The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Posted on by Posted in Spring, Tree .

I will not talk about the weather.

I will not talk about the weather.

I will not talk about the weather.

I will not talk about the weather.

I will not talk about the weather.

I will not talk about the weather.

 

Liking the lichen

With the cool and damp weather we’ve so thoroughly enjoyed these past few months  weeks, it’s become a breeding ground for that harmless mold so lovingly known as lichen. I don’t mind it and kind of dig it so I don’t bother treating it at all.

 

 

 

Flowers

I’ll take what I can get.

Leucojum aestivum (Summer Snowflake)

 

Hey bud-dy

Anticipation is everything to me.

Although as I mentioned last week, I can’t wait for the scent of these flowers to pull me out of the cold weather doldrums.

Viburnum carlesii

They continue to multiply year after year. Not too unlike the grays on my head.

Daffodils

The bee balm is everywhere. That’s okay. I’m on it. Fear not.

Allium

Year two for a tulip? My awesomeness knows no bounds.

Parrot tulip

 

Branching out

A glimmer of hope.

Serviceberry

 

Diervilla ‘Cool Splash’

 

Hydrangea ‘Lady in Red’

 

Welcome back

I still get pumped up when they reveal themselves.

Trollius ‘Golden Queen’

 

Ligularia ‘Britt Marie Crawford’

 

A better option

Fool me once, blah blah blah. I can’t seem to grow Sambucus ‘Lemony Lace’ in the garden so I’m going to nurture her in a container.

We’ll see.

I have plans to do the same with additional shrubs. My design eye will be put to the test.

Sambucus ‘Lemony Lace’

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23 Responses

    • It is exciting Linda even if it has been slower than I can remember. Where are you located again?

    • Amen Karen! I just hope it doesn’t jump to summer too quickly. I love the spring progression.

  4. We still have snow on the ground here in my little corner of Canada! But I’m putting the wait for spring to good use by knitting little jackets and matching toques for the robins.

  5. Very exciting! Despite the cooler climate. Your photographs are fantastic, spring is just teasing you with little bursts of growth and color. We’ve moved to Western PA and it is dramatically cooler. Today in the 40s while my former home, just a skip west of DC is enjoying high 50s. I miss my Cornelian Cherry which was grown as a tree rather than a shrub…when early spring would roll in it would be covered with yellow flowers, much to the delight of foraging insects. I miss the scent of monarda and know what you have to look forward to. Ive not had much success with it here. With regard to Sambucus, I have seen it proliferate in wetlands or alongside a stream. Although, I’ve not had success with my purchases of the same as each time I’d plant it the local fauna would devour it…even caged or sprayed, the plant would be devoured whenever I let my guard down. My ninebark and clethras have suffered the same fate for three years runnning. They are well branched short shrubby things that needed constant supervision. I look forward to your posts and photos of your garden. May the pipeline never find its way near your property!!

    • J – Do the deer devour your Clethra? I’ve been fortunate to date with it. Just a little nibbling. Pipeline fight is still strong. It won’t be in my yard but the fight is all about not at all. So far so good as the state of NJ is fighting back with vigor.

      • Yes they do especially just when the flower buds begin to form on the new growth! You are Soo lucky your deer browse on other floral. Thank goodness the state is involved. All the best to you with your garden, family life, baseball (I finally have a home team to cheer for now…no longer a long distance A’s fan and am now a Pirates fan), and !!! your book!

  6. Saw the first hummingbird today – that’s what we Southern gardeners get this time of year! 🙂
    It is an early arrival, however.

    • I could not be more jealous FS! A move south is still in the plans in the future. I need warmth far more often!!!

      • Jmarkowski, I need more cool weather – maybe we could swap? 🙂
        The hummingbird didn’t stick around, at least I didn’t see it again. Most likely it’s on the way East!
        Well, not to brag, but spring is the best time for gardeners in the South. Summer and even fall are too hot to do much, so we put our efforts into the early part of the year, and are handsomely rewarded.

  7. I’m growing Sambucus nigra “Black Lace” and although it grows lustily, the borers seem to be equally lusty in their appetites for it. Is that an issue for you too? I see great branches wither overnight…. If things don’t get better by midsummer, out she goes and I’ll plant a winterberry holly instead. Hope yours does well in a container – such a pretty plant.

    • It always looks promising Kate only to just stop growing. Nothing damaged and it’s hidden from the deer. I had it in a pot when I first bought it a few years back and it thrived. May have to stick with it that way.

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