We all want to see color after a long dreary winter. However, what can we plant to get spring flowers sooner?
Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and the Arnold Promise Witch Hazel was on fire. It’s mid-march and I’ve already got a flowering tree in full bloom.
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel doesn’t have the showiest flowers but it does one thing very well. It is in full bloom when nothing else is, except for perhaps Crocus and Lenten Rose.
I enjoy the pre-spring flowers or Arnold Promise Witch Hazel. How could you not?
My nature-planted crocus are in full bloom. Crocus and Arnold Promise Witch Hazel are in the same time frame for succession of bloom. I’m in awe of Crocus every time I see them. The flowers may be covered by six inches of snow tomorrow.
The daffodils won’t be in bloom for another couple of weeks, give or take. I need to remove some of the shredded leaves I put on the plants last fall.
I have poppies emerging or simply growing. I don’t think poppies die back in the winter. They simply turn a little brown but maintain their vigor in the center of the foliage.
As dainty as poppy flowers appear they’re tough-as-nails plant that thrives in hot and dry locations. The photo below was taken in May or June.
My tulips are just beginning to emerge.
Here we are two days later and the temperature is in the low 30s F with two to five inches of heavy, wet snow forecast for today. Have I mentioned what a wonderful addition to the garden Arnold Promise Witch Hazel is?
Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities.
Barn Wood Bird House
Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel. I hope to purchase another larger birdhouse for the fence in my backyard. Visit Birdhouse Brokerage for more information.
Last year, I built a platform to put bird seed on and found a sign that says “This is our Happy Place” for it. When I saw the birdhouse at the flower show I immediately knew where to place it. The birdhouse looks great looking out the kitchen window.
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
My Arnold Promise Witch Hazel is in full bloom. I first noticed flowers on this small tree on February 16. That is ridiculously early because it has been a ridiculously mild winter.
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel isn’t a show-stopper. However, in late February with 5 inches of snow on the ground, there’s not much competition for the best tree in bloom.
The sunnier and warmer the weather the more witch hazel flowers become noticeable. Once the temperature goes above freezing and the sun shines Arnold Promise Witch Hazel looks like a different tree.
Heated Bird Bath in Snow
I like the contrast between the heated birdbath and the pile of snow on the unheated birdbath. A bird bath heater is a great service to the local avian population in addition to possums, raccoons and stray cats as a water source through the winter.
If you heat your bird bath keep in mind the colder the temperature the quicker the water will evaporate. When the temperature is below 20 degrees you can see a mist coming off the water.
America the Beautiful
The boxwood provides a green and white backdrop for the flag. I need to power wash the house this year!
Winter Wonderland
The depth of this picture excites me! Dragon Lady Holly in the foreground on the right, a tongue and groove cedar fence in the middle, and Emerald Green Arborvitae in the background.
Stray Cat in Snow
If you run your eye along the siding you’ll see Phantom watching me from a window well. I started feeding Phantom, and Snowball, last summer.
When we first met Phantom would hide in shadows or be within feet of me without me knowing it. He can be quite stealthy when he wants to be.
When I began feeding Phantom he wouldn’t eat until I was at least 50 feet away. Phantom now rolls on the ground in front of me hoping for pets and lives in our three-season room.
This morning I stepped outside for a breath of air and caught an Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) glowing in the warmth of the morning sun.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas are one of my favorite plants for several reasons.
First, the oak-shaped leaves create interest in the landscape all year.
Second, mid-summer blooms light up the landscape and persist until frost.
Third, the fall color of Oakleaf Hydrangeas is outstanding with glowing shades of oranges and reds.
Fourth, Oakleaf Hydrangeas are reasonably slow growers and seldom outgrow their space.
Fifth, Oakleaf Hydrangeas thrive in both sun and partial shade and tolerate dry conditions. If you need a 3-5 foot tall shrub for the shade garden think Oakleaf Hydrangea.
There are only two minor downsides to Oakleaf Hydrangeas I can think of.
First, Oakleaf Hydrangeas can be finicky when it comes to pruning.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas bloom on the previous season’s growth. If you prune them too early you risk removing the current year’s blooms and if you prune them too late you risk removing the next year’s blooms.
The winter habit of an Oakleaf Hydrangea below reveals you don’t have a lot to work with when it comes to pruning.
I’ve tried pruning Oakleaf Hydrangea both early and late with limited success.
I accept that if I prune more than a branch or two on an Oakleaf Hydrangea I may not get blooms this season or next season.
If I need to do a major pruning on an Oakleaf Hydrangea I prune immediately after bloom and still, I often lose out on most flowers the next year.
Second, some Oakleaf Hydrangeas, survive but don’t thrive. Like the one in this picture.
Admittedly, this plant is in dry, deep shade and that the shrub is growing at all is a miracle. However, I’m lucky to have a flower or two on this four-foot-tall shrub.
The interesting foliage, fall color and survivability are worth tolerating an Oakleaf Hydrangea with few or no flowers in my book.
