Before you read my post and marvel at the pictures, make a note to yourself to visit Jean's Garden . Jean's post and paper on garden bloggers and Blotanical is a wonderful discussion on the virtual community we inhabit. The comments her post generated are a great read. The whole discussion is better than most presentations at ed-tech conferences I've attended. Now, before you run off, my post and pics.
This is the scene that greeted me on my way to work Friday. Imagine my chagrin. Spring break starts tomorrow and I have a list of things to do in the garden. Maybe I should turn the new flower bed into a combination pond and ice skating rink.
Well, the temps reached the mid 30s and the snow melted wherever the sun hit it. Pictures of me making flower beds in the snow would have been funny but most of the snow was gone by the time I got home from school. My single little snowdrop is gone. Spring marches on. There are signs of spring all over the yard. The hellebore's are living up to their Lenten Rose name. We want move them this year because of their location. Hosta totally submerges them during the summer.
These day lilies are the offspring of mama and papa day lily from Chicago. The mother -in-law, Shirley, brought them with her the first time she visited. We now have enough to split and move around the yard or give away.
Lady's mantle, alchemilla mollis to you Latin aficionados, is just about the coolest plant to watch. its leaves unfold like a perfectly folded fan. We have moved them around every couple of years because they keep getting crowded out by day lilies or hosta.
17 comments:
Jim, I do hope you get to play in the dirt/mud during your spring break and are not prevented by snow. (Snow!) No skating rinks in the flower bed, please. ;)
Love the unfurling pleated fans of the Lady's Mantle. It's not a plant I'm familiar with...yet. :D
One kind of wants to run in and gently brush the snow away.
Lucy
Things are looking up, despite the late snow. It is exciting to watch plants unfurl and stretch.
Jean's post not only invited much discussion, it brings other questions to mind. I wonder how many of the negative commenters take time to examine the work of those members who have persisted since Blotanical began, in the top several to see what qualities lie in their blogs?
Another question, apart from Jean's work: Have you noticed that the alphabetical lists include members whose last post was early 2009, or even 2008? I picked 2 that were quite interesting, because I wasn't around in February 2009.
We are still waiting for spring weather here in the Cotswolds too, Jim. The sun comes out for a bit and, just when you think it might be warming up, a bitter wind cuts right through you. Now snow is forecast once again.
This is the south of England - this isn't supposed to happen to us!
Johnson
Hi Jim, Thanks for the plug. Of course, I'm not sure that "better than any presentation at any ed-tech conference I've attended" will sound like a rave review to those who are not dedicated ed-tech types! LOL -Jean
I love those hellebore photos! They are even more beautiful accented with snow! Hope your spring comes soon! We seem to have skipped spring here in Florida and have gone straight to summer. It is now suddenly in the 80's here! I guess it's normal for us this time of year, but just a bit of a shock considering we were still having unusually cold weather a couple of weeks ago.
Hello Jim
Brrrrrrrrrrr.
I've just been marveling at the big blue hosta pic on your sidebar. Is it left alone by the slugs?
May the snow thaw like ice on the desert sand.
Good morning. Your Hellebore looks cold but pretty. We are heading into a wonderful week for digging Jim. I will have to get the shovel, rake, hoe,and pruners out and very likely the BenGay out too.LOL!
I was not happy about the snow on friday, but it seems to have all melted or disappeared in the rain today! I actually updated my blog today, come by for a visit!!
Hang in there Jim ... I think it is going to get really warm later in the week! Have a great break!
Snow! That's just wrong. I'm glad it melted, and i hope it stays away till next winter. I really like your lady's mantle. I will investigate too see if it can grow in my climate.
I can see why Hellebore are so popular as they bloom so early in the season. Yours are beautiful. I hope the snow stays away during your break (or until next winter). Have a great spring break!
I can't get enough of those Hellebore photos Jim. But that snow just sends a chill down my back!
OH, Snow! Glad it melted for you in time to get started in the garden.
I love hostas and mine are beginning to grow. I have them in a shady spot and they are pretty for about 2-3 months and it just gets too hot here in TX. I might have to get some ginger. I love that hosta header!
It was one weird winter and spring continues the pattern. I keep getting missed by the extreme cold and winter storms while watching the south get hammered time after time this year. I've got a great big smile on my face but it's because of my good luck - not your misfortune. Although I do feel a bit smug watching the south suffer through my 'mild' winter weather.
I feel your pain. I truly do. That happens up here with regularity. No first flower for me yet, though. Doesn't Annie say "the sun'll come out tomorrow"? Maybe she's right.
Christine in Alaska
I love hellebores, and I just discovered them a couple years ago, and found some to plant last season. Yours sure looked pretty in snow. I hope they are not having to put up with that now.
I got sidetracked from this comment, so don't remember if I was going to say anything else.
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