Warmth + Rain = Green Explosion!

Is everybody settled after the Blogger outage? I hope so. I was getting worried there for a bit.

It was unseasonably warm this week and we had a good bit of rain on Thursday night. The result is explosive growth in the garden. A lot is going on so get a beverage, sit back and enjoy.

Let's start in the back. I haven't given much blog time to the Japanese maple - here she is - fully leafed out.

The ferns continue to grow out - They are almost at peak, and are enormous. Lush is a good description!

There are some hosta back there. This variegated one is practically glowing.

I like this, there are at least 4 different plants in this shot.

The bleeding hearts are almost at their peak as well.

There is something about weathered wood, that I enjoy. A little moss or lichen on it gives me a sense of time, of belonging. Something about a bit of decay amongst the new life is.... poignant?

The creeping phlox is in full bloom, a puddle of color as you enter the garden.

Lilies of all stripes are growing happily.

The peonies are not far behind.

Finally in the side garden, lupine, larkspur, beardstongue and ?

Next to update, food production progress.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Walk about before chores

A few things have changed since we left for Texas a week ago. I'm taking the next week to try and get the garden in shape fro the coming season. I find a big push now makes life easier inthe middle of summer. The unseasonably cool weather continues here outside Chicago.

Let's take a walk...

The Magnolia is in bloom, sadly it is a gray day, I hope to get some pictures with the sun shining. My neighbors don't seem to mind that I plant the Daffodils and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) in the lawn. It's my excuse not to have to cut it until almost June.

I like the Lilliputian perspective.

The Shasta Daisy buds are still tight.

I very much like the sedum family, they are hardy and have so many forms. This one is in the "red bed."

Speaking of Sedum, this one "Autumn Joy" is under attack at the root level. I've never seen this type of damage. I suspect the dreaded voles. The mouse traps will come out.

Another item that needs correcting is the pernicious Hops. Oh, they are nice to begin with, but once they take hold, look out!  To control them I suggest planting them in a container then burying them to nearly the  depth of the pot. Else they run wild. I suspect  taking these out will require the better part of a day.

While we were away the Bleeding Hearts have started to bloom, they are not yet tendrils heavy with fully opened blossoms, but they will be soon.

Sometimes just green is good, I liked the subtle variegation on the bleeding heart leaves as it thrust into the center of an emerging fern.

Harry Lauders Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') is starting to bud out.

The wild ginger will need thinning. I have about 5 big patches of it.

And finally, feathery Coreopsis (Moonbeam) is coming up.

I should get outside and get started, before it rains....

How is your garden coming along?

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt

http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Spring is sleeping in

The slight tease of warmth last week was like a teenager sitting up on Saturday morning, realizing there's no school and going back to sleep.

They are calling for a snow/rain mix tomorrow. I think I hear Spring snoring.  No doubt she will get up, but when?

I stepped out today after work to see what was happening. The beds are in desperate need of a good cleaning - Saturday is the day.

But, cheerfully there are more signs of life now that the crucus clump has wilted. One of my favorites, Iris reticulata has finally appeared.

The Hellebores are budding out amongst the leaf litter. I can't wait until they show their faces in earnest.



Finally the ostrich ferns are coiled, ready for a slow motion unfurling. But that'll wait still Spring is up and around. I need to thin them a bit and give some away before then.

I just hope she wakes up soon.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener