What Looks Good Now-Early February Promise

Welcome to the search for pretty and/or attractive currently on stage in the Fairegarden. Violas meet that criteria. The notes to self list had in caps and underlined, plant more violas in the fall. We did follow that helpful tip and the expectations are high for the late winter into spring-early summer showing to be the best ever. Under the arbor is a wire hanging basket filled with these beauties growing atop some half price daffodils, yet to emerge.

Speaking of daffodils, the earliest to bloom here are those that came with the property by the multitudes, thought to be N. Rijnveld’s Early Sensation but might be N. pseudonarcissus. This type, whatever they are, spring out of the cold earth with flower buds showing, ready to open during a spate of warm days. Born pregnant, as it were.

Fall of 2009 found us planting some new to us varieties of Muscari. We are awash in the little blue belled M. armeniacum, could be M. neglectum that was here already, so wanted to try a few more varieties. M. macrocarpum ‘Golden Fragrance’ was underwhelming in stature and scent, but holds more promise this, its second year.

Primroses from the grocery have been added each year after spending quality time in the greenhouse/sunroom. Offered around Valentine’s day and before, in bloom, we cannot resist the green crinkly eaves and sporty blooms. Planted in the more protected area under the garage deck stairs, they would bloom early each year. But that space turned out to be a slugfest, with those slimey critters feasting on the dainty delights without cessation. Slowly the primroses were moved out into the big brave world of garden beds, trying to find the most moist spots at the base of rock walls. This strategy has been a success, is the happy report.

Pink Malva unknown

Dianthus 'Little Boy Blue'

Geranium sanguineum

Digitalis obscura 'Sunset'

Various evergreen perennials are showing off with bright and colorful foliage.

The tree peonies are scouted for promising swelling of the more bulbous protuberances. P. suffruticosa ‘Hatsugarasu’ holds the most promise at present.

The leftover bits from the magnificent red maple tree Ferngully continue to make their presence felt with puff ball fungus popping up wherever the remains lie. The garden is quite desolete overall, don’t be mislead by the macro shots shown earlier. But there is hope aplenty, if one but knows where to look.

To think the addition of the native Yucca was resisted for many years (thanks Pam!) is a laugh, considering the joy that Y. filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ brings to the garden, with a side order of Sedum ‘Angelina ‘ (Jolie). Love the little pinky bit at the tips of both.

Out front, the group of five large blue pots holds five less brilliantly colored Yucca ‘Golden Sword’, still lovely though. (Yes, the pink blobs are the photographers slogger clad feet.)

While all of the above photos show a garden approaching spring with relish, winter is still heavy upon us. The scene could change quickly depending on the whims of the weather gods. We live in zone 7a, where winters are generally mild, unlike the more northernly zones whose landscapes can be blanketed in white for months with no sign of garden growth. Poufy white flakes descend on us as well sometimes, too. The exact same blue pot of Golden Sword as the shot before, taken January 11, 2010, is the proof in the snow pudding.

Frances