Walk the garden with me, and I'll show you the flowers of Mother's Day. Lily of the Valley We'll start with Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis. Some people consider it an invasive, spreading plant; others love it as shade-loving ground cover with a sweet-scented flower. I love it because we picked the flowers at my grandma's house in the spring, generally around Mother's Day, the second Sunday of May. I got my start of Lily of the Valley, just a few pips as they are called, from … [Read more...] about The Flowers of Mother’s Day
spring
Birds, Bunnies, Bees, and Blooms
A week or so ago, a bird was attempting to build a nest above the light next to the back door. Since she hadn't gotten too far along, I knocked down the bits and bobs of leaves and grasses and figured she'd take the hint. She did not take the hint. By the time I noticed the nest again, she was almost finished building it. I didn't have the heart to remove it since it was finished, so she and I are going to have to learn to get along. After all, several times a day, I'll be going in and out … [Read more...] about Birds, Bunnies, Bees, and Blooms
What a Gardener Can Do
We've reached that time of spring around here when we are not yet frost-free but a freeze could hurt a little bit. Especially if you are one of those gardeners who simply couldn't wait to plant out annuals that don't like frost and you didn't have me whispering—shouting—in your ear that it is too early to plant out annuals and vegetable plants that don't like frost or even temps in the 40s for that matter. What about pansies? Pansies will be fine, as will violas and daffodils and other … [Read more...] about What a Gardener Can Do
Daffodils
I'm not a big fan of daffodils. I can take 'em or leave 'em, as they say. "Really, Carol? Because it looks like you've been mostly taking them and now you have quite a few blooming around your garden." Well, yes, there do seem to be quite a few daffodils here and there. "And it's not just the same ones over and over. You actually have several varieties, it seems." Yes, but if I can't remember all the variety names, do they count? "You know they count. Fess up, Carol. You … [Read more...] about Daffodils
Mother Nature Would Like to Remind You
Did you dream all winter about how lovely your garden was going to be this spring and summer? All the pretty flowers, the perfect vegetables, the song birds singing. I sure did. I always do! There's something about winter and snow and cold to give a gardener illusions (delusions?) of how in the spring their garden will once and for all become the very definition of perfection. It will be a paradise of your own making. And then Mother Nature reminds you... There are going to be some … [Read more...] about Mother Nature Would Like to Remind You
Mother Nature’s Springtime Lesson
There comes a time every spring when we look around and say to Mother Nature, "Slow down, what's your hurry? Can we just relax for a week or two and enjoy this spring season?" Mother Nature always replies with a firm no and tells us to get on with it. She has no use for procrastinators! And so we must learn to relax, but be busy. To enjoy spring, yet get on with the garden. It's not going to wait! The first tulips are blooming, after all, along with daffodils and all kinds of … [Read more...] about Mother Nature’s Springtime Lesson
