Saturday, March 31, 2012

Frost, Frost, Stay Away!

I remember covering up my containers in May last year because of a frost warning.  It is hard to believe what the garden looks like this year with trees blooming and leafed out, blooming shrubs and flowers.

Amelanchier Regent
A small Serviceberry about four feet tall

Viburnum Carlesi Compactum
I put this in last spring to replace one that became diseased.

It is difficult to find shrubs for the small garden but lately there seem to be smaller versions of many favorites.

I decided not to use fertilizer on the bleeding hearts or the carex grass this year.  Last year I fertilized and everything went crazy.  I could barely keep up trimming down the grass and the bleeding hearts were almost four feet tall.  They are still big but a more appropriate size for eight year old specimens.

Brunnera Angel Wings
Not as showy as Jack Frost but lovely with light blue flowers

Brunnera Jack Frost

Pulmonaria Raspberry Splash

The leaves of the Brunnera and the Pulmonaria remain showy in the summer border.

Heuchera Miracle
I purchased this last summer at Home Depot and the picture had the veining but the plant did not.  The new spring growth looks like the photo and this one will take full sun!

Heucherella Stoplight
The heucherellas (cross between heuchera and tiarella) are much hardier than the tiarellas and the foliage is stunning along with tall feathery blooms into the summer.

A view is important during all seasons and it doesn't matter if it comes from your garden or your neighbors!

Hyacinth Blue Jacket


Tulip Orange Emperor

15 comments:

gardeningnaturallywithclaudia.blogspot.com said...

We can only hope - no frost - but it's not even April yet! The heucheras are brilliant! Let's enjoy them while we can.

BernieH said...

Oh so many gorgeous blooms everywhere. The Amelanchier blooms always take my breath away when I see your photos. Love those white flowers. The Pulmonaria is another gorgeous plant. I'll keep my fingers crossed that horrid Jack Frost stays away.

Karen said...

Eileen, what glory in the garden already! My garden doesn't look anything like yours, I must do some more planning for four season interest.

I so hope we don't have a killing frost, but oh, it's so early!!

Well, all we can do is hope for the best and cover if we have to.

Lona said...

Oh just look at your spring blooms. The garden is looking so pretty. All those Bleeding Hearts look so pretty along your pathway. Your Raspberry Splash pulmonaria is so pretty Eileen. My Raspberry Ice has light pink blooms. Your spring garden is lovely. Yes, we do want to keep the frosts and freezes away.

Diana LaMarre said...

Everything is so nice, Eileen. I can't believe how much you have in bloom already!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Claudia,

I am like heucheras more each year. I remember when they were so delecate!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

I never grew pulmonaria until last year. It is a beautiful plant.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

I am trying each year to add a little more interest. It's really like putting together a puzzle.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

I am trying to grow some more bleeding hearts towards the back of my sunnier border. They are not as big yet as the ones on the north side.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Zoey,

I keep wondering what will happen if we stay so far ahead on blooms. It has gotten a little cooler though so this should slow things down.

Eileen

Beth said...

Your garden looks amazing. I love the heucherella, the rhododendrons, the viburnum, serviceberry, and your beautiful row of bleeding hearts. Your brunnera are pretty too, as is the pulmonaria. Love your spring garden!!!
Happy Easter!
Beth

Jennifer said...

Eileen, Just this morning I was looking at the flowerbed at the side of the house and wondering what to do to improve it. The massed bleeding hearts all along the side of your house has inspired me!

Cindy The Victorian Journey said...

Your plants are beautiful. I love to garden and love to see what you have done with yours. It makes me eager to get out there and get digging.

Betty819 said...

Beautiful orange tulips..is that the same side of the house where you had those orange zinnias last year that made such a stunning statement? Your landscaping is always perfect. I'm envious! You've got great style!

Betty819 said...

Seeing those bleeding heart plants is inspiring me to move the one plant that I have, obviously in wrong location because it hasn't seem to grow more than about 4-6 inches in 2 or 3 years. I had another one but lost it. This goes dormant after it is finished blooming and I get confused which variety this is.