Ahhhhh, Spring!

Regardless of the fact that it snowed this morning, it finally feels like spring. I saw my first Robin of the season last week, spent the weekend without a jacket on and now have a huge vase of pussy willow stems at work and at home.

These were trimmed from my pussy willow shrub which thrives in my rain garden. It’s a native to North America and apparently loves moisture as I never seem to trim enough each year. It just keeps growing and growing. I have another pile to arrange a vase for my sister and a huge pile of discards in the backyard. In case your wondering what ever happened to my March Gardening Task List, well, I’m still plugging away at it. I may have been a little over ambitious last month. Maybe I’ll get it done this month. And the rest of those bee hives? I’m happy to report a big fat check mark there:

Winter Interest

January and February are often a time of planning for gardeners as there’s not much else you can do in the garden at this point. If your sitting down with graph paper and pencil try to remember winter. I know it’s hard, your ready for spring with it’s Tulips and Violets. But when the snows back you won’t regret it. Native plants, such as the Red Twigged Dogwood above are often perfect choices. They were made for this weather. Even something as simple as the seed head from a long gone coneflower can add an element of interest. There are several good non-native choices as well, hydrangeas and ornamental grasses for instance. Need further encouragement? Click here.

Include specimens for birds to sit on or pick seeds off of for additional entertainment. Also, try to resist cutting down perennials in the fall to add to the landscape. Unless they are vigorous seed spreaders it won’t hurt to leave them until spring when your dying to get into the garden anyway.