March Wind

.

Crocuses that looked so pretty a week ago have slammed shut.

The biting March wind is both a blessing and a curse. It helps dry the soggy ground. It turns dry leaves into wild whirligigs.

I managed to capture some leaves from under the shrubs in my garden tote this week. I dumped them in leaf pile next to the compost bin and weighed it down. During the summer the leaves will be added to the greens in the bin.

I used my little plastic rake to get under bushed and in corners, but -

.

no amount of wind will blow the leaves out of the azaleas. They had to be picked out by hand - one by one.

When the Azaleas Bloom

.

When the azaleas bloom it’s like magic. Red, white, pink, purple and yellow shrubs all bloom at once - the crescendo of spring.

They are the most care free shrub in my garden. A little compost and mulch and Holly Tone most (some) years is all it takes – no trimming, no pruning and evergreen too!

(For an opposing view see the article by Adrian Higgins regarding Jane MacLeish’s thoughts on azaleas in the Washington Post - info courtesy of Garden Rant.)

.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day – April 2010

Over the years, I tried to grow primrose without much success. I even began to call them “stinkin’ primrose”. This primrose, in its third year, is my first success. It was a gift from a friend’s garden. I don’t know its name but I know I’m happy to have it in my garden. (If you know or have a guess, please leave a note in the comments.)

The trees and shrubs are perfect today.

White lilac

Purple lilac


Dogwood


Redbud


and spectacular azaleas
.

Ah, Spring!

From a brown, chilly March to a bright, colorful April - there are sure to be many examples blooms in the links at Carol’s blog for April Bloom Day. I can’t wait to see what is blooming around the world. Visit May Dreams Garden blog and enjoy!
.

Divide and Conquer

.

I’ve been busy helping my mom through some rough times so I haven't had much time in the garden. I managed to get out in the other day and snap some pictures and make a plan.

.

Divide

The small variegated hosta (above) needs to be divided now before it gets any bigger. I’ll cut it in four pieces and plant 3 pieces in the new garden and put a small piece back in the same spot. I know it will take a hatchet or a small saw to divide it.

Liriope, planted quite a few years ago, needs to be divided. Can you believe the size of it? I’ll plant several small pieces along the garden edge. The extras will be given away or composted. Tool of choice will be a hatchet or saw. This is one tough little plant.

This Brunnera, perennial forget-me-not, re-seeds - even though I deadhead after blooming. It makes pretty sea of blue flowers in spring but they are taking over the area.

The Red Hot Poker, planted near compost bin (temporarily) many years ago, is in the shade and doesn’t bloom. I’ll be delighted to pot it for a friend.

I had a request from a friend for a piece of this tansy two years ago. I will finally get around to it this year.

Another friend requested a bit of the Sheffield Pink mum. It is creeping out of its boundary. Over the years, it has become shaded by a dogwood so I’ll move some to a sunny spot in my garden too.

This little pink ruffled azalea is barely visible behind the daffodils where I put it (temporarily) several years ago. It will also move to the new garden.

I divided a tall (6’) yellow coneflower Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne' and put some in another temporary spot in the garden. I’d be willing to share some if I can find a taker. I also have yellow (not Stella) and double orange daylilies that I potted in fall and looking for a home.

.

Conquer

So now that I have a plan. I need to get out in the garden and dig. Hopefully, I’ll be able to conquer this part of my garden in the next two weeks.

.

Dreaming of Spring

.
Every spring I have plants to move or divide. I set up a word document each year to use as my garden journal. I keep lists (there I go with the lists again).

During the growing season when I’m working in the garden and see a plant that needs to be divided, I add it to the “To Be Divided” list. I also have a “Move” list. The “Give Away” list includes requests from friends.. There is also a “To Buy” list but that’s another story.

I’ve been checking my lists. It almost makes me feel like I’m gardening.

To Move.

The pretty hosta will be divided added to the new garden. (See September 29, 2009 Post “New Garden”.) It should add some brightness to this shady spot.

.

This little ruffled pink azalea will also move to the new garden. Last spring I thought it was dead. It doesn’t do well crowded where it is. I hope it will have a better chance with more room to grow.

.
The liatris (Liatris spicata 'Purple Spikes’) was dug in behind the garage temporarily several years ago. It’s time for a permanent home. I’ll move it next to the liatris that I relocated last spring.

.
Give Away.

Sheffield Pink mum – I always have requests for this pretty mum.

Dead Nettle (Lamium) (picture top of post) – a great dry shade plant. A friend has a perfect place for it.

.
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria) – Another temporary “dig in”. I found someone who would like the plant. I have a huge clump in my front garden and certainly don’t need any more.

.
Tansy (Tanacetum) – I have a request for this ferny-leafed plant. I forgot to divide it last year so the request will be filled a year late.

To Be Divided.

Several plants need to be divided and will be looking for a new home.
.

Liriope (lilyturf) next to the hydrangea – this tough little grass is overgrown and crowded. I will need to divide it with a hatchet or sharp saw.

.
Forget Me Not (Brunnera macrophylla) – Over the years this plant has spread and reseeded to the point of taking over. The profusion of blue flowers is lovely in April but there are just too many of them.

.

.

Tall (6 ft.) yellow rudbeckia (Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne) – This plant was divided an moved last October when I planted the Sky Pencil Holly in its place. Some of the divisions were “dug in” and need to find a permanent home.

I keep dreaming of spring. Now, back to my winter list. I’ve already checked off five and a half items.

.

Dreaming of Spring

.

OK. I’ve started lists for spring. I love making lists. I find great satisfaction in checking off items one by one. It also keeps me from trying to do everything at once, organizes priorities and helps me remember what I want to get done. So here are the lists I started for spring.

To move list:

- Pink azalea to new garden – I put this pretty azalea in a shaded area about 4 years ago. I meant to find a permanent place for it. This past spring it looked dead – broken branches looked gnawed. The other day I saw green growth peeking out from under the hosta leaves. I’ll put a wire fence around it this winter and move it to the new garden in spring.

- Blazing star (Liatris spp.) – another plant I stuck in the ground about 5 years ago until I could find a permanent place. I’ll move this lilac colored flowering plant next to the white liatris near the new Casablanca lilies.

To give away list:

- Red hot poker or torch lily (Kniphofia uvaria) – an extra plant that I don’t have room for. I’ve got a taker for this one. I love when that happens.

- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) I’ve had a request for a piece of this ferny leafed herb so I’ll dig some out for my friend in spring.

- Perennial Forget-Me-Not (Brunnera macrophylla) - The mass of pretty blue flowers in spring is getting too crowded. They have spread and reseeded throughout the area. I don’t have a taker for them yet. I’ll have to find someone who wants Brunnera or they will become compost.


To divide list:

- Hosta - The hosta is overgrown. I’ll move some to the front of the new garden.

- Liriope (Liriope muscari) – As the hydrangea grows, it’s getting a little crowded. I like liriope’s winter color – deep green leaves with black berries. I’ll see what it looks like over the winter and decide if I will divide and spread it out at the edge of the garden or pot some up to give away – probably both. I’ll need to use my hatchet to divide this tough little clumping plant.

So there are the lists so far. I’m looking forward to another busy spring!

.