Spring Fling

Between the long cold winter, all the snow and the many brown, winter-damaged plants, and the dreary economics, this spring is especially appreciated. Color is beginning to appear. Although a bit later than usual, the daffodils and tulips are giving their annual show. Clumps of deep blue muscaria brighten corners of the garden. The brilliant yellow of the often-unappreciated dandelion is

even a happy reminder that yes, spring always shows up. Yes, there is a brighter side to every winter.

Surveying a planting bed full of cistus with brown, scorched foliage, I was heartened to notice a tiny bit of green, a few snippets of new growth appearing amongst all that winter damage. If you have a yard full of plants that look like they just didn’t make it through the winter, don’t give up on them quite yet. Give them a few weeks of warm temperatures and watch closely for signs of recovery – swelling buds, perhaps near the base of the plant, or tiny new leaves starting to unfurl. They just may recover, given time. Consider scheduling a consultation with a horticulturist or garden coach to evaluate the damage.

This it the time of the year to celebrate color. There are an abundance of plants that join in the show. Tiny blossoms of dwarf rhododendrons paint the garden in purples, pinks and light yellows. Osmanthus gives us a sweet fragrance emanating from white flowers set off against the dark green leaves. Rockeries become a tapestry of brilliant colored pink and purple phlox subulata(creeping phlox), snowy white iberis sempervirens ( candytuft) and bright blue lithodora. The deep reddish new shoots of peonies are rising above the garden floor, a prelude to their showy flowers. That ceanothus that made it through last winter will soon be sporting stunning displays of deep bluish purple flowers.

This is an especially fun time of the year to visit your favorite nursery and see what new hybrids have been introduced for this season. Looking for something new to try this year? Try one of the spring bloomers from the 2009 Great Plant Picks List (www.greatplantpicks.org). There’s campanula "Birch Hybrid" a low grower covered with small lilac blue flowers dancing over bright green new foliage from mid-spring to early summer. A favorite harbinger of spring is Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel. This small tree/large shrub grows to 12-15’ and prefers sun to part shade. The fuzzy buds open to light pink flowers . Mahonia repens makes a durable groundcover in sun to light shade.

It’s a good time to plan that vegetable garden you’ve wanted to try, even if it’s as simple as a few pots of lettuce, spinach, tomatoes or strawberries. If planting a vegetable garden, wait until the soil warms up. Many gardeners wait until after Mother’s Day to put out tender new starts.

So, go ahead and enjoy a spring fling. Bring some color into the garden. You deserve it!

5/09