Gardening and Gardens

We had no snow in February and enjoyed days when the temps reached into the upper 60s. Spring will be here soon, I thought, as I looked over my still-sleeping landscape. Nothing changes in the winter. No shoots of new growth, no pink flower petals opening to the sky, no change in the intensity of the sun. Winter is a welcome time to rest and for the first few weeks, I’m relieved for the rest and ability to hibernate for a bit. But by they time March comes along, I’m ready for spring.   I walk around my yard daily, looking for signs of life. A daffodil shoot perhaps? Buds on the magnolia tree? The birds are singing in the trees - they know whats coming.   I start thinking of the spring-clean up tasks I must tackle before the season gets too far in. I make a list.   And then - WHAM! A Nor’Easter hits Long Island. We are covered in snow, high winds topple my shrubs and cold temperatures burn the tips of my emerging daffodils. Sigh.   In December, snow ...

Ah spring. The birds are chirping, the crocus are blooming and the days are getting longer. My itchy gardening fingers can't wait to get out into the garden. There are plants to relocate, shrubs to prune and beds to clean up. The weather here on Long Island this month started off lovely and warm! The Snowdrops (Galanthus) and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) were blooming:  Splashes of purple appeared around the yard - Crocus and Iris (Iris reticulata) were enjoying the sunshine! And then it happened. Spring decided it didn't want to continue just yet and allowed Winter to return for a few more weeks. And with that, these blooming spring beauties were covered in snow, mid-March. Here's what my daffodils and hellebores looked like: As upsetting as this was, there was not much I could do.  I am unable to control the weather. I can only change my attitude toward it.  And I also know that Spring WILL come and I'll be amazed by so many of my plants r...

Compared to summer's bold riot of colors, spring begins in a slow crescendo of color. Mostly pastels followed by a few brightly colored tulips or daffodils. But for me, the real spring show is the trees. Spring flowering trees are simply magnificent. They bloom before the leaves appear and since so many other "leafy" trees are just starting to break dormancy, their lovely blooms stand out all the more. A quick drive around my neighborhood had me spotting these beauties: Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x yedoensis) A round shape with the palest, almost white flower petals. Saucer Magnolia Tree (Magnolia x soulangeana) Large petaled blossoms flushed with pink, white and hints of purple Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) One of the first flowering trees to bloom. It's blossoms consist of up to 15 individual white petals, giving the illusion of a star. Flowering Plum Tree (Prunus cerasifera) Small light pink flowers contrast nicely against the burgundy le...