Spring is here!

It had been glorious here. Sorry to the East Coast!

This is my new rose!!!

Tree Peony. Last count, there were 10 buds.

Snowball Viburnum

 Korean Spice Viburnum

Gorgeous sleepy dragon around Bruce's tree. A maple. He died in 2006.

 We were on a walk last night and I spotted this camellia. Gorgeous jewels.

Those cute little beasts are baaack...blasted deer!

Bambi returned this morning. Darn it. 3 of them. Ready to eat up my delicious brand new sprouts.
I was totally stressed by the entire experience and acted out. Almost 50 years old and I still behave like a child...how totally embarrassing. So....
They were in my neighbour's yard chomping down the fallen camellia blooms. I was just fine with that in so many ways. However, I realized that I needed to go out and http://bobbex.ca the heck out of my lilies and other yummy newly sprouted plants.  So I did but I was in my pyjamas. Charming.
Then I took a shower to remove the pepper like spray.
When I got out of the shower, there they were...in my yard! Unbelievable. So what did I do at 50 years old?
Well, of course, I raced outside fresh from a shower, wrapped in a towel, to bang my child's plastic shovel and scare them away. Seriously...I did. They ran away (okay, moseyed at best) and I suddenly became self-conscious. Fabulous. My poor neighbours. Luckily, I have known them since I was a child and they know what to expect from me. Groan.
Thus, in my newfound maturity, I raced inside and threw on some clothes before going back outside to chase the deer off of my property with an orange plastic kids shovel. Yikes.
Those deer are brave and slowly left the property. They really weren't very impressed by my amazingly threatening performance. Wince and sigh.
I have since hooked up my Scarecrow. Watch the youtube video. It is the best thing ever.
This water repeller just fills me with joy. I have howled with laughter watching it spray oblivious animals and birds. I also think about the true potential of this gadget. Totally brilliant. I won't go into that because...well...it is juvenile. Ha, surprise. Cheating husbands arriving at home late at night?? I have the answer...just kidding. But how totally hilarious.

Its raining...thank goodness.

I am almost embarrassed to say this but it has been so lovely and sunny during the day that the garden was becoming too dry. How bizarre is that? Honestly, it is a wee bit suspicious. Is all of the rain and grey dreary weather waiting for July? I sure hope not!
I have not been so very busy in the garden. I am reluctant to be too aggressive with weeding as I wish to avoid pulling out precious plants......this is experience talking here. Been there and done that way too many times. Mostly, I have been poking about and observing what is going on.
My wonderful husband took me out to http://www.southlandsnursery.com on the weekend. He takes my chatterbox, demanding child for a walk about while I peruse the stock. This is the best outing ever. My husband encourages me to buy new plants....absolute truth. Wow hey?
So I did!
A new rose to go in one of my three new pots. It is a David Austin Rose called "Huntington". It was newly planted so I had an easy time transplanting it. I did not need to soak it and I had great potting soil here at home. Seasoil of course!
I was just watching a "How to plant roses" by Botanus http://www.botanus.com/pages/Current-Episode.html that I found reassuring. I liked their idea of using Epsom salts and banana peels to add nutrients to the rose soil.
I used Epsom salts a lot last year with great success. Everything greened up beautifully and I used Epsom salts as a plant starter. It worked. huh.
Banana peels give me a moment of distress. It might attract the dreaded RATS or other vermin...rodents. I really hate rodents and cannot ever say that enough. I need to get over it but gross. ewww. shudder. I will bury the banana pieces after I have chopped them up. Problem solved. If rats come looking...my husband will come to the rescue.
My garden? Here are some pictures.

Trillium

Ta Da!! The most gorgeous snowdrops ever.

 Iris

Hosta. Not a favourite one. Lip curling on my part actually. One day I will change it up, or start to like it.

 

Spiderwort from Auntie Em and Oma

Alstroemeria 

Daphne. 

 Bear's Breeches

A forest of hellebore!

Where I like to shop for plants.

I thought that I would share my favourite shopping places for gardening stuff.
I love and adore my online store of choice http://www.botanus.com.
The women who own and run this store are knowledgeable, capable and friendly. They really know their products and gardening and are charming to speak with. I have been ordering from them for 3 years. The plants arrive at your door when it is time to plant them. They are beautifully, methodically and carefully wrapped.
I do have a couple of cautions for any new gardeners. Most of their plants are pictured in full-bloom and are mature plants. That is not what you will receive in the box. Usually, it is bare root, new plantings that will take time to become established in your garden. They are planted with the potential to become like the picture on the Botanus site. I only buy perennials, no annuals. This has made me think a wee bit...oh noooo.
I wondered about plants like begonias. So I made a call. Begonias, Dahlias etc come as tubers that you plant and they should flower that year. However, you will have to dig them up and store them over the winter. Nope, too much work for me. It boggles my mind that people actually dig these things up. Wow. Committed.
Soooo... the first year is generally a write off as the perennial plants are still too new. The following year, you should see some results.
If you want instant gratification by plopping established plants into the ground you will absolutely have to shop at a nursery.
My favourite nurseries are:
1. http://southlandsnursery.com I love this store. My heart soars with joy at the beauty that is in every single nook and cranny. Every single gardening enthusiast needs to visit Southlands. Seriously. Thomas Hobbs and his husband (I believe) own this store. Just search Thomas Hobbs and you will get it. I personally own two of his crazy beautiful books.
2. http://www.wigplants.com My favourite for succulents and baskets is WIGS. The owner was very helpful and informative and his succulents are incredibly gorgeous and often very different.
When I need something quickly and locally, I go to:
1. http://dykhofnurseries.com
2. http://mapleleafgardencentre.ca
3. http://gardenworks.ca

This year I am planning a trip to see Brad Jalbert's roses out in Langley. http://selectroses.ca
I have three new big pots that I bought on sale for 50% off at Gardenworks and I plan to plant them with roses this year. I may buy them all from Select or I may buy some roses from Southlands. It just depends on what I see and what I MUST have in the garden.

Hellebores.

I have one bit of advise for growing hellebores. Clip back the leaves that are touching the ground and any that are looking icky.
I am crazy about these pictures and I am still not sure that the photo does the flower justice.

My garden is growing and growing.

I can hardly contain my glee. Honestly. I am simply beside myself.
Everywhere I look, there are blooms and budding green. It is simply a giddy time for me. Pathetic and I could care less.
There are tulips, cherry blossoms and well...other stuff.
I may be over-reacting. Hmm.
I have been out in the garden a fair amount. I have pruned my lavenders after much thought and anxiety. This is not an easy thing. I usually do this in October but this year, I waited as all of the reading I did last year indicated that I should wait until the spring. However, professional opinions vary. Some say give them a prune in the fall and others...in the spring. Aggravates me but at the same time suits me. I will do whatever I want! For years, I have trimmed them in the fall but this year, I rebelled and did it the other day. hmmm. I hope that they are happy.

Yikes...what a mess. I hadn't cleaned up when I took the photo.
Truthfully? I still haven't. Shh.
Hopefully you can see their new shape.