My favorite cultivar of Oakleaf Hydrangea is Ruby Slippers. Watch the video below starting at 25:35 for why I love Ruby Slipper Oakleaf Hydrangea. I haven’t pruned this Ruby Slippers Hydrangea besides deadheading and the occasional branch or two for years.
Less is more when it comes to pruning Oakleaf Hydrangeas. Consider if you need to prune at all besides dead heading.
Below is a high-resolution image of my oakleaf hydrangea glowing in the morning sun. Click on the image to open it in a new tab.
The other day while eating at my favorite lunch spot I noticed a decaying hemlock with deciduous seedlings growing out of it, a nurse log.
Nurse logs are rotting logs that support tree seedlings. As the old tree decays it creates a seedbed for tree seedlings. The decomposing wood stays moist and provides organic matter for seedlings to grow.
There were Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) seedlings growing out of a Hemlock log (Tsuga canadensis).
Look through the opening in the brush to find the hemlock trunk on the right behind the stump.
The yellow birch parent grows about 80 feet away.
This nurse log is resting on a rocky ledge while we are in the middle of a drought. The yellow birch seedlings are thriving and show no signs of stress.
Below is a great video about nurse logs for more information.
Next time you’re walking through the forest and see a tree growing on a tree, or a nurse log, take a moment to appreciate the glory of nature.
No, it’s not an eatery, though if I had to choose one it would be Newtown Deli and Catering. The food is great but more than that the folks that work there give a sense of warmth and kindness.
I’m a big fan of the Fiesta Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs and Blue Cheese Dressing. I also enjoy their Italian Combo. I bring lunch to a local park which will remain nameless to preserve the peaceful spot.
About a quarter mile into the woods there is a slow, bubbling stream that fills the forest with the ever-so-gentle sound of running water.
There are a few glacial boulders at just the right height to sit on. I have a favorite spot, though today I moved to a different spot to get out of the sun. A ten-foot move gave a completely different perspective of the area.
While sitting on a boulder listening to the gentle stream I heard a symphony of bird calls through the forest. The bird calls were random yet rhythmic and you didn’t even notice them unless you listened.
After eating I took some photos to hone my skills. It took me twenty attempts to get the two photos in this post.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again.
Lunch lasted a couple of hours. When I left the forest the world was at peace and all concerns were washed away by the stream.
This morning the temperature is in the low 50s and the wind is howling. It feels like the low to mid-40s.
Last night was in the mid-30s, just barely above frost. I built a fire to take the chill out of the house.
Two days ago we had rain in the morning, overcast in the afternoon, and then more rain at night.
This weather is getting old. I’m getting tired of it.
I can’t say springtime in New England has ever been constant sun and temperatures in the 60s. However, this year has been one of the worst I can remember.
In the last month, we’ve had hail mixed with rain three separate times. The blustery days are non-stop.
I’ve picked up my potted plants almost daily.
I’d love one day in the low to mid-60s with the sun shining and no wind!
I had a meeting with a prospective client yesterday to discuss a design for the front of their home.
When I drove up their driveway one thought came to my mind.
This the most challenging space I will ever design.
I stepped out of my car looked at the landscape and the ideas started to flow. I couldn’t stop them.
How to hide an outlet in the middle of a landscape?Surround the outlet with impatiens and make the flowers a focal point. I get a lot of compliments on the pretty pink flowers, everyone thinks I planted the flowers there because they look pretty, not to hide the outlet.
Luckily, this landscape reminded me that I have a special set of skills.
This garden started as a square foot garden. Then I found this cool wire arch that fit between the beds perfectly. I added a hummingbird feeder and hummingbird-friendly plants. Every morning the hummingbird feeds and rests by wrapping its little feet around the wire of the arch.
After spending my life consciously, and subconsciously, learning plants, analyzing landscape and learning from my work I’m able to solve problems many cannot.
Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this. Please don’t mulch trees like this.
The truth of the matter is I don’t expect you to solve landscaping problems if you don’t have the time or the interest. That’s what I’m here for.
The number one tip on how to have a nicer lawn is to mow your lawn higher. A lot higher. A second tip is to make sure you have a sharp blade. These two tips will make a greater difference than any chemicals or irrigation system.
Just as a plumber solves problems with plumbing, a lawyer solves problems with the law and my wife solves the problem of where the Cheddar Cheese Sticks are.
I solve the problem of how to design and maintain your landscape.
Theo, our Great Pyrenees rescue, barks defiantly into the wickedness of the dark night.
Theo after a long night of saving humanity from the likes of Thanos, and rabbits.
Ever vigilant, Theo comes from a long line of guardians, livestock guardians. His breed has been trained for generations to bark at any sign of a threat to the herd. Whether that threat is a pack of wolves, wild dogs, or poachers.
Nightly, ever vigilant, Theo warns of the hazards caused by the cunning and ruthless Cottontail. Theo’s piercing eyes focus like lasers toward the woodline while his deep, throaty bark sends a final warning to the trespasser.
Not tonight Cottontail. Not tonight,” Roars Theo.
The Cottontail Rabbit. Stealthy, yes, but not stealthy enough for Theo.
Our supervillain, recognizing Theo’s cunning, strength, and sheer force of will has partnered with another malefactor. Will these dastardly scoundrels overpower our hero and enslave humanity? The balance of power in the world, lest I say the universe, is precariously perched on the razor’s edge.
Cottontails working in tandem to thwart Theo, Guardian of the Livestock. First. A snack!
Will these two Supervillains trick Theo after their reassurances not to attack? Will the offering of birdseed, avocados, and grapes tentatively keep the peace? How much can a bunny eat?
Peace. Such a fleeting concept, like a snowflake melting on your tongue on a cold winter’s day.
The supervillains feast on the offerings. Or are they preparing for their next attack?
For now, Theo’s nemeses feast rather than attack. The peace is held for one more day.
Can peace last?
Wait! What is that?
Did the Cottontails open a wormhole to the squirellebulous galaxy in the forestal quadrant? Is it yet another alien race seeking to enslave mankind?
Just when Theo defeats one supervillain a second emerges, and just in time for a Summer box office smash! Thank goodness it will be available for streaming during the pandemic. Squirrels and actors have to eat!
How can our hero; Theo, guardian of the livestock, defeat this new threat, the black squirrel? A villain capable of climbing to unseen heights and leaping incredible distances.
What defense can there be against such powers?
How much can one dog do?
Theo vows to always be there to save mankind. Ever vigilant.
Theo, the Great Pyrenees always ready to protect a herd of sheep, mankind, or go for a trip to the dump. Head out the window and tongue in the air, wagging his tail like he just don’t care.
In reality, Theo doesn’t take his job all that seriously.
Last night I set up the trail cam expecting to see opossums but I got two rabbits, a bunch of mouse eyes glowing in the darkness, and squirrels in the morning.
Theo does bark at the bunnies nightly, but it’s more of a half bark than a ‘Get off my lawn’ bark. Further, he frequently pauses to see if he can get a treat for coming inside.
Admittedly, sometimes Theo refuses to come into the house until he literally sees, or hears, the treat bag.
I saw the black squirrel at the end of last winter and spring but it stopped visiting. The cold weather and frozen ground have brought the squirrel back seeking food.
It’s very cool to see a black squirrel!
I don’t know the sex of the black squirrel but it has a mate. I hope they start a family.
I also got a cool photo of this grey squirrel eating an avocado.
I don’t know what the Merriam-Webster definition of being ‘A Creative’ is. I’m going to define it by what my gut tells me because that’s how creative people do things.
What is a Creative
Being a creative means that you have an artistic side and like to create artistic things. Artistic things can go in so many different directions; from music to poetry to graphic design to landscape design.
I could never touch on how many different types of creative people there are.
Creatives often have a side that connects with emotion. I wouldn’t be surprised if many creatives have an empathic nature.
Empaths can ‘feel’ emotion in anything; from a bird flying by to a hostile person honking in traffic.
The sad part of being an empath, and possibly a creative, is that emotions are felt on a much deeper level.
I don’t think all creatives are empathic, however, I believe many are.
Another part of being a creative is wanting what you create to be perfect. It’s not done until it’s perfect. There is always room for improvement. Especially if you are a creative.
I constantly see ways to improve things I created. Can the bed lines flow a little better? What if I use a plant that blooms later in the year? How can I hide that outlet?
These little tweaks are what make or break a landscape.
When I think of perfection I think of the Sistine Chapel. Did Michelangelo need to take it that far? As a creative, I know he had to.
Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right.
-Eric Clapton “Pretending”
The sad truth is perfection doesn’t exist. However, that doesn’t keep a creative from trying to achieve it.
The Downside to Being a Creative
I can’t turn it off. I am always analyzing the best way to do things.
When on vacation I observe the way plantings are arranged in the hope of learning something new.
When I see landscape contractors doing jobs I notice how they prepare the beds and which plants they are using.
I love walking around arboretums. They are one of the few places you can see how plants look after much time has passed.
The Upside to Being a Creative
There are two moments I find extremely fulfilling.
The first is the final day of a project. When all of the decisions have been made and I look at my art and know that it was all worth it.
The changes to the bedlines look magnificent, the paving material was just the right choice, the stepping stones are placed to provide access while feeling natural.
I get a rush on the final day of a project for another reason. I see the appreciation on my client’s face and nothing makes me happier.
The second time I get a rush is when I return to a landscape after a week, a month, a year, or more and I’m taking it in. All of the details I’ve worked through can be appreciated.
The Ugly Side to Being a Creative
Burnout.
That’s where I am now.
It stinks.
I’ve been working through a problem for months. It has nothing to do with being creative but it’s affecting my creativity.
I’m tapped out.
My intuition has been seeking a solution to a problem greater than a bed line or plant selection. A problem for which there is no answer.
Hopefully, I’ll reach acceptance and start to move forward.
There are plenty of sunny days coming.
This too shall pass.
I wrote this post a while ago. Today I’m posting it so others know they’re not alone.
