February Happenings

Spring! Okay, it's not spring yet but it's been quite mild all winter long, and things are starting to grow so it feels like spring in my neck of the woods. Some of my perennials didn't even die down completely, like the hollyhocks, and the Nigella started to grow in the fall and stayed green all winter. The early crocus are blooming again, and the later ones I bought last fall should be blooming in a week or two. I can hardly wait. 

      I planted my first seeds of 2016 today, which is always fun. I planted some dahlia seed for the first time, and I also planted two varieties of cherry tomatoes. One from my own seed and one called Tumbler. I grew Tumbler last year and wasn't very impressed but I'll give it another try this year. I also bought a new shrub, Sarcococca ruscifolia and yes, I bought it for the amazing fragrance. It's supposed to be easy to grow too. I'd love to hear about what new plants or seeds you are growing this year. 

Crocus and Ivy

Crocus

Camellia buds

Hollyhock leaves that stayed green all winter

Nigella seedlings and a tulip coming up

Pink dawn Virburnum

Sarcococca ruscifolia or Sweet Box

Slug & Snail resistant Annuals

       Only 63 days till Spring! Okay, I know that's not very close, but I hope you are busy planning your garden and looking at seed catalogues, which is the best thing about January. There is only one plant blooming in my yard at this time of the year, and that is my Pink Dawn Viburnum. It starts blooming a little in November, and blooms a little here and there until it puts on a big show in March. The flowers are fragrant and attract Anna's hummingbirds, which live here year round.

      Here's a list of some annuals that are resistant to slugs and snails, especially after they have grown past the seedling stage with their own true leaves. I don't know about you, but I find slugs to be one of the most disgusting creatures on earth and I have no desire to plant their favourites. Happy Planning!

Pink Dawn Viburnum 

• African Daisy
• Ageratum
• Alyssum
• Bachelor's Button
• Calendula
• Canterbury Bell
• Cosmos
• Forget-me-not 
• Lunaria
• Moss Rose (portulaca)
• Nasturtium
• Nigella
• Papaver Rhoeas (poppy)
• Pansy
• Petunias
• Pinks (dianthus)
• Scarlet Sage
• Snapdragon
• Stock
• Any plant with fuzzy leaves

It's Not Spring Yet

Just when you think spring is on it's way....

Pink Dawn last Week

Pink Dawn on the weekend

Pansies

Fairy Garden

Spring!

Spring! Spring! Spring! After months of gloomy winter weather, I think we are all ready for spring. I was going to wait for a sunny day before taking a photo of the purple crocus, but then decided to take it in the rain and was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. The yellow violas in the next photo have been blooming all winter long in a container on my patio :)  The little blue/purple Iris surprised me with their blooms because I had totally forgotten I had planted them. Sometimes it's nice to be forgetful, ha ha. The next photo is one of my indoor plants moved outdoors. It survived the winter leading me to believe it is probably the common plant called Hens and Chicks.  Last of all are a couple of photos of one of my favourite shrubs, the Pink Dawn Viburnum. It starts blooming in November but puts on it's prettiest display in the early Spring. I fear for the life of this shrub because I have recently been notified that there is a manhole at the base of this shrub, a manhole that needs  to be raised. The manhole is covered in several inches of soil, completely hidden from view. So now I am dreading the arrival of the work crew that will invade my backyard. I can just see them stomping on my spring bulbs and ripping out my shrub, but there isn't much one can do but hope for the best. Anyways, happy Spring and may all your seeds sprout!

Crocus on a rainy day

Crocus and Pansy

Iris

One of my houseplants moved outdoors

Hazelnut Catkins

Viburnum and a pretty blue sky

A closer look at the sweet smelling blooms

The New Arrivals

     Don't you just love getting a package in the mail? My seeds arrived last week and I am so looking forward to planting them! I don't know where I will find room to plant them all, but I will try my best to wedge them in somewhere. I love stocks and other fragrant flowers, in case you can't tell.  If you have never grown evening scented stock, I would encourage you to try them. Plant them close to the house, some place where you will be near in the evening, the fragrance is incredible. What are your favourite fragrant flowers? The fountain grass, coneflowers and cardinal climber are all new to me. I will also be growing swiss chard for the first time ever, and hope my picky family will like it.

I planted some catgrass on super sow Sunday. It is so quick and easy to grow, not to mention my cat likes it.  She started nibbling on the grass as soon as I brought it to her, thus the blurry photo. 

I am also adding a photo of the neat ice sculpture that forms in my birdbath when the water freezes, and the neat little wagon my husband bought me for Christmas this year. I'd be happy to hear any suggestions you have for for filling up the wagon, which will be moving outdoors. 

Just some of my New Seed Arrivals

My kitty nibbling cat grass

Pink Dawn Viburnum

 Birdbath Ice Sculpture

Little Green Wagon