Rose season has begun. My purchases from the Antique Rose Emporium in Texas arrived in good shape. The Double Red Knock-Out will join two others on the bank at the end of the house where I hope they will grow into a large clump. Pink Grootendorst which is billed as a large moundy rugosa will also go on the bank.

I also shopped in my own garden and dug up some roots from my Dart’s Dash, a low rugosa with  double ‘scarlet’ blossoms. I think they are dark pink, but maybe its my soil. I think these will be a good addition to the Rose Bank because they are a good spreader.

The third rose, Thomas Affleck, is planted in the new bed, an extension of the herb bed, in front of the house.

But the most important planting was of two spiny prickly roses, one pink and one yellow, from Woodslawn Farm that has been in the Purington family since 1784. This is the second farmhouse on the farm, built in the early 1800’s. I met poet Carol Purington whose poem I used on my last Muse Day post. We talked about the farm, roses and the birds she watches at the bird feeder outside her window. I quoted a bit of one of her other poems from her book, a spill of apples: tanrenga and other linked verse written with Larry Kimmel, “bees and blossoms/a day without plans” which is not the kind of days I am having right now. I am looking forward to more conversations on more topics, but dinner was waiting for the whole family so I departed, roses in hand.

The 23 peonies are growing tall, unimpressed by temperatures in the 30’s last night. But no frost! Time to get out the peony rings.

I’m planting this native groundcover, Barren strawberry or Waldsteinia, next to the Peony Bed, eliminating the lawn there. I bought this at Nasami Farm in Whately.

 Sudden growth everywhere. The lilies are taller every day, in front of a white Tree Peony. Will I find the name? Not if I don’t find one of my old garden journals.

While I’ve been busy with plants and wood chips my husband has been busy with hardscaping. This will be the new entry walk.

This new stone wall, with old stones, borders the  new entry walk on the other side. Note the beautiful solar bird bath/fountain.

Each day has many plans, new blossoms, new chores, new delights. That’s spring at the End of the Road.