A walk through the blooming garden does not take very long this month. I do love the scillas reflecting the blue of this morning’s sky. They have increased and increased and even seeded themselves in unlikely places. Last fall’s moderate temperatures lasted so long, that we gave up mowing the lawn before the lawn had stopped growing.
Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) shares this area at the end of the Rose Walk with the scillas. I planted them at the same time, but the glories didn’t seem to do much for a couple of years, and then, all of a sudden, a beautiful early patch of flowers.
The snowdrops have all gone by, but the experiment of moving them “in the green” and in bloom has gone well. Two clumps are now ripening in the Herb Bed in front of the house, where they will be easier to admire early next spring.
The antique Van Sion daffodills began blooming more than a week ago, but now other daffodils are coming into their season. I have moved nearly all of them out of the main lawn to the roadside strip where I am trying to eradicate lawn with groundcovers. Although I loved the idea of a lawn full of naturalized daffodils, the reality was that I had varieties for a long season and could not mow the lawn until just before The Rose Viewing at the end of June. That meant the lawn looked even more raggedy than usual and it was not a very inviting place to walk when called by the Peony Hedge that is still in good bloom at The Rose Viewing.
I guess you can say my forsythia is blooming, better than usual actually. These bushes were here when we moved in 30 years ago and they rarely produce this much bloom. Usually the buds are blasted by frost at a critical moment. I would remove them except they are such an entrenched tangle it would take enormous effort – and I have better things on my list that would take enormous effort. One reader I suggested that I cut the whole area down and let it renew itself. That I will try. There is nothing to lose, and possibly a shower of gold to gain.
To see what else is blooming here and there, and give thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens who hosts this virtual garden party click here.
Earth Day is nearly upon us and celebrations are beginning everywhere. Tomorrow on April 16 there is a benefit family concert at All Soul’s Church in Greenfield featuring Jim Scott and Sarah Pirtle, both know for their music and environmental work. A light supper at 5:30 and the music at 7 pm. Sliding scale admission $5-10 for children and $7-25 for adults.
It’s so interesting to see what a difference a few hours drive makes in terms of what’s blooming and what isn’t. Down here in southwest CT, we were exactly where you are about 3 weeks ago. Then the weather warmed up (way up – hit 95F last week!!) and suddenly everything speeded up. I’m just not ready for this yet! By the way, I agree with the reader who suggested cutting down the forsythia – not much else you can do at this point to make them look good.
GJ – It’s amazing what a difference a few hundred feet in elevation make as well. All kinds of trees and shrubs are blooming in Greenfield, only half an hour away – but hundreds of feet lower. I WILL chop down the forsythia.
I’ve often resorted to moving spring-blooming bulbs and other ephemerals while they’re in active growth and they’re so much easier to find. I’ll be doing it again before long – moving some daffodils I inadvertently planted over last fall when I was moving other stuff around in the garden.
I just brought some little daffodils, trout lilies, Virginia bluebells, and snowdrops here from my daughter’s garden. They’re a little wilty in our 80-degree temps, but I’ve done this so often here, I’m confident they’ll survive and do well next year.
I concur with your reader who suggested cutting back the forsythia. They’re great candidates for renewal pruning. I think the best time to do it is in late winter or early spring before they’ve leafed out, but I’ve done it after they bloom too. It can take a couple of years, but in my experience they come back so much fuller, shaplier, and prettier than they were before pruning.
Happy Bloom Day Pat!
I’ve always liked the look of naturalized daffodils throughout the lawn, but like you, Pat, I can’t wait until they’re done for the spring to mow the lawn. I do love those blue, blue scillas! I can’t give any advice on the forsythia, but I do have some overgrown yews I’m thinking about cutting way, way back. Like your forsythia, if they recover fine; if not, no big loss.
NEVER get tired of scilla! Need some more of those. . . Happy bloom day!
You garden has a big spring smile.
Linda – Your spring garden sounds absolutely beautiful!
Rose – I too will be moving more daffodils – once they bloom.
Katie – Scilla blue is heavenly blue.
Lisa – I welcomed the spring smile – but there was a dusting of snow this am. Happily melted by 9 am.