Sweet Peonies

As with everything else in the garden, our peonies are blooming early.  I snuck a few in the house to fill the air with sweet scents.

Sprinkling the Strawberries

A few weeks ago my husband planted our new strawberry patch...with an eager three-year old helper.  I heard it was a fun evening filled with lots of sprinkles.

Children and the Landscape

I've talked quite a bit about how I became enamored with the landscape, but I often look at my children and wonder if they'll make their own special connections.

My 10-year-old daughter and three-year-old son seem to have that initial spark.  They enjoy being outside playing ball, chasing butterflies and climbing trees.  My 13-year-old son never seemed to ignite that spark.  If given the choice, he'll choose inside.  His outside choices revolve around group activities like camping or sports - all good, but he's not usually the initiator.  Are these connections genetic, environmental...a little bit of both?

Image courtesy of Jonas Peterson

Ferns

Recently, someone mentioned to me how they detested ferns and wanted them all pulled from their yard.  I shrieked inside knowing how much I love them.  Ah, the sweet little fern...they are either loved or ridiculed.

I've attempted to trace my fern adoration to the idea of magical woodlands and grandmotherly gardens (though I haven't experienced either).  Strange how I have no special memories of this plant, but have somehow grown attached to it.  Could it be it's strength and dependability as a shade plant, while still having a meek and delicate disposition?

Image on left source unknown and image on right courtesy of Letterology

Image courtesy of Robert Hasty Photography

Don't Forget the Trim

An essential part of the perennial border often not given the deserved attention is the front...the extreme front.  Often we jump into plants that are 18" to 24" tall in this location, but what makes this part of the border special is the beautiful trim of really short plants...those 12" or less.  I've been experimenting with this living trim for a few years and have discovered a few beauties.  One of them is Veronica x 'Waterperry Blue'. This plant only grows 4-6" tall and has an amazing blue flower in the spring.  The foliage also has a slight burgundy tinge making it extra nice throughout the growing season.

Garden Terms: Bosquet

A bosquet is a formal grove of trees...planted in a perfect grid.  These became popular during the French renaissance and provided nice shade for those enjoying the intricate parterres (formal garden beds) beyond.

Image via Wikipedia

Geums are Jems

I discovered this flower only a couple of years ago and now cannot imagine living without it.  In early spring it pops out like orange polka-dots all over my zone 5 sunny perennial border.  The foliage is wide and round giving much needed coarse texture to the garden.  The flowers balance above about 12-18". There are many different cultivars, so I may be creating my own sweet little geum collection soon.