Rhodo Finds a New Home

We inherited this Rhododendrum when we bought the property,  It has just been in the wrong place all these years, and now the next project is to create some lattice screening off the front patio and grow some more vines.  (Did I mention that this is going to be the year of the vine?).
Since Chris wants to get started on the project, we agreed the rhodo had to go because it was just too big and out of place. With a little help from a rope and Chris's truck, we were able to loosen it enough to dig it out.

It's pretty big, and is full of buds that will be set to open in the spring.  I wanted to wait till after it finished blooming, but I know that wont be until early June and that's too long to wait.  We took our chances and got her out and into the wheelbarrow.  I do hope the shock won't make the buds drop. 

Next came finding a new home for it and digging a big hole in the front yard to replant it.  Smoke of course was there to help in his own way.  Now we wait to see if the rhodo will go into shock or if it will still bloom.  It may become stressed this year, but hopefully she will come right for next season

Spring is Not Too Far Away - So the Floweres Say!

Crocuses are among the hardiest of plants that grow from bulbs. These small, colorful flowers are often the first to bloom in spring, but this year, they are all out full force and spring is still a month away.   A wander  around the garden this morning  brought a smile to my face when I saw so many little flowers awake like these snow white crocuses.

And take a look at these purple crocuses.   Can you spot the bee inside the one on the left?  My goodness, that little bee is out far too early.  It's still winter, despite the warm sunny days we have had lately.

A new addition to the driveway garden are these precious little cowslips.  I just love them.  I first saw them in the fields outside of London a few years ago and fell in love with the little flower.  I have 3 or 4 of them and they are just so sweet and yet hardy.

Of course the daffodils and narcissus are all up with buds waiting to burst in a few weeks, and the periwinkle in our woodland garden is blooming as well.  I love periwinkle.

A New Lattice For the Driveway Garden

Chris was busy this week on one of my spring projects - lattice.   The driveway garden bed to me was too open.  By creating this lattice around it, I think it gives the garden bed a sense of being larger and more finished.

I think Chris did a great job.  It never seemed complete to me, and now it is it's own little room, and at the same time it provides some screening from the saw-pit behind it.  It also will allow me to create something new with that space come spring.  I shall buy some clematis vines and see what happens.