Monday, March 24, 2014

Let the Games Begin!

HERE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, it is officially garden season! This past weekend, the weather was stellar. My buddy Carol and I took a time out from life to visit Fry Road Nursery and came away with some dandy darlings. Then I spent the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday in the garden. It was pure bliss. My house is not very clean but my garden is sure getting in to shape. 

Some of my plants demanded that I take their picture. 

I admit, it was the new foliage on Sobaria sorbifolia that inspired me to buy this shrub last spring.

That, and the fact that I'm a huge sucker for pinnate foliage. 

Many of my sedums seem even more vibrant after our cold winter. Or maybe it's just me.




Magnolia stellata is also a real dazzler this year.  

Between the Magnolia and Lonicera fragrantissima, my nose is very happy. 

When I saw pink-flowered Bacopa at the store last week, I grabbed three 4 inch pots.
In the past I've had difficulty finding it.

Bergenia cordifolia is sending up its pink flower spikes. 

And in the front garden, sweet little Chionodoxa forbesii  "Glory of the Snow"
come back every year. 

~~ Garden Bargains ~~

Last week, my son found me this vintage galvanized livestock trough. We plan to use it for growing veggies. 



And then last Friday, when I went to the Habitat ReStore to buy bricks, I scored two of these heavy cement urns for a song. They weigh about 30 pounds so I didn't get any bricks on that trip. But am I sad? Heck no! 


Spring has sprung and it's the most wonderful time of the year. However, if you're still suffering from winter's grip, rest assured, spring is coming. 

18 comments:

  1. I laughed when I saw your comment that your house might need cleaning but your garden's in good shape. I could say exactly the same thing. I also noted that your love for pink extends even to foliage plants - that Sobaria is beautiful!

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  2. Hasn't been a beautiful week ? I think it's going to rain for the rest of the week : but my garden will need I have been moving all the plants !

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  3. Yes the weather here has also been beautiful! It seems like things start to grow overnight now.
    I love your new containers, especially the livestock trough!!

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  4. Wasn't the weather this weekend AMAZING???!!!! I spent all day Saturday in the backyard and all day Sunday out front. Heaven, I tell ya.

    First, I'm PISSED your son found that trough. I've been looking for one for three years. I want a couple for the driveway for veggies, but they are waaaaay too stinkin' expensive. Even the used ones on Craigslist are way out of my piss poor price range. That is, if you can find them.

    Those urns are amazing, too. Clearly I need to hit up the ReStore. I don't know why I don't go more often. I have one five minutes from me. Dumb.

    I can't believe you've hit up the nurseries already. Well, that's not true, I CAN believe it. I'm just jealous. :)

    If you were my neighbor, I'd totally be pinching off a piece of that sedum when you weren't looking. How cool! I may be guilty of doing that in the stores. Shhhh, don't tell.

    Great photos. I always get excited when I see you have a new garden post.

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  5. Fantastic garden decor scores! I am also drooling over that trough. Spring is here Grace! It's exciting!

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  6. I love your pinks & greens and those cement urns are beauties.

    I hear you about the clean house, although I have to admit, both it and my gardens need some attention.

    Happy Spring you you ~ FlowerLady

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  7. Whoa girl you got some great finds! Loving your urns. That trough will make a great planter for veggies too.

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  8. Sooo cool, Grace! Those sedum do seem to be electric :) and SCORE on the urns...man! Great job!

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  9. Spring is spring, Grace! You went to buy bricks and bought cement urns. Can't wait to see what you plant there:))
    Love your Chionodoxa! They are very pretty, mine are having leaves now.

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  10. I don't know how many times over the weekend I said "don't worry, I will clean the house as soon as the weather turns". Lots of smiles and whistling in the sunshine over the last three days.

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  11. Hi Grace! Spring is pink in your garden! Wonderful! I haven't seen pink bacopa for ages. Lovely!
    How do you keep Sobaria sorbifolia in place? Doesn't it spread?
    P.S. Answering your question on my blog about palm trees - they stay outside year around. Too heavy to move. Sometimes, I throw blankets around their trunks, but not this winter.

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  12. A clean house is a sign of an unfulfilled gardener! I've just gotten used to the dirt and have named the dust bunnies. They are great pets and require no care at all. Cobwebs add charm to an old house, don't you think?
    The weekend weather was perfect for gardening and it's great that you enjoyed it! Your finds are spectacular and I especially like your inexpensive and gorgeous urns!

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  13. I like the idea of using the old metal wash bin.

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  14. Hey, no fair. Further up the coast spring is definitely not here. I suppose there are signs-crocus have made it, trees in very sheltered spots are starting to blossom, but there is way too much mud to get out in the garden.

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  15. I sooo identify with the dirty-house-happy-garden concept, as the same is true here at Longview Ranch. Isn't it a delight when the garden is waking up and changing so quickly? Now if this week's rain has done its work, all the plants we moved or planted are feeling fine! Happy Spring, Grace!

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  16. OK, I don't have the excuse of being busy outside gardening, but my house isn't clean anyway. ;-) I can see how your camera was attracted to those plants--they're all lovely! I'm patiently awaiting the blooming of Star Magnolias in our neighborhood. That's definitely a highlight of the spring!

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  17. What a treasure trove! Love the urns! I need to go check out our local Restore more often. I'd love to have a sorbaria but don't have space for anything that big. Will be done with your book this week. :o)

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  18. So much going on especially the foliage of the first plant. And I love pink bacopa and have a similar bergenia...you made a great score with the tub and planters!!

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