New beginnings

Last year, I planted a few perennials that I purchased here and there. Yesterday, it was warm enough to get outside with the camera. Some have surprised me, like the coreopsis. Some have sat there patiently since late January just waiting for spring. I can't wait for the hibiscus plants to put out new growth. By then, spring will be a memory and summer should be fast approaching. Until then, I'm satisfied watching these plants slowly emerge from their winter slumber.

There was still snow on the ground on the north side of the house. The hostas here will probably be some of the later plants to show their leaves.



Anise Hyssop - Golden Jubilee. Beautiful lime green foliage with purple flower spikes.



Coreopsis Moonbeam. I thought this one was a goner. I'm happy to see two of the three returning.



Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise'. Orange/yellow flowers all spring through late summer with deheading. I wintersowed more seeds and they have germinated too.



Oakleaf Hydrangea. This plant has given me nothing but problems. When I started clearing the back woods, I found this tall leggy plant. I thought at first that it was a type of fig because of the leaves. I hard pruned it and it regrew to about 2' tall. Then a tree had to be taken down. It grew back to about 18" tall. I don't remember what happened to it the next time, but I finally moved it. I hope it does better this year.



Mock Orange. I moved 3 of these shrubs from the gully in late fall. I can't wait to see how they do in their new home. I expect a few blooms this year, but more in 2010.



Another coreopsis



The Lavender made it and is putting out new growth.



The Eastern Redbud is about to break loose. Once these blooms arrive, it will officially be spring in my mind. Not long after, the dogwoods will open. I moved two smaller trees to other areas of the backyard last month. I hope they're putting down new roots. I've also wintersown a dozen seeds or more. Germination can be slow and may take up to 2 years. Since they need a warm/cold/warm cycle, I sowed them in late October as soon as the seed pods were ripe.



And my arch nemesis. Last year, I had a small spot in the front bed that produced a lot of grass. When I amended that bed in December, I dug out the soil where this grass grew. Apparently, I didn't get all the seeds since it's showing up all over the front bed now. Looks like I'll be pulling grass (and acorns from the perennial bed) for as long as I own this house.



It's 34 degrees. There was a heavy frost last night. Temperatures today should be in the upper 60s, maybe even hitting 70 depending on which forecast I look at. Regardless, this weekend should be some of the nicest weather we've had since January's warm spell. I look forward to seeing what else pops up along the way.

Today's plans: work until 2pm. Sort wintersown containers for planting out Saturday.