till it’s time to put out tender annuals and vegetables. It’s also important that the soil be warm enough to promote healthy growth.
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The coleuses will have to wait for their outside debut.
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1 comment:
Spring blooms are definitely way ahead this year.
Your last photo reminds me that I need to take some cuttings from my coleuses. I really should have done it awhile ago.
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