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The 2024 Garden Year

January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
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Plant shopping


The local plant sales are beginning. It looks like all kinds of plant events are on the horizon. Today, my friend Rebecca and I stopped by the Native Plant Sale in St. Johns. I purchased a native bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), a red columbine (Aquilegia Formosa) and Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) . Despite predictions of rain, it was a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies.





On the home front, Pan has risen! I have been concentrating on the little garden off the deck and it is coming along nicely...




Rhododendron 'Blue Baron' - I could not resist that color!

New rose foliage always looks great - but can it stay that way?

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), one of my favorite bulbs. These were already here in the garden.


On the bargain bin at Home Depot -
Mountain Bluet (Centaurea montana)


Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)


Expanding the foundation border on the front of the house. I am going to add a pathway soon leading from the gate to the front door.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. rebeccaMarch 27, 2016 at 8:21 AM

    I think I must have one of those blue barons!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 27, 2016 at 1:39 PM

    Oh be still my heart. I think I have fallen in love with the Baron. Unfortunately my heart is already broken. I haven't ever been able to grow Rhodies. I think our soil is all wrong for them. Sigh. Gosh everything is begining to look a lot like a garden. Pan is holding court beautifully. Fun Fun... I hope you and Michael are having a good Easter. Your first in your new home. A lot of firsts coming along this year.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMarch 28, 2016 at 5:40 PM

      Lisa, I only grew one successfully in Alabama. As you probably know, they like acid soil and excellent drainage. If you try one again, be sure to plant it high and mound your soil up on top of the ground around it. That is what I did in Alabama.

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  3. AnnMarch 27, 2016 at 2:47 PM

    Happy Easter to you and Michael. I am reading about your new adventures in the PNW with interest. My daughter is now up in Bellingham WA and wants me to come up and help make a garden...her new place will be a challenge for this Huntsville AL gal. Looks like you are having fun, fun, fun. The sun is not quite like the sun we get down here even though the zone is similar, right?

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMarch 28, 2016 at 5:35 PM

      Ann, you will love it here. I do have a lot to learn about certain plants but I think you will find that gardening is much easier here! The sun is different. It never gets directly overhead but rather goes across the Horizon at an angle. It is very bright, blindingly so. I think it is the clear atmosphere that intensifies yet. On the other hand, plants that like shade in Alabama can survive in the sun here.

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    2. Phillip OliverMarch 28, 2016 at 5:38 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. debsgardenMarch 27, 2016 at 7:44 PM

    Pan has a new home! It is great to see your garden beginning to shape up. Happy spring in the Pacific NW!

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  5. outlawgardenerMarch 27, 2016 at 10:52 PM

    Such fun to see you expanding your garden beds! Pan looks right at home. A caveat about Spanish Bluebells - use with caution as they're very prolific here and impossible to get rid of. On the other hand, if you really love them, I'll be happy to give you lots!

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  6. RobinLMarch 28, 2016 at 6:28 PM

    I'm glad that your buddy Pan has found his new home. Have you found many unfamiliar plants in the local nurseries, or are they all pretty well known?

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMarch 28, 2016 at 7:21 PM

      Robin, many unfamiliar ones to me! It is a new learning process for sure.

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