Here in the Northeast we were visited by another snow storm bringing our total since early February around 100 inches! Ninety something inches more than last year. But who’s counting? The news reports individuals who are angry with the Groundhog. Remember, this year the Groundhog predicted an early spring. Who can you trust?
This morning ‘s icy wonderland makes my cat unhappy. I didn’t shovel the deck yesterday–first time all winter–as its officially the first day of spring today–the Vernal Equinox and I’m hoping for a fast meltdown!
Meanwhile, the Witch Hazel ‘Arnold Promise’ continues to cheer me up every time I’m use my front door! It’s been blooming since the end of February when I spotted some blooms peaking out above the 4′ snow drift. I watched with wonder as the snow melted to reveal the entire multi-stemmed shrub ablaze with lacy yellow blossoms. The photo above doesn’t do it justice (notice the tipped over bench from the snowplow). When the early morning sun glazes it I’ve been stopped in my frozen tracks just to admire it!
This plant is just a juvenile as it will grow to about 10′ tall and wide’. I’m counting on it to act like a small multi-stemmed tree to block out views of my neighbors house while treating the entire neighborhood to it warm yellow enticement!
Last week I visited the Boston Flower & Garden Show. I enjoyed the forced bulbs and flowering shrubs. Here’s a few highlights that I noted.
I liked this miniature island sans the ring-a-around pea stone. I could picture this an design element along a path or near a sitting area so one could really look at it. Though I’ve found the moss bit tricky to maintain unless the environment is just right. Sometimes it works better to create this kind of special place in an area where moss already grows.
I also liked this “tall” water feature with still water versus making this a fountain. At a couple of feet tall, birds would enjoy it and for parties one could float the occasional blossom or candle for effect.
APLD New England Chapter, of which I currently serve as President, awarded the Garden Design School our Landscape Award. The judging was blind so we didn’t know whose landscape we choose. Great work!
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