Dirt Therapy

Sauce Magnolia "Rustic Rubra" There is always a day in early spring (or late winter to be accurate) when you wake up and look outside and the plants are noticeably greener and buds are popping out all over. This is often preceded by a thunderstorm and I've always heard the old saying that thunder causes buds to open. We had a nice thunderstorm last week and thunder is again rumbling this morning.  When I looked out the window this morning, the first thing I noticed that that the hedges were greener than usual and much more vibrant. There are other signs that spring has arrived. Buds opening on the hydrangeas - don't prune them off! Starflower ( Ipheion ) Kerria ( Kerria jap onica ) Bear's Foot Hellebore ( Helleborus foetidus) Ornamental Kale going to seed Vinca major Rosemary "Arp" Euphorbia "Despina" Euphorbia "Despina" Loropetalum - not sure about the vareity. It was purchased about 1...

Bear's Foot Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) Okay, I don't think we are getting any snow this year so I'm ready for Spring. Bring it on! I'm tired of the cold weather and the cold wind. Today was sunny and it looked nice and warm outside but that was a teaser. The wind was blowing from all directions and it was downright cold! The daffodils have been blooming for ages but there are other blooms of interest. The above photo is of a plant given to me by Margie Anderton (she is on the garden tour and I highly recommend that you see her garden). She called it "Bear's Claw" hellebore   but most descriptions I have come across refer to it as "Bear's Foot". It is also called "Stinking Hellebore" but what an awful name for a plant. I think I'll ignore that. (And for good measure, I didn't smell anything while photographing it although I didn't stick my nose in it). This hellebore grows in an upright position and the flow...

I can't believe it is March 10th and I am behind on garden chores already. Usually by now, I have completed the things I did today weeks ago. We are scheduled to be on the garden tour in 5 weeks (5 weeks!!!) and that should be enough to set a fire under a person. Yesterday, I managed to get some outdoor painting done and today I had the morning to do the following - Cut back the monkey grass - As you can see, there are some thick areas. The band that runs in front of the house (second photo) was planted here when we moved in and since that time, it widens more every year. I've even dug lots of it up and it doesn't faze it any. Since mowing it down has always been difficult, I thought I would try using hedge trimmers. That didn't work well at all so I ended up using the mower and to my surprise, the electric mower did a great job. I adjusted it at the highest setting which is much higher than the old gas-powered mower.  A few weeks ago, I cut back th...

GARDEN TOUR OF THE SHOALS featuring "Garden Improvisations" Saturday, April 13, 2013     9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday, April 14, 2013        1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tickets available at each garden--$5 for all gardens Saturday or Sunday IRENE & JIM FOWLER: 106 GILLIS DR., LEXINGTON A “ must see” garden designed by an artist and Master Gardener! Wander through her many paths and you will get lost in the beauty of the design. Wildflowers, ferns, rare perennials, native shrubs and unusual plants abound in this wonderland! Arbors and other features backdrop all the beauty of the many blooms. Directions: Out Hwy 43 north to the Greenhill area, turn right on county road 47, go 2.7 miles, turn right on county road 33, go 1 mile turn left on county road 174, go .6 miles turn left on Gillis Dr.(dead end street) about 100 foot on right. MARGIE ANDERTON: 271 COUNTY ROAD 68, KILLEN This garden is a native plant bonanza! As Pres...