Summer in April

I started this post a few weeks ago but was circumvented by some sort of virus or a bad case of hay fever. Whatever it was and is, it has (and is) kicking my butt and rendering me a lazy blogger, among other things. So the first photos are from that earlier attempt.

Clematis alpina 'Constance'

Clematis macropetala 'Markham's Pink'

A blurry bumblebee!

Ligularia 'Garden Confetti'

Ornamental Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum var. tanguiticum)

I was heartened to finally see the resident swallows return to their summer home. I was worried by their late arrival.

One of the swallows

The chickadees are also fun to watch.

Chickadee bath time

Several months ago, on her way to Portland,  Willow Murawski stopped by and gave me this really cool vintage sewing machine to display in my garden. Right now its sitting beneath the lacy white flowers of the Spirea. Thank you Willow!

Circa 1923 Singer Red Eye Treadle sewing machine

Okay, now on to today's post:

It's been unseasonably warm the past week or two. It has helped wake up the garden. 

Last spring I found a variegated Glechoma and fell in love with it. Usually the leaves are a gray-green with white edges. Not this baby! Check out the spotted green and white variegation! Eventually the entire plant went rogue and I was a happy camper.  Just now I did a search and discovered that my plant tag was incorrect in stating that it was Glechoma hederacea 'Variegata'. It's actually G. h. 'Dappled Light'.

Glechoma hederacea 'Dappled Light' last year

 

I was very careful to keep it safe from winter's cold and this spring, it's rewarding me with these elegant little flowers. Yes. It's the small things.

 

The sweet little flowers of Glechoma hederacea 'Dappled Light'

The Penstemon rupicola is in full bloom. I love it so much.

Pink flowered Penstemon rupicola with Helianthemum nummularium 'Ben Ledi'

 Isn't it gorgeous? And to think that it's native to the Cascade Mountains.

Penstemon rupicola

Penstemon rupicola

My good friend Gail Barnard shared a piece of this hardy Geranium earlier this spring. It has grown and now it's blooming. I didn't really want it for the flowers. It's the variegated foliage that makes me happy.

Geranium phaeum 'Margaret Wilson'

Geranium phaeum 'Margaret Wilson'

Clematis 'Asao' is always the first large flowered hybrid to bloom in my garden. Of course, it's pink!

Clematis 'Asao'

Speaking of pink, another native, Pink Pussy Toes is in full bloom right now. Such a little charmer.

Pink Pussy Toes (Antennaria dioica)

Pink Pussy Toes (Antennaria dioica)

Last year I decided I had to have an Enkianthus. This is the first time it's bloomed for me. I'm not disappointed. 

Enkianthus campanulatus 'Showy Lanters'

And now for some wide shots:

Silene robotti

River rock that I'll place in the garden after I get the plants situated and the mulch down and yada, yada.

A new area ready to be planted.

 

Too much fence showing here again. Must remedy this.

There you have it. So much to do and loving it.

How about you?

It's the Little Things

Here it is, early March and it's snowing--again--today. It isn't cold enough to stick but the blustery winds have made any kind of outdoor activity unpleasant. I got a few things done before giving up and retreating indoors. 

On Friday afternoon, my sister Laura and I met fellow gardener Gail Barnard who had convinced us to take in garden guru Mike Darcy's annual Plant Nerd Night. I've heard about Plant Nerd Night for years but living over an hour away, I had never attended. Neither had Laura. But the venue isn't far from Gail's home so she is a regular attendee. She let us know what to expect and it was fun to meet her in person and see other gardening peeps I correspond with regularly on Facebook and through my blog. 

You can read about Plant Nerd Night here.  

The speakers, owners of nearby nurseries, were entertaining and educational. But the crowds were daunting and it was difficult to see the plants they were offering for sale. Thankfully I'm not nearly as plant-obsessed this year so I was fine with a few glimpses of things. After the show, I was able to purchase one plant on my wish list--this little woodland beauty from Far Reaches Farm. 

Soldanella carpatica 'Alba'

My plant is going into a container.

Afterwards, Laura and I drove back to her home in Woodburn. In the morning we visited two local nurseries in her area. First, was Bauman Farms where I was inspired to take photos.

Before stepping in to the warm greenhouse, we had to inhale the luxurious perfume of this hyacinth. 

The pink one, of course.

Check out these bright and happy tulips we spotted right inside the door.

There were lots of early bloomers in the greenhouse, along with a huge assortment of garden art displays. Like this one:

Kindness really does matter, doesn't it?

Lots of checkered Fritillaria meleagris ready to take home and plant.

We were both drawn to the succulents. The displays were really inspiring!

This cement urn must have been about two feet wide.

It was filled with mostly tender succulents so not exactly practical for the gardener who
would be needing to take it indoors for the winter. But perfect right here.

These 'Coral Reef' Sedum looked way better than mine at home.

These little things are always so cute. I don't know why I don't try my hand at making one.

This tender container was really well done, especially the Agave  Echeveria.
I'm not real smart with my succulent knowledge.

The tag said, Echeveria nodulosa. At only $4 it was tempting.

 And then there was this behemoth:

I should have put a coin on one of the leaves for perspective on how yuge it was!
Believe me, it was yuge! Okay enough of that.

Another cute mossy purse.

So chartreuse!

Another indoor container.

Mindy, I can't look at a Lewisia without thinking of you.

 These uniquely formed primulas were pretty. Laura picked one up, but put it back.

Frilly and fun!

Equally frilly were these Cyclamen.

More wanderings...

These succulent wall containers seem to be all the rage now.
I am not there yet.

I also don't really do glass in my rustic garden but this piece caught my eye.
It's a solar light.

Very showy, wouldn't you say?

 And finally, the piece de resistance. Are you wondering what it might be? Here you go:

I fell in love with this tiny-leaved burgundy and green, "Limerick Clover." 

We saw the burgundy-leaved clover, called 'Isabella' by the front of the store. In the back we saw this one too:

Trifolium rubens 'Dragon's Blood'

Decisions, decisions. I loved them both. What's a girl gonna do?

Fortunately one of the containers had both plants growing together so I got it!

Hardy to Zone 4!

Yes. It's the little things. Or at least it was on this journey. Later at Al's Garden Center, (I didn't take any photos) my sister gave me a $5 off coupon, so I bought another 3 gallon 'Chandler' Blueberry and another one gallon Azara microphylla to replace the big one I had years ago until the winter cold did it in. Then, after my sister and I bid our farewells, I drove home, unloaded my loot and took a nap. 

Have you purchased any plants yet